Actor | Singer | Content Creator - On Stage & On Set
I am Fred Nii Amugi, a Ghanaian born veteran actor who is best known for my outstanding performances in popular movies such as Holby City, Beasts of No Nation, and The Cursed Ones. I was born on November 5th, 1948 in Teshie, Accra, Ghana. I attended Broaks Basic and Junior High School before moving on to Takoradi Senior High School and Nungua Senior High School.
During my last year at Nungua Secondary School, the late Nick Teye, who used to work at Ghana Films, saw my potential and decided to give me a chance to play a character in a stage performance. That was how my acting journey started. I joined the civil service and served as acting director of Supply in Ghana's Ministry of Finance for thirty-three years. However, my passion for acting never died, and I began my acting career in 1970 in drama and documentaries until 1985 when I landed my breakthrough role in the television series "Opinto". This role brought me into the limelight, and I have since appeared in numerous movie roles, including local Ghanaian movies such as Shoe Shine Boy (2013), Nyame Bekyere 1&2 (2015), Menua Paa Nie (2016), and Housekeepers (2016). My first international role came in 2005 when I played the character Kwame Attakora in the BBC drama Holby City. I later starred in the 2015 Netflix movie, Beasts of No Nation as "Pastor". In the same year, I played the character Pastor Uchebo in the British award-winning movie "The Cursed Ones". I have been nominated for and won several movie awards, including the Accra International Film Festival's Best Actor award in 1994, the Order of the Volta in 2008, and the Golden Movie Awards in 2016.
For the past four to five years, I have been quite busy with several productions, including The Recruitment and the upcoming Track on a Train, which is written and directed by Major Divine Jones. However, the biggest question on my mind is the lack of cinemas, and I have noticed that many professional filmmakers are moving on to other things.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced initially, and how did you overcome them?
As an actor, I faced numerous challenges early in my career, including a lack of opportunities, financial constraints, and societal expectations. In Ghana, acting was not seen as a viable career path, and it was difficult to make a living solely from acting. I had to work other jobs to support myself while pursuing my passion for acting.
Another significant challenge was the limited access to training and resources for actors. There were very few schools or institutions offering acting courses, and as a result, I had to rely on my talent and passion to improve my skills.
To overcome these challenges, I remained committed to my passion for acting, and I constantly sought out opportunities to improve my skills.
I took on small roles and volunteered to act in stage performances to gain experience and exposure. I also attended workshops and seminars to learn from experienced actors and directors.
I also made it a priority to network with industry professionals and build relationships with other actors and filmmakers. This helped me to get noticed by casting directors and producers, leading to more significant opportunities.
Despite the challenges I faced, I never lost sight of my dreams and remained determined to succeed as an actor. With hard work, dedication, and persistence, I was able to overcome these obstacles and achieve success in my career.
What advice would you offer to young people who are just starting their careers or pursuing their passions, both locally and internationally?
As someone who has pursued my passion for acting and has had a successful career, I would like to offer the following advice to young people who are just starting their careers or pursuing their passions, both locally and internationally:
Stay committed: Pursuing your passion requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It's important to stay committed to your goals, even when faced with setbacks or challenges.
Be open to learning: No matter how talented you are, there is always room for improvement. Be open to learning from others, attending workshops, and seeking out opportunities to gain experience and build your skills.
Network: Building relationships with other professionals in your field can open up opportunities and help you to grow your career. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with others through social media.
Embrace your uniqueness: Don't try to be someone else or fit into someone else's idea of success. Embrace your unique talents and abilities and use them to create your own path.
Be patient: Success takes time, and there will be ups and downs along the way. Be patient and keep working hard, and eventually, you will achieve your goals.
Give back: As you grow your career or pursue your passion, remember to give back to your community and those who have helped you along the way. Use your success to make a positive impact on others.
In summary, pursuing your passion or starting a career requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Be open to learning, build relationships with others in your field, embrace your uniqueness, be patient, and give back to your community. With these principles in mind, you can achieve success both locally and internationally.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredamugi/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fredniiamugi/
Connecting with heritage and supporting small business owners: