Ato Essandoh was born in New York City to parents who had emigrated from Ghana. Growing up, he never really considered acting as a career path and instead pursued a more technical route, enrolling at Cornell University to study chemical engineering. Life had other plans, however, and a girlfriend at the time encouraged him to audition for a school play. That experience sparked something unexpected—Ato discovered a passion for performing, and the acting bug truly took hold.
Breaking into the industry wasn’t immediate, though. He was already 29 when he made his professional debut in 2001 with a minor role on the WB drama Third Watch, which aired from 1999 to 2005. From there, Essandoh gradually built his résumé with a series of small but notable appearances. One of his more memorable early roles came in 2004 when he played Titembay in Zach Braff’s indie hit Garden State.
Throughout the rest of the 2000s, Ato Essandoh continued to appear in supporting roles in major films such as Hitch (2005) and Blood Diamond (2006). His performance in Django Unchained brought him further recognition, and after that, he expanded his presence on television. Among his television appearances were guest spots on the BBC historical drama Copper (2012–13), the modern-day Elementary (CBS, 2012–present), and the long-running procedural Blue Bloods (CBS, 2010–present). Through it all, Ato Essandoh has steadily carved out a place for himself in both film and television with his compelling performances and quiet dedication to the craft.
Ato Essandoh has appeared in a variety of films throughout his career, but one of his most well-received performances was in the 2004 movie Saving Face. This film seems to stand out as his highest-rated work according to audience and critic reviews. On the other hand, his role in Dark Phoenix, released in 2019, received much less acclaim and is considered his lowest-rated film to date. While Ato Essandoh has contributed to many projects, these two films represent the high and low points in terms of critical reception.