Renowned stage actor and voiceover artist Andrew Tandoh-Adote recently opened up about how he was forced into his unexpected role in the hit Hollywood film “Beasts of No Nation.”
Speaking to Abrantepa on GhanaWeb TV’s Talkertainment, he narrated how in 2015, a team from Hollywood came to Ghana to scout for actors, and Tandoh-Adote, known for his work with Roverman Productions, was approached to audition.
However, he had to decline the role due to conflicting schedules, leading to his being called by an acting coach.
“Around the time we auditioned, there was no play that we were rehearsing for. But somehow, they kept shifting the dates. So when I auditioned and got the role, when I was informed that I had gotten the role, we were already hot in rehearsals for another play that we were going to do. So it became a bit of a difficult thing to manage. So what I told them was, I can’t do it. They should find someone else.
“One lady, one of the acting coaches who had come to help the kids, called me and tried to convince me to be part of the film and that it was important because it would be good on my resume. I said I didn’t know what a resume was. I didn’t care. She said it would go on my IMDb. I said I didn’t know what IMDb was. I didn’t care. She tried talking to me, but I said, I’m sorry, I can’t do it. She should find someone else,” he said.
Despite that, and much to his surprise, he was still sought after by the film’s director.
He eventually agreed after an agreement with the CEO of Roverman Productions, Uncle Ebo Whyte.
“I got a call from the Ghanaians who worked with them; what have I smeared on my face? I said, what are they talking about? They said, ‘Oh, now the director himself has called that they should make sure I am in the film.’ So that means, they are not taking no for an answer. I finally said, ‘Okay.’ So I went to see my boss, Uncle Ebo Whyte, and we worked out something,” he added.
Reflecting on the opportunity, he noted that although his role in the film was brief and did not offer significant financial rewards, he found the experience valuable.
“I thought it was weird because my appearance in the film didn’t last more than five minutes. Did it pay? No, it was a very small rule. I think the big money went to the big cast, but it was a very small role, and it was fine,” he said.
See the full interview below:
