Veteran Actress Grace Nortey Dead

Celebrated Ghanaian veteran actress Grace Nortey has reportedly died at the age of 89, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than five decades in theatre, television and film.

The actress, popularly known as ‘Maame Gyata’, reportedly passed away at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to reports following her death.

Grace Nortey marked her 89th birthday on February 1, 2026, and made a rare public appearance around the celebration.

She became a familiar face during Ghana’s golden era of television and theatre, earning recognition for her strong performances in productions such as Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Key Soap Concert Party, Cantata and Thursday Theatre.

Beyond television and theatre, she featured in several notable Ghanaian films, including Nana Akoto, Matters of the Heart, Ties That Bind, Sinking Sands, Amakye and Dede and the internationally acclaimed Beasts of No Nation.

Known for her commanding presence and portrayal of strong and outspoken female characters, Nortey became one of the respected figures in Ghana’s entertainment industry.

In April 2025, she was among veteran actors honoured at AshantiFest for their contributions to the development of Ghana’s film industry.

Her reported death adds to the losses suffered by Ghana’s creative industry and is expected to trigger tributes from colleagues, fans and other industry stakeholders who admired her long and influential career.