Tony Ofori - Doing What He Loves
Born and brought up in Canada, Tony Ofori started his acting journey as a theater actor. Tony has been on a journey of telling stories while doing the things he loves to do. He recently starred in the Emmy-winning series Ghostwriter that released its third installment on Apple TV+ this fall. Much like his character, Malcolm, Tony is very active in raising a voice for the black community. Please read on to learn more in our exclusive interview below!
Where are you currently based?
I’m from Toronto, Ontario born and raised. Predominantly the North York area.
You first debuted as a theater actor at the Toronto Center for the Performing Arts. What inspired you to get there?
Since graduating theatre school, I was on a quest for my voice and what stories I wished to tell. I think most of the decisions I have made in my acting career, have been on the quest of my voice as it continues to change. Theatre and film and art, evokes inward reflection.
You’ve also starred in various television series and movies, voiced animated shows and voiceovers. What gets you the most excited?
Truthfully, what gets me the most excited is to see my peers, my lovely friends who are on the same journey and achieving dreams on my tv screen or blessing the big theatres of Toronto. I love watching them achieve, and win and grow. And it’s overwhelming sometimes! You lose track of who’s doing what and that is amazing! Collectively artists In this country are really opening the eyes of the world to what we have to offer, and I’m so proud to go down in the history books with these amazing artists. Lastly, my most favourite thing about this journey is making my family proud. Boy’s from the hood rarely achieve these things. I was given permission to dream and before their eyes, my family gets to see how it unfolds and are beyond proud. And that makes me feel… full
We are to see you back on stage with an adaptation of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s book Fall on Your Knees. Are you excited to go back to the theater? Can you tell us a bit about this performance and your character?
Fall on Your Knees is a 1996 novel by Canadian playwright, actor and novelist Ann-Marie MacDonald. Fall on Your Knees is the story of the Piper family. Based in a small Canadian town in the late 1800s through the mid-twentieth century, the novel tells the story of the relationships between the father James, his wife Materia, and their three daughters, Kathleen, Mercedes, and Frances. James' obsession with his eldest child Kathleen affects the entire family for many years to come. It is a tale of inescapable family bonds, of terrible secrets, of miracles, racial strife, attempted murder, birth and death, and forbidden love. I play a character named Leo Taylor, also known by the nickname Ginger in his family. He is hired by James Piper to drive Kathleen to and from school.Years later, he works for James again, but this time as a delivery man for James' bootlegging operation of selling liquor. It is while working as a delivery man that Frances sees Leo and remembers his connection to Kathleen.
Your first big break was being cast in CW’s Supergirl. What was it like being on such a progressive show?
It was everything! I went out to Vancouver for three weeks with the intent to audition and see what happens. No expectations, just seeking opportunity. I got the call from my agent that I got the job on Supergirl just as I was about to enter Vancouver's suspension bridge. The first thing I did was get down on my knees and pray to God, thanking him for granting me such an amazing opportunity. I love CW’s superhero shows. I love that the leads of Supergirl consist of predominantly women. Women who are strong, brave, smart, and sexy. Women who are heroes! I was so humbled to have had the opportunity to help in telling the story!
Your newest project, Ghostwriter, is now out. Congratulations! How did you prepare for it? Can you tell us a bit about the show?
The most important thing for me when I approach a role is what kind of story we are trying to tell as a collective. From there I look at how my character contributes to the overall story we are trying to tell. Where do I belong in it? How do I move it along? Then by the end we get to see how it all comes together!! Ghostwriter is a show about teens that stumble upon a magic book where characters from familiar stories come to life at Village Books, the local book store. It’s up to the kids to figure out why the characters have appeared and how they will get them back into the book.
What was your biggest takeaway from this project?
If this job is hard for me imagine how challenging it must be for young ones in this show and industry. All the teens in this show (the heros) were absolutely phenomenal , professional and so happy to be there no matter how challenging the week was. They always led with the joy of being there. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by the business side of this industry but this show definitely made space for me to live in the fantasy of my career.
Your character, Malcolm, is the President of the Black Student Association at his University. How does he want to make a difference in the world? Do you see yourself in Malcolm?
Malcolm is a force for change. What he does is important because injustices against people of colour are still alive and strong. Malcolm’s work consists of creating a safe space for black students to come feel like they belong, feel understood, free and welcome to be themselves wholly in all their black beauty. I do see myself in Malcolm, especially as a black actor in Canada. I feel I try really hard to immerse myself in black art and black stories, to offer support and where I can to elevate black artists. I also do some community work centered around sculpting our black youth for success as well.
Like Malcolm, you are very passionate about helping the world. You are on the board of the Black Scholar Dollars. Can you tell us a bit about this organization? How does the organization help Black students out?
I am on the Board of Directors for a non for profit organization called Black Scholar Dollars whose mission is to serve Black post-secondary students in the Greater Toronto Area. We raise funds from donors and carefully selected corporate partners to develop a bursary fund which is utilized to ensure that financial challenges are not a limiting factor in the education of Black post-secondary students.
What inspired you to get so active with Black Scholar Dollars?
On my journey I had a few fairy God Mothers who were not family members, and each of them helped me get to this point. I had a family friend Vanda Clarke, who ensured I always had access to the right resources for success. If I didn’t have it, if I couldn’t afford it, she'd make sure I was set. From computers and printers to binders for my new school year. She made sure I put my best foot forward. My other fairy God-mother was Rochelle Doris who ran the acting camp that I attended as a youth, fostering my love for the arts. She made sure I was there. Even in most years when my family couldn’t afford it, she stuck her neck out for me. And now I’m a working, Dora award nominated professional!! It’s time for me to be that for others. Because I might be exactly what someone needs to reach their full potential.
Apart from education, how else can we bring about economic justice for the Black community?
Representation is super powerful too. Having more people of colour in positions of power allows us the permission to think beyond what society says we can and can’t do and be. Gives us the confidence to think outside the box and feel comfortable there. Also our representation in the media often impacts how other cultural groups view us. The more we celebrate what people of colour are accomplishing in the world and on TV, the more we are encouraged to push the boundaries.
Toronto is known for its diversity, and Canada is thought of as less racist than America. What are your thoughts on this? Does Toronto/Canada still have a long way to go?
Work needs to be done everywhere. Colonialism has left its mark everywhere in the world. Nowhere is beyond educating no matter what part of the world we are in. I will say, different parts of the world have a different relationship to racism and prejudice behaviour. It is revealed differently here, but I believe through education and actual accurate representation we can continue to evoke internationally.
The past few years have been hard on all of us. How have you stayed inspired and positive in these times?
I got back into writing music again. I always use to say the pen and pad is a safe space for me because they never judge, only listen. During the pandemic I would do this thing that I called “Quaranscenes”. Basically, I'd find scenes or monologues that I have always loved, prepare them and film them. Not only did it allow me to keep my creative juices pumping, but it also allowed me to work for fun! Nothing to lose and nothing to gain. Art for art's sake.
What is your motto in life?
“No expectations, no disappointments” I do things because I love to for the most part. I help people, I support people, and love to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. But I try not to have expect of others. Just because you do it, it doesn’t mean that others can, will or wish to return the favour. I do my best work because I want to, I do the things I love because I want to, but the end result that I can’t control, I try to relinquish control and let it be. I feel that’s the best approach for my mental health. That way I’m not taking little things so personal.
To keep up with Toni and his work, check out the following platforms:
www.tonyofori.com
www.blackscholardollars.com
Instagram: @tony_ofori
Photography by Tim Leyes.
