Borkena
Toronto – Debebe Eshetu, renowned Ethiopian actor and director, passed away in the capital Addis Ababa. He was also a journalist and author.
He died at the age of 83.
News of his passing emerged on social media this morning. Later, major media outlets in the country covered the story.
Taye Atsekeselasie, president of Ethiopia and PM Abiy Ahmed, conveyed messages of condolences on their respective social media page.
In the Shaft in Africa movie, which was played in the 1970’s , Debebe played Wassa.
According to local sources, Debebe studied theatrical art at the Budapest School in Hungary in the 60’s. Yalacha Gabicha (Marriage of Unequals) was one of the popular plays.
He has served as president of the Union of African Performing Artists, and Director of the Training of African Actors in Zimbabwe and as chairman of the African Actors Association, according to sources.
As well, he had contributed to the UNESCO edition “Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre,” as indicated in Wikipedia.
Apart from the world of entertainment, Debebe ventured into politics about twenty years ago when the Coalition For Democracy (CUD) challenged the now defunct Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) which was under the leadership of the late Meles Zenawi.
He was arrested along with other CUD leaders, who protested after EPRDF rigged the election in Addis Ababa, and released after a year or so.
Deberbe is remembered for his versatile personality. He is survived by his spouse and four children.
Details of the funerals have not yet been disclosed.
Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
To submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.com
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.
I remember Obbo Debebe as an actor in the movie Shaft In Africa in 1973. There was another Ethiopian actress in that movie. Whenever I thumb through photos from that era, I just can help it but adore them all and wondering as how it happened. I remember how proud of him to play a role in the hit series movie from Tinseltown. I went to see the movie at one of the local theaters with my Afro reaching the sky high with a comb still well anchored in it, Itu style. Most of the actors in that movie including the stunning beauty Vonetta Mcgee have passed away over the years including the lead actor Richard Roundtree just a couple of years ago. Whenever I come across news like this, it reminds how my crowd is thinning away over time leaving me behind so I can still mix it up with you young folks. Meanwhile, is that Ethiopian actress in the same movie still alive? She should be honored for being in the movie even though her role can be seen as stereotypical these days. I still remember the profanity she hurled at the lead actor in Arabic. Good old days!
May he rest in eternal peace!!!
To be jailed for two years on charges of terrorism when the real reason was joining a people’s party that defeated the ruling party in 2005 elections showed the true color of fascism. The ruling party, of course, stole the election and went on a killing spree which served as a prelude to its downfall. Meles Zenawi and his terror-front Tplf will remain a stain on our history. Debebe, Prof. Mesfin, Birtukan Mideksa, etc. were the heroes!