It’s Go Time! Ato Essandoh: A True Warrior On The Stage and Screen

Hustling with Vivica A. Fox

It’s your girl Vivica! I have a treat for you today dawlings! It’s my Season 2 Premiere episode of Hustling With Vivica A. Fox, and we are celebrating with 6’4”, Ivy League, 25 year acting career, sweet drink of water Ato Essandoh. It would take all day to go through his huge list of credits so here’s a few: you’ve seen Ato playing Tennis in Will Smith’s comedy “Hitch,” sharing the screen with Leo DiCaprio in “BLOOD DIAMOND,” being savagely mauled by dogs in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning film “DJANGO UNCHAINED” playing Dr. Matthew Freeman, the first black self-taught doctor in America, in BBC America’s “COPPER”, knockin’ it out of the park as corrupt CIA operative Craig Jeffers in the action thriller JASON BOURNE and stellar roles in VINYL, X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX, THE CODE, ALTERED CARBON, TALES FROM THE LOOP, CHICAGO MED and Netflix’s AWAY with Hillary Swank. We are talkin’ about working with straight legends- Mr. Smith, Mr. DiCaprio, Mr. Q.T. himself Quentin Tarantino, and the incredible Hillary Swank! We are gonna celebrate the good life: entertaining the people, y’all! The greatest job on Earth! So listen in and get in on the good times!

More About Ato: Born on a Saturday in late July in Schenectady New York, the first child of Ebow and Monica Essandoh did not have an official name. Ghanaian custom dictated that the new parents wait a week before divining a name during a traditional ceremony. Seven days hence, "Baby Boy Essandoh" became Ato Essilfi Bracato Essandoh. "Ato" meaning Saturday born, "Essilfi" after his grandfather, a beloved school teacher in Ghana, and finally "Bracato" a designation meaning "warrior."

While studying Chemical Engineering at Cornell University, Ato was dared by his college sweetheart to perform in a play. Years later, Ato still marvels at the experiences and opportunities that have been afforded to him since that fateful performance at Cornell.

From his beloved role as Titembay the affable and fastidious African exchange student in the indie classic GARDEN STATE; to his break out-role as Matthew Freeman, the brilliant Civil War doctor of BBC America's gritty crime series COPPER; to recurring roles on hit shows like HBO's GIRLS, and CBS’ ELEMENTARY and BLUE BLOODS, Ato has and continues to amass a broad and diverse range of roles proving himself to be a sought after emerging talent.

Ato host two podcasts: "Radio Zamunda: The Dope Sh*t", where Ato and a co-host introduce each other to fellow artists and discuss their journeys and “Unrelated: A Podcast.” where Ato and his childhood friend Chris discuss race, pop culture and their love for Ed Harris. For more: http://www.atoessandoh.com/

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