Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante Erskine could have been a chief.
Hailing from a long line of royalty in Kwahu Tafo, the path to chieftaincy was his for the taking.
However, he chose a different stage, captivating audiences across Britain and Ghana with his commanding presence and comedy prowess, leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most beloved characters.
A surprising choice
Born in Accra on November 4, 1941, Asante was destined for the stool. However, his passion lay in performance. At age 26, he moved to the United Kingdom in 1967 and formally trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
The chieftaincy he declined was later taken up by his friend, the television producer, Humphrey Barclay.
Asante became a familiar face on British television under the name Christopher Asante. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, he appeared in popular series such as Space: 1999, Hazell, and The Professionals.
A role that established his name in the limelight was when he appeared in the hit British sitcom, ‘Mind Your Language’, where he showcased his comedic skills.
He played Roger Kenyon, a sharp-witted inspector for the local education authority, whom the flustered Mr Brown mistakes for a new African student from Kenya and treats him like a student.
The memorable episode ended with the impressed inspector praising Brown’s teaching methods.
His film work included a role as the minister in the beloved 1983 Bill Forsyth film, Local Hero.
In 1989, Asante landed the role that would define his career. In the popular TV series ‘Desmond’s’, set in a barbershop in Peckham, his character, Matthew, a wise and calm Gambian student who served as a moral compass, often provided the solution to the episode’s chaos.
The character broke stereotypes and made Asante an icon of representation and warmth.
A Befitting End
In 1995, Asante returned to his roots in Ghana, where his contributions to the arts were officially recognised with an appointment as a cultural ambassador.
Asante passed away on August 2, 2000, at the age of 58 in Accra, and his funeral was held in his ancestral village of Tafo Kwahu, bringing his remarkable journey to a close in the very community from which his royal lineage sprang.
In a full-circle moment, the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where he got his first acting education, established the “Gyearbuor Asante Prize for Acting” in his honour.
Though his life was cut short, Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante Erskine’s legacy is enduring.
From a potential chief in Ghana to a cherished actor in the UK, he used his talent to bridge cultures and bring laughter, ensuring his memory remains as warm and lasting as his most famous performance.
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