If you ever thought your favorite movie stars had their breakthrough with their first action scream by a director on set, then you are wrong. Just as in any career path it takes time to gain recognition and be called a pro in the game so was the story of our A-list screen icons.
Dating back to the 1940s and 50s before the ‘Big six’ came into the scene, the entire governance of the country then Gold Coast, was handled by the British. In the history of Ghallywood, it was obviously the same in the early 2000s after the demise of the lead actress, Suzzy Williams, who was rubbing shoulders with the Nollywood contenders for the big screen in film.
A huge percentage of Ghallywood lovers took interest in Nollywood films with less regard for Ghallywood. However, the Nollywood take-over did not last forever as our rescuers came in to claim ownership of the industry. You’ve probably seen them in countless of movies in both Ghana, Nigeria and beyond and fell in love with the character they played. But before the whole rush for their audience at events and other corporate gatherings, these stars played a particular role in a particular movie that caused them to be household names now.
Today we look back at the one role they played that made them who they are today in film.
- Jackie Appiah
AMAA award winning actress, Jackie Appiah plays the role of a young and naïve girl in the 30-minute telecast movie ‘Things we do for Love’. Her dilemma with pregnancy as a young lady by the hit-and-run rascal Pusher, played by Adjetey Annan served as a buttress to her amazing acting talent on screen causing her name to be left on the lips of many. Jackie stars in the upcoming movie ‘Red Carpet’ produced by Samira Yakubu and directed by Frank Rajah.
2. Nadia Buari
After starring in Games People Play in 2005 and Mummy’s Daughter in 2006, Actress Nadia Buari was on the rise to conquer the cinemas, but as to whether or not she was in to stay was unknown and shaky. Her portrayal as a president’s daughter in the Venus film produced movie ‘Beyonce’ in mid-2006 was finally her assurance of becoming a firm contender on screen. The mother of four stars alongside Prince David in the movie ‘Hashtag’ which hits cinemas in October.
3. John Dumelo
Make way for the King! Of Doduala is coming. After making his acting debut at age 7 in the movie ‘Baby Thief’, John took a halt from acting per his parents’ orders. His return onto the big screen in 2008 by scoring a lead role as a King in ‘The King is Mine’ added him to the handful of male actors that were dominating then in the movie industry. The recently married man stars in the 2018 released comedy movie ‘Before the Vows’.
4. Majid Michel
Actor now turned pastor raised the bar of the bad boy emulation on screen in the movie ‘Crime to Christ’. Majid became the talk of many and left audience who watched the movie at the comfort of their homes in awe! His role as a bad boy in the movie fetched him the title as Master of bad boys in the movie industry. Majority of the roles he played after the sell-out of Crime to Christ depicted him as a bad boy in the likes of Playboy, Heart of men and more. The Somewhere in Africa actor returns to cinemas on Friday with the movie, ‘Sunset at Noon’.
6. Yvonne Nelson
Royalty never looked beautiful until a young beautiful princess showed up on our screens. The House of Gold actress Yvonne Nelson after previously starring in The Return of Beyonce was less popular in cinemas until her first major role as Princess Tyra. Yvonne since then has added to her tally of playing lead roles in films. Yvonne stars in the upcoming movie ‘My Husband and I’.
7. Van Vicker
In the 2006 hit movie ‘Mummy’s Daughter’, actor Van Vicker stole the hearts of many with his gentle performance as a young rich boy torn in choosing a wife between two sisters. His sizzling performance as Fred in the movie added to his charm as Africa’s fine boy making him the preference of many in cinemas. Van is currently President of Ghana’s Actors Guild, a portfolio which sets him on a different level in the Ghanaian movie industry.
8. Yvonne Okoro
Coming in as a replacement to play a supporting role as Ciara in the movie ‘Beyonce’ the question of, can she pull it off Just as the previous actor, Jackie Appiah did with the character? Yvonne playing the role in her own unique way penetrated into the hearts of the Ciara fans by becoming their favorite at the end of the movie. The two-time AMAA nominee has over the years become one of Africa’s most sought-after actress of all time. The soon to be lawyer is set to complete her law studies later this year.
9. Adjetey Annan
Making Ghana proud with his two nominations at the recently announced AMVCA nominees’ list. Adjetey took over the screens of Ghana in the hit series, ‘Things we do for Love’. Few knew his real name as his actual name Adjetey was covered up with the character name Pusher. Adjetey is nominated for an AMVCA best actor drama in a lead role with the movies Side Chic Gang and Keteke.
