After his return to his native country in 1995, the actor was named Ghana's Cultural Ambassador for Services to Acting. Normans ill health was actually the reason the sitcom came to an end. But the aspiring thespian rejected the role ruling himself out of inheriting the title. Bitten by the acting bug Asante headed for the UK in 1967 to study at Mountview Academy Theatre of Arts. Gyearbuor Asante keeps his personal and love life private. He was an actor, known for Desmond's (1989), Local Hero (1983) and The Dogs of War (1980). He was born on November 4, 1941 and his birthplace is Accra. He went on to star in hit films such as Dogs Of War and Local Hero before landing the role in the Channel 4 show Desmonds that would make him a household name. After leaving the show, actor Dominic Keating appeared in Inspector Morse and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The old-fashioned father was usually seen telling off his kids, playing dominoes and watching his beloved West Indies play cricket. Unlike the rest of the Ambrose family, he was not introduced until the second episode, when Shirley suggested that Desmond go to the bank and get a loan to renovate the shop. As part of the proceedings Barclay was paraded around the village on peoples shoulders for 25 minutes, accompanied by drumming, dancing and a brass band. But the aspiring thespian rejected the role ruling himself out of inheriting the title. It was a great privilege," he recalls. Barclay, the only obruni (white man) present, had all this translated for him. Denis Lawson, Norman Chancer, Alex Norton, Jenny Seagrove, Peter Capaldi, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, Gyearbuor Asante, Christopher Rozycki, Jennifer Black, Burt Lancaster, Rikki Fulton, Bill Forsyth See more: Language: English: Runtime: . Hes set to appear as Detective Shepherd, according to iMDB. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Lets check,How Rich is K, Simon Northwood estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. And when the series ended in 1994, Ghanaian actor Gyearbuor Asante left a lasting legacy for black British comedy alongside co stars Norman Beaton, Carmen Munroe and Ram John Holder. His next major role was as Lieutenant Malcolm Reed in Star Trek: Enterprise for four seasons. Hes also appeared in everything from Killing Eve and Eastenders to Doctors and Holby City. He also appeared in shows like A Family Affair, Mind Your Language and The Professionals. This article about a Ghanaian actor is a stub. Little haircutting was seen in his South London salon. Gyearbuor was 58 years old at the time of death. Gyearbuor Asantes height Unknown & weight Not Available right. Actor Robbie Gee has occupied a wealth of roles since Desmonds ended, including appearing in the 2019 film Military Wives and the 2017 family hit Paddington 2. During his run in the programme, Asante reverted to his name as at birth. He came from Tafo, Kwahu, in Ghana's Eastern Region but rather . The youngest member of the family, Sean had a love for rapping and getting in trouble with his dad. Jade Garrett Born in Accra, Ghana, in 1941, Asante moved to Britain 26 years later with the intention of acting and changed his professional name to Christopher Asante. Conor Lenihan Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, Linn Gosse Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, Addison Rae Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, PewDiePie Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, Laura Vrabie Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, Piper Rockelle Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography, Selena Gomez Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Biography. He got his nickname from the iconic porkpie hat he wore in the series. There's MUCH more where that came from! He retired from the show in December 1994 and moved back to Guyana - just as his character Desmond was doing the same. Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 - 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best remembered for his role in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond's, in which he played the role of Gambian mature student Matthew. He played in a calypso band in Guyana before he moved to London in 1960, and was originally a teacher - even teaching pupils briefly in Liverpool. The shows, Empire Strikes Black and Strictly Come Laughing galas relied on thephenomenal goodwill of stars from all over the black comedy circuit, who always gave their services entirely free of charge, he recalls. The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977) - African Delegate. But actress Carmen Munroe remained resolutely in Britain, making waves on stage and screen - even going as far as to receive an OBE in the 2007 Queens Birthday Honours List for her services to drama. Revealing his most treasured memories are of working on the show with Gyearbuor, he said: "He was wickedly funny, passionate about acting, and, as one of his admirers said, full of grace'.". The Strange Case of the End of Civilisation As We Know It. Real name Augustus Neapolitan Cleveland Grant, the lollipop man liked playing dominoes and drinking rum in Desmond's shop. Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante died on 2nd August 2000 at age 58. But as development chief for a whole community you are engaged in everything from lavatories to music! All good things must come to an end and in the final series, hellfire preachers, demonic computer games and hellish weather conspire to bring down Desmond but, as always, he came up smiling. Browse Gyearbuor Asante movies and TV shows available on Prime Video and begin streaming right away to your favorite device. Something went wrong, please try again later. Lets check,How Rich, All You Need To Know About Angela Madatyan, All You Need To Know About Juwan Gutierrez. He was born on November 4, 1941 and his birthplace is Accra. Tweet. And as with my television work, what charms me is being involved in the development of talent.. Gyearbuor sadly passed away in Ghana in 2000 Sadly, he died in 2000 in the capital city of Accra and his funeral was held in his ancestral village. LAND ROVER has been ordere, Cycling: Tour de France Armstrong defeats fatigue to secure famous If interested, please click the below button to complete the subscription form. Robbies latest project is The Kindred, which is currently in post-production. However the TV producer says accepting the title was all about honouring his late friend who he knew over several decades. But Barclay enthusiastically set about his task. Born November 4, 1941 Died August 2, 2000 (58) Add to list Known for Desmond's 7.8 TV Series Matthew 1989-1994 69 eps Local Hero 7.3 Its been more than 25 years since Channel 4s longest running sitcom, Desmonds, ended. Susu was deported back to Jamaica in the fourth series, but popped up again in Porkpie after finding out her fiance had won the lottery - and running off with her current husbands savings and passport! But Gyearbuor Asante personal Life is not available to us. Gyearbuor Asante - Matthew Gyearbuor sadly passed away in 2000 (Image: Channel 4) Norman Beaton's wasn't the only tragic death to come out of the Desmond's cast. The chieftaincy role Barclay was offered was the oneGyearbuor was given but died before he could accept. Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 - 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best remembered for his role in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond's, in which he played the role of Gambian mature student Matthew. Michael learned the hard way that there are more important things to life than money. He went on to star in hit films such as Dogs Of War and Local Hero before landing the role in the Channel 4 show Desmonds that would make him a household name. The decision to bestow Barclay with the title was a landmark for the Ghanaian town as he was the first ever white man to be given the role. He returned to Tafo a year later for the ceremony or enstoolment as it is known. He was seen in all six series of the programme, the channels most successful home- grown sitcom. A "Gyearbuor Asante Prize for Acting" was subsequently instituted at the academy following his death. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. In 1983, Asante was a co-founder of Humphrey Barclay Productions, which made programmes for the newly launched Channel 4. Any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your continued support. Instead, West Indians used it as a meeting-place, to socialise and philosophise on life. He also played the minister in the 1983 film Local Hero. He had numerous theatre, film and television appearances to his credit and was perhaps best known as the African student Matthew in the hugely successful Channel 4 sitcom, Desmond's, produced by Humphrey Barclay. Copyright GV Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. The programmes blend of black, British and intergenerational comedy won it many viewers and several major awards. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Desmonds (1989-94) was one of its most successful series, starring the legendary black actor Norman Beaton as the grumpy Desmond Ambrose. An Inspector Calls. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. We have Covered Gyearbuor Asante many things and Facts above, but there are some more Faqs mentioned below. And since starring in Desmonds and its short-lived - but much loved - spin-off, Ram John has gone on to appear in everything from The Story of Tracy Beaker to Eastenders. He returned to his home country shortly after Desmonds ended, where he was named Ghanas Cultural Ambassador for Services to Acting. The chieftaincy role Barclay was offered was the oneGyearbuor was given but died before he could accept. Let's check, How Rich is Si, Michael Evans Behling estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. He returned to the West End stage, keeping a low profile while his wife June Brown became famous as a soap star. Actress Mona Hammond, who was born in Jamaica like her character, received an OBE for services to drama in 2005. HE SHOT to fame in the late 1980s playing Gambian long term mature student Matthew in the hit Channel 4 comedy series Desmonds. Birthday: November 4, 1941 Date of Death: August 2, 2000 Age at Death: 58 Live Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States Gyearbuor Asante - Biography We'd like to keep in touch with you regarding our daily newsletter, Voice competitions, promotions and marketing material and to further increase our reach with The Voice readers. Jay Merrick We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Gyearbuor Asantes birthday is on 4- Nov -1941 and was born on Tuesday. Month. Also among his acting credits is Prison Break, Sons of Anarchy, Casualty and Holby City. In Porkpie, the Desmonds spin-off, it was revealed that his character had died around 11 months before the first episode aired. The actor had tremendous experience in the international film industry because he lived between Ghana and the United Kingdom. . While wanting to stay in Britain, it was revealed in spin-off series Porkpie that she had gone back to live in Guyana. Highlighted works . I met Gyearbuor (or Christopher as he was known in UK then) in 1972, when he was doing such shows as Crown Court on ITV and so on," he recalls. Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 - 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best remembered for his role in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond's, in which he played the role of Gambian mature student Matthew.. Life and career. FamousFix profile for Gyearbuor Asante including biography information, wikipedia facts, photos, galleries, news, youtube videos, quotes, posters . Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Shirleys ignorant sister Susu went on to be Porkpies fiance in the show - and despite only appearing in four episodes, will definitely stick in most fans minds. But he rejected the role in favour of moving to the UK to pursue acting - and ruled himself out of inheriting the title. Remember the classic show 'The Desmonds'? Sadly, he died in 2000 in the capital city of Accra and his funeral was held in his ancestral village. Its a commom question. Barbershop customer Matthew - an eternal mature student who would ditch the books to spend his time in the shop - was played by Gyearbuor Asante, who sadly passed away in 2000. While he wasn't the best barber in town, Desmond and his family left us all in stitches with their antics across six series. Since Desmonds ended, there have been regular calls to bring the show back. Shirley was Desmond's wife and mother to their three children. He was an actor, known for Desmond's (1989), Local Hero (1983) and The Dogs of War (1980). He is however still in touch with many of the cast. Gyearbuor has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on November 4, 1941. Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best known for his portrayal as Matthew a mature student from Gambia in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmonds. Everyone's favourite character, Porkpie got his nickname from the hat he always wore. 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Your financial contributions are essential to protect the future of the publication as we strive to help raise the profile of the black communities across the UK. The iconic sitcom even launched a successful spin-off, Porkpie - centred around Desmonds best friend - from 1995 to 1996. Gyearbuor Asante (4 November 1941 - 2 August 2000) was a Ghanaian actor best known for his portrayal as Matthew a mature student from Gambia in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond's. Asante was born in Accra Ghana and grew up in Accra. Frederick Christopher Kwabena Gyearbuor Asante was a Ghanaian actor best remembered for his role in the Channel 4 situation comedy Desmond"s, in which he played the role of Gambian mature student Matthew. 1977. Gyearbuor Asante was born on 4 November 1941 in Accra, Gold Coast [now Ghana]. He had never visited Tafo, which is a three-hour drive north-west of the capital Accra. On Depthbio.com, Gyearbuor is listed as a successful Actor who was born in the year of 1941. Copyright 1994 - 2023 GhanaWeb. Barbershop customer Matthew - an eternal mature student who would ditch the books to spend his time in the shop - was played by Gyearbuor Asante, who sadly passed away in 2000. The money went to Friends of Tafo, the UK charity that was established after Gyearbuor's passing. All rights reserved. Wheeler-dealer Peckham Prince Lee was like an adoptive son to Desmond and Shirley, though he was intent on making a profit off the barbershop regulars.