Ato Blankson-Wood (he/him) is best known for his starring role in Jeremy O. Harris’ critically acclaimed Slave Play, for which he was nominated for a 2021 Tony Award. He has also earned nominations for the Drama League Awards and the inaugural Antonyo Awards for playing ‘Gary,’ a role he originated for the New York Theatre Workshop production, where his performance earned him a Lortel Nomination. This past summer, Ato played the titular role of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park’s production directed by Kenny Leon. Prior to this, Ato starred opposite Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel in Long Day’s Journey Into Night for Audible, which reunited him with Slave Play director Robert O’Hara. Ato had his breakout performance in the Public Theatre musical The Total Bent (Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nomination) which explored the life of a black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval. Ato has also been seen on Broadway in Hair and Lysistrata Jones, as well as in The Rolling Stone for Lincoln Center (Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance). Films include Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit, Spike Lee’s BlacKKKlansman, Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, and Peter Hedge’s The Same Storm. Television includes “The Good Fight,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us.” Ato is represented by Independent Artist Group and D2 Management.
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone
Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play
Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent
Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010
Ato Blankson-Wood has received several nominations, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Rolling Stone, the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Slave Play, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Slave Play. He was also nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Total Bent and for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical at The Lortels for The Total Bent.
Videos