Legendary Ghanaian actor William Addo, widely known as ‘Akpatse’, has passed away at the age of 72. He died on November 22, 2025, after years of health challenges, including visual impairment caused by glaucoma and cataract.
Despite these struggles, his influence on Ghana’s arts scene endured, and he remained respected for his resilience and dedication to his craft.
Mr Addo was a renowned actor, lecturer, director, and cultural advocate who left an indelible mark on Ghana’s creative arts industry.
His iconic roles on GTV’s Thursday Theatre and other productions made him a household name, cherished for his wit, humor, and captivating presence.
William Addo, who appeared in a number of Ghanaian movies, started acting from stage. He studied at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts where he was retained as a teaching assistant at the school after he graduated.
He later earned a master’s degree in Acting and Directing from the University of Leeds, UK. His academic background led to a rich career in acting and leadership roles, including Director at the National Theatre and Director of Programmes at the National Commission on Culture.
As the Director at National Theatre, he handled concert party productions and managed to elevate the image and name of concert party.
He also lectured at the University of Ghana’s Theatre Arts Department, mentoring many of the country’s top actors and filmmakers.
From National Theatre, he was transferred to the Volta Region as the regional director, Centre for National Culture where he retired.
