10-of-10s: 10 Ultimate Ghallywood Actors of the 2010s

Finally, it’s the last in the 10-of-10s series. If you haven’t, then check out the list of 10 Ultimate Nollywood Actors of the 2010s at the link, and follow the entire series HERE

Just like Nollywood has the actresses, Ghallywood has the actors. The following is a list of top 10 Ghanaian actors (with international appeal… i.e. the one’s we know of in Nollywood) according to talent.

P.S.: I was going to add Agya Koo to this list but turns out I haven’t seen enough Agya Koo movies to rank him, but if I had then #10 would probably be out and Agya Koo would be in.

10. CHRIS ATTOH: The quintessential fine boy of the Ghanaian industry, well after Majid and Van, has been in every other big Ghallywood production in the past couple of years so much so that his name has now become a household name.

Why is Chris #10?

Why? Mainly because I don’t know where to slot Agya Koo or he wouldn’t be on the list at all. I believe Chris is mostly a pretty face before anything else, and even after that he’s still a media personality before he’s an actor.

9. PRINCE DAVID OSEI: Prince David entered the Ghallywood scene alongside the likes of Majid and Van Vicker. Back when a majority of the Nollywood audience was watching Ghanaian movies, most were watching Prince.

Why is Prince #9?

I’m personally not the biggest Prince David Osei fan; in fact, I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum most of the times. However, I can’t deny that sometimes once in a blue moon he tries on screen like in “I Sing of a Well“.

8. ECOW SMITH ASANTE: Though not as popular as his counterparts, a select few can still recognize Mr. Asante on screen and even though even fewer know his name, Mr. Asante is still a strong part of the Ghallywood industry (at least the one we know of)

Why is Ecow #8?

Most people don’t like him as an actor, I don’t know why but I personally like Ecow. Mr. Asante isn’t exactly Leonardo DiCaprio on screen but he definitely gives a convincing performance from scene to scene.

7. VAN VICKER: We fell in love with him after “Beyonce, the President’s daughter” and some girls still have his posters on their wall, his photos on their screen, and his images as wallpapers.

Why is Van #7?

Cos I’ve never really felt Van was much of an actor *pause* that’s a huge lie. I used to be one of those girls I described but as time passed his beauty waned in my head and I started watching his movies for performance. That’s when I realized that there really wasn’t much performance going on.  He’s improving as the days go by and that’s why he’s number 7

6. JAMES GARDINER: The new kid on the block has taken Ghallywood by storm.

Why is James #6?

James came and filled a void that would have ordinarily been filled by John Dumelo. Because I felt John was becoming a bit complacent, he was not holding any appeal with that near pot belly of his and his role choices were getting worse by the day. And along comes James in all his Tall, Dark and Handsome splendor. With fresh determination and zeal that you could see from movie to movie. James is #6 as opposed to 5 because even though John is complacent nowadays, John has a body of work with more variety than James does.

5. JOHN DUMELO: The tall, dark and handsome prince of Ghallywoood. Since his days as the king in “the king is mine” he has come very far as an actor

Why is John #5?

Once upon a time, John would have been #3 or even #2 but in recent times his role choices have gone from bad to worse and that’s not even the real issue. When he had actual concrete roles in near-good movies, he was complacent (for lack of a better word). All NR reviews of his performance always had the signature phrase “John Dumelo did as John Dumelo does” that people even started filling it in for me in case I forgot to say it.

4. SENANU GBEDAWO: Some still don’t know the name but if you watched “The Adams Apples” then you definitely recognize the face.

Why is Senanu #4?

From “Checkmate” to “Adams Apples”, Senanu continuously reinforces his prowess as an actor and I feel the only way to go from here is up.

3. ARTUS FRANK: Though originally from Liberia (I think), Artus is more easily affiliated with Ghallywood than with Nollywood and it’s for that reason he’s on this list.

Why is Artus #3?

In as much as I can’t get past his speech, I can’t deny that Artus is an incredibly strong actor. I once said jokingly in a review that “if you watch Artus on mute, it’s an entirely different appeal”, and that’s the truth. Take away the annoying speech factor, Artus is an incredible actor.

2. ADJETEY ANANG: You can call him the silent prince of Ghallywood because he doesn’t make that much noise, doesn’t appear in that many movies but when he does his presence is felt.

Why is Adjetey #2?

Because no list is complete without Mr. Anang. Everytime I see him on screen it all seems so natural for him, not to mention that he’s one of the few Ghanaian actors that I can’t fault for ridiculous roles (well… not as many as the others at least).

1. MAJID MICHEL: How Majid’s media persona switched from ‘the other skinny boy’ to the face of the Ghanaian movie industry is still a mystery to me, however whatever he has achieved in popularity is definitely well deserved in light of his talent.

Why is Majid #1?

Because who else would be number one except the ruthless militant leader of Kimbala (Somewhere in Africa). If the movie, “Somewhere in Africa” did anything for me, it’s show me the other side of Majid. Majid is number one because he can be the lover boy as easily as he can be a heartless mass murderer.

DO YOU AGREE? HOW WOULD YOU ORDER THEM?