Ghanaian actor Ato Essandoh joins Oscars Voting Academy

Ghanaian actor, Ato Essandoh has been invited to join the Oscars Voting Academy.

The ‘Jason Bourne’ actor’s invite is amongst a record 928 invitations sent out by the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences early this week.

The number is higher than the 774 invitations sent out last year as part of efforts to diversify its ranks following the #OscarsSoWhite controversy year in 2014.

The 2018 list includes Tiffany Haddish, Wendell Pierce, Dave Chappelle and Kendrick Lamar.

Essandoh is known for his roles in critically acclaimed movies ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Jason Bourne’ and ‘Blood Diamonds.’

He also played Matthew Freeman, a doctor of BBC America’s gritty crime series COPPER, recurring roles on hit shows like HBO’s GIRLS, and CBS’ ELEMENTARY and BLUE BLOODS.

He was born in Schenectady, New York, USA to Ghanaian parents and named Ato Essilfi Bracato Essandoh. He studied Chemical Engineering at Cornell University where he was dared by his college sweetheart to perform in a play.

Photo below of Essandoh’s reaction to the Academy’s invite.

Wow. I’m sincerely honored. Thank you. ??#academyofmotionpictureartsandsciences

A post shared by Ato Essandoh (@atoessandoh) on Jun 26, 2018 at 11:09am PDT