Debebe Eshetu

In this Ethiopian name, the name Eshetu is a patronymic, and the person should be referred by the given name, Debebe.

Debebe Eshetu (Amharic: ደበበ እሸቱ; died 17 August 2025) was an Ethiopian actor, journalist and human rights advocate.

Life and work

Debebe trained at the Budapest School in Hungary and his stage debut was in Yalacha Gabicha (Marriage of Unequals) in 1963.[1]

Debebe appeared in the 1973 American blaxploitation film Shaft in Africa[2] and also acted in other films.

He was the president of the Union of African Performing Artists, Director of the Training of African Actors in Zimbabwe, Editor of World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre (UNESCO Edition), and was the chairman of the African Actors Association.[1] He also worked for the Rockefeller Foundation.[3]

Eshetu died on 17 August 2025. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recognised his contributions following his death.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Actor Debebe Eshetu (Ethiopian, 1943) – Ethiopian Press Agency". Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  2. ^ Aldous, Steve (2015-10-12). The World of Shaft: A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-9923-6.
  3. ^ Diakhate, Ousmane; Eyoh, Hansel Ndumbe; Rubin, Don (2013-10-18). World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Africa. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-35949-1.
  4. ^ "PM Abiy Expresses Profound Condolences on Passing Away of Legendary Ethiopian Artist Debebe Eshetu". ENA English. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
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