Actors from Ghana

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Ghanaians Actors of all time. This list of famous Ghanaians Actors is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Ghanaians Actors.

1. #1

   

   Peter Mensah

   b. 1959

   HPI 61.6127 langs

   Peter Mensah is most famously known as a Ghanaian-British actor (based in Canada) best recognized for his commanding role as Oenomaus (the...Read moreShow less

   Peter Mensah is most famously known as a Ghanaian-British actor (based in Canada) best recognized for his commanding role as Oenomaus (the honorable gladiator trainer "Doctore") in the Starz series Spartacus (2010–2013, across Blood and Sand, Gods of the Arena, and Vengeance), where his intense, principled performance became a fan favorite and highlighted his martial arts background. He gained wider Hollywood recognition for memorable supporting roles in blockbusters like the ill-fated Persian messenger in 300 (2006, famously kicked into the pit with "This is Sparta!"), Horse Clan Leader in Avatar (2009), and parts in Tears of the Sun (2003), Hidalgo (2004), The Incredible Hulk (2008), plus TV appearances in Star Trek: Enterprise, True Blood, Sleepy Hollow, and voice work in Transformers: Prime. Surprisingly, despite a career shift from engineering (working for British Gas developing gas fields) to acting in his 30s/40s after training in martial arts since age 6 and moving to Canada, he has maintained a steady presence in action, sci-fi, and fantasy genres into his late 60s (born 1959), with recent credits including Trust (2025) and mentions of upcoming projects like Gladiator II, while proudly representing his Ghanaian roots.

2. #2

   

   Hugh Quarshie

   b. 1954

   HPI 51.0320 langs

   Hugh Quarshie is most famously known as a Ghanaian-born British actor celebrated for his long-running role as Ric Griffin, the principled...Read moreShow less

   Hugh Quarshie is most famously known as a Ghanaian-born British actor celebrated for his long-running role as Ric Griffin, the principled consultant surgeon on the BBC medical drama Holby City (2001–2020), where he appeared in over 500 episodes as the show's longest-serving cast member, bringing gravitas to storylines involving ethics, personal loss, and medical crises. He gained international recognition for playing Captain Quarsh Panaka in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), as well as memorable supporting roles like the immortal Sunda Kastagir in Highlander (1986), Solomon in Doctor Who ("Daleks in Manhattan"/"Evolution of the Daleks," 2007), and stage work including the title role in the RSC's Othello (2015). Surprisingly, despite his classical training (Oxford-educated in PPE before switching to acting) and respected Shakespearean credentials as an RSC Associate Artist, he has remained active in his 70s—appearing in recent projects like The Capture series 3 (as Commissioner Cameron Yates, announced 2026), Silent Witness (upcoming 2026 episode), and the 2025 West End production Mary Page Marlowe—while also advocating for Black British representation in theater and tracing his Ghanaian ancestry on Who Do You Think You Are?.

3. #3

   

   Akosua Busia

   b. 1966

   HPI 45.8821 langs

   Ghanaian-born British actress and songwriter

4. #4

   

   Dzifa Gomashie

   b. 1965

   HPI 42.7815 langs

   Dzifa Gomashie is most famous for her work as a former actress in Ghana and her subsequent career as a politician. She has been involved in...Read moreShow less

   Dzifa Gomashie is most famous for her work as a former actress in Ghana and her subsequent career as a politician. She has been involved in various political roles, including serving as a Member of Parliament.

5. #5

   

   Ama K. Abebrese

   b. 1980

   HPI 40.9518 langs

   Ghanaian Actress, television presenter, producer.

6. #6

   

   Lydia Forson

   b. 1984

   HPI 38.5220 langs

   Ghanaian actress, writer and producer

7. #7

   

   Nadia Buari

   b. 1982

   HPI 35.1514 langs

   Nadia Buari is a Ghanaian actress best known for her roles in popular Nollywood films and her work in the Ghanaian film industry. She gained...Read moreShow less

   Nadia Buari is a Ghanaian actress best known for her roles in popular Nollywood films and her work in the Ghanaian film industry. She gained widespread recognition for her performances in movies such as "Beyonce: The President's Daughter" and has received several awards for her acting.

8. #8

   

   Nana Ama McBrown

   b. 1977

   HPI 34.0114 langs

   Nana Ama McBrown is a Ghanaian actress and media personality best known for her roles in popular Ghanaian films and television series, as...Read moreShow less

   Nana Ama McBrown is a Ghanaian actress and media personality best known for her roles in popular Ghanaian films and television series, as well as her work as a television host. She has gained significant recognition for her contributions to the entertainment industry in Ghana.

9. #9

   

   Joselyn Dumas

   b. 1980

   HPI 33.7215 langs

   Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian television host and actress best known for her roles in popular Ghanaian films and television series, as well as...Read moreShow less

   Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian television host and actress best known for her roles in popular Ghanaian films and television series, as well as for hosting the entertainment talk show "The One Show." She has gained recognition for her contributions to the Ghanaian entertainment industry and her engaging on-screen presence.

10. #10

    

    Yvonne Nelson

    b. 1985

    HPI 33.3418 langs

    Ghanaian model, actress, film producer, author and entrepreneur