Ato Essilfi Bracato Essandoh (born July 29, 1972) is an American television and film actor. He has appeared in numerous films and TV series, including a major role in the 2023 Netflix political drama series The Diplomat.
Early life and education Ato Essilfi Bracato Essandoh was born in Schenectady, New York, on July 29, 1972, the eldest child of Ebow and Monica Essandoh, from Ghana.
He graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1990. He received a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University. He first joined theater when he was dared to do so by a girlfriend.
He studied acting under James Price at The Acting Studio - New York in New York City.
Career In 2020 Essandoh launched a podcast, Unrelated, together with childhood friend Chris Cecot, in which they discuss how race and color shaped their experiences growing up. In the same year, he played an African-British-Jewish astronaut in the 2020 Netflix scifi drama series Away.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2001 The Experience Box Daniel The Accident Cassius Short 2002 Roger Dodger Bouncer2004 Garden State Titembay Salome King Herod Short Saving Face Jay, The Neighbor2005 Hitch Tanis Prime Damien Dawn's Early Light James Short2006 Falling for Grace Jamal Brother's Shadow Soy Blood Diamond Commander 'Rambo' 2007 Millennium Crisis Harkness2008 Mia and the Migoo Baklava (voice) English dub Nights in Rodanthe Jean's Lover2010 Get Him to the Greek Smiling African Drummer Camp Hell Young Priest2011 Tu & Eu Dr. Champagne Short Art & Sex Daniel2012 The Discoverers Winston Django Unchained D'Artagnan 2013 A Life for a Life Boyle Short 2014 Wish I Was Here Audition Actor #32016 Jason Bourne Craig Jeffers The Vampire Leland The MonsignorShort 2017 Frank Embree Charles Embree (voice) 2018 O.G. - 2019 Dark Phoenix Jones 2022 Outpost Earl 2023 ReptileDan Cleary2024Justice League: Crisis on Infinite EarthsMr. Terrific, Anti-Monitor (voice)Direct to video
Television Year Title Role Notes 2001 Third Watch Bike Messenger Episode: "Duty"2003 Chappelle's Show Extra Episode: "Mad Real World & Ask A Gay Dude" Law & Order Jason Hendri Episode: "Suicide Box" Line of Fire Archibald 'Crazy Jazz' LincolnEpisode: "Pilot" 2005 Commander in Chief Manute Obama 2006 Conviction Byron 'B-Fly' Williams Episode: "Indebted" 2007 Law & Order Andre Blair Episode: "Bling" 2009 Royal Pains Antoine Episode: "If I Were a Sick Man" 2010 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Hassan Episode: "Loyalty: Part 1 & 2"2011 White Collar Frederik Bilal Episode: "Burke's Seven" Damages Bomb Tech Recurring role 2011–2012 Treme - 2 episodes 2011–2016 Blue Bloods Reverend Darnell Potter Recurring role (seasons 2–7) 2012–2013 Copper Matthew Freeman Main role 2012–2018 Elementary Alfredo Llamosa Recurring role (seasons 1 & 3); Guest role (seasons 2, 4 & 6)2013The Good WifeDr. Elliot ChesterfieldEpisode: "Je Ne Sais What?"2014 Believe FBI Agent Gardner Recurring role Madam Secretary King Nungunde Episode: "Pilot"2015 Girls D. August Recurring role Person of Interest Ray Pratt Episode: "Skip" 2016 Vinyl Lester Grimes Main role 2016–2021 Chicago Med Dr. Isidore Latham Recurring role (seasons 2–5); Guest role (season 6) 2018 Wolverine: The Long Night Agent Tad Marshall Main role 2018–2020 Altered Carbon Vernon Elliot Main role (season 1); Guest role (season 2) 2019 The Code Major Trey Ferry Main role2020 Tales from the Loop Gaddis Recurring role Away Kwesi Weisberg Annan Main role 2021 Evil Nathan Katsaris Episode: "D Is for Doll" 2021–2024 Agent Stoker EnGAGE Recurring role 2022 Let the Right One In Frank 3 episodes 2023 Extrapolations Marco Episode: "2046: Whale Fall" 2023–present The Diplomat Stuart Hayford Main role
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2011 Saints Row: The Third Radio Voices (voice)
References
External links
Interview with Ato Essandoh at Moniqueblog.net