Ethiopia is a country best known for its fasting athletes like Dibaba and Bekele, stunning models like Liya Kebede and of course Haile Selassie, but there are also famous TV personalities doing a great job of entertaining and bringing the country to civilization bring. The following is a list of the ten most famous TV personalities in Ethiopia:
Popular TV Personalities Born in Ethiopia
1. Senait Ashenafi
Senait Ashenafi was born on March 10, 1966 in Addis Ababa and is famous for her role in the series General Hospital Als Keesha Ward, but the 47-year-old is also a dancer, singer and a successful model. She also starred in the hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air opposite Will Smith and the 2001 film Honey Bee .
2. Haile Gerima
Haile Gerima was born on March 4, 1946. He is an Ethiopian television personality and famous filmmaker because he specializes in showing the world how his people suffered during the slave trade era. He leads the LA Rebellion film movement but is best known for directing the film Sankofa in 2003, which has won numerous international awards. His training at the Los Angeles School of Black Films also led him to meet other famous film directors and work with them to create extraordinary black films. He was also a distinguished professor at Howard University in Washington DC.
3.Marcus Samuelson
Marcus Samuelson, 43, is a renowned chef around the world who has won multiple awards for his culinary skills. He has been frequently seen on TV shows Chopped and Top Chef Master among others. The camera-friendly chef has interviewed NPR’s Terry Gross and even cooked for President Barrack Obama. Another famous Ethiopian chef who has seen a lot on TV is Daniel Mesfin. As well as his BBC show and restaurant, he is also working to eliminate hunger in Ethiopia through his cooking. He is a popular Ethiopian television personality but one thing you would wish is to try his cuisine.
4.Evan Farmer
Born on July 28, 1972 in Asmara, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Evan Ragland Farmer is the host of a TLC Home Design television series While You’ve Been Waiting. He has acted in many films such as the Fantastics Despite this, he is also a well-known musician by architecture education. Evan made his first break in his entertainment career in 1998 with his portrayal of the lead character “Jerry O’Keefe” on MTV’s motion picture sensation: 2GE + HER.
5.Bruno Xavier
Another famous Ethiopian TV personality is BrunoXavier. He is known for his many commercial appearances, although he is also a professional actor having appeared in a number of American and many Australian films. The Eritrean-born actor has appeared in TV comedies Fat Pizza and Garage Days among others. Today he lives in Australia and works from there.
6. Betelhem Zelealem
Betelhem Zelealem is an Ethiopian non-linear editor and cinematographer working for an award-winning company, Halaqah Films. She is a young woman who serves as a shining example to young girls in Ethiopia and Africa that they can make it in any industry and also become famous. Born in Addis Ababa, she has co-edited four documentaries and directed one. She also does camera crews for many films in Ethiopia and America.
7. Sirak Sabahat
Sirak Sabahat is another Ethiopian television personality who was born in Walita. He is known for his acting Live and Will and a film called The Children of CCCP . He has also starred in and directed his own television documentary series.
8. Liya Kedebe
Liya Kedebe was born on March 1, 1978 in Ethiopia. She is a famous Ethiopian model but modeling is just a tip of the iceberg compared to what she can do. She is a maternal health advocate, fashion designer and actress who has starred in Lord of War ; The Good Shepherd (2006), Desert Flower (2009), The Best Offer (2013) to name a few. In 2007, Liya Kedebe became the 11th highest paid model in the world.
9. Patricia Amira
Patricia Amira is a renowned media personality and TV presenter in Ethiopia. She works tirelessly to bring issues to the attention of the Ethiopian people on social media and in her shows. She can be considered the “Oprah Winfrey of Africa” as her show is watched by more than 10 million people in 45 countries.
10. Alebakhev Teka
Alebachew Teka was born in North-Wello, in a small town called Wourgessa in 1962. Before his death, Alebachew Teka was a very famous Ethiopian TV presenter and comedian. He did the alebe show, raising money to help the poor and a satirical show in a dictatorship government. The cheerful TV presenter died in a horrific car accident on January 16, 2005 and was remembered long after his death as one of the most popular Ethiopian television personalities to grace the screens.
More popular Ethiopian TV personalities
Pamela Nomvete famous for her role in ‘Sometimes in April and Zeudi’
Araya Cristaldi in Hearts and Armor.
Actor Moshe Abebe starred alongside Sirak Sabahat in the film Live and Become. Letekidan Micael is known for her appearance in “Heart of Fire” and Teshome Gabriel in “Pretty Lady”.
Mahmoud Ahmed was famous for his performances in the 1980s with refugees driven from their homes by a military coup, while Alexander Boghossian became famous for his art, which reached as far as Paris.
Lola Monroe is also a famous Ethiopian television personality known for her hit single “Overtime” and Zahara Jolie Pitt has been on television a lot since she was adopted by Angelina Jolie and BradPittt. There are many other personalities to talk about but this article will give you the top 10 who have taken the stage in the Ethiopian entertainment industry to the delight of many fans and foes alike.