Eddie Tagoe is a Ghanaian actor and reflexologist, probably best-known for his film career in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Eddie Tagoe
NationalityGhanaian
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupationactor
Notable workTop Secret!
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

Early life edit

The son of Ghanaian Chieftain Asafoatshe Ayah Tagoe,[1] Eddie Tagoe travelled to London to study reflexology prior to pursuing acting. He then received a grant from the government of Ghana to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[1]

Acting edit

Tagoe is perhaps best-remembered for minor supporting roles in two film classics: As the hippie "Presuming Ed" in the 1987 film production of Withnail and I, a role that he resumed in 2000 in a stage production of the same work; and as one of the pirates in the 1981 hit movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. Billed only as the "Messenger Pirate", his character was sent to find Indiana Jones in advance of Nazis boarding the ship on which Jones was travelling. Initially unable to find Jones, he was instructed by the captain to look again, and immediately replied, "I found him!", pointing to Jones swimming to the Nazi submarine.

Tagoe had a significantly larger part in his film debut, Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978),[1] and as "Chocolate Mousse" in the 1984 farce, Top Secret!. He appeared in various other roles such as Sgt. Gwambe in Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985), as well as The Dogs of War (1980), Pink Floyd The Wall (1982) and Spaghetti House (1982). Tagoe also appeared in episodes of a number of British television series, including Legacy of Murder, Prospects, and The Bill, becoming "a well-known face on British television as an actor".[2]

Reflexology edit

In 1995, he returned to his reflexology career when he was recruited to serve as team reflexologist for Newcastle United F.C.[3]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Black Joy African Dustman
1978 Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? Mumbala
1979 Arabian Adventure Nubian
1980 The Dogs of War Jinja
1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark Messenger Pirate
1982 Pink Floyd The Wall Minder
1982 Spaghetti House Bill
1984 Top Secret! Chocolate Mousse, Resistance Member
1985 Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend Sergeant Gambwe
1987 Withnail and I Presuming Ed
1991 Ama Brother Josh

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Son Of African Royalty To Make His Film Debut", Jet (January 26, 1978), p. 56.
  2. ^ R. Costello, Black Liverpool: The Early History of Britain's Oldest Black Community, 1730–1918 (2001), p. 40.
  3. ^ Simon Turnbull, "ROYAL APPOINTMENTS FOR NEWCASTLE SQUAD!", The Northern Echo, 11 February 1995.

External links edit