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- Anthony Bishop was born on 29 September 1971 in Gauteng, South Africa. He was an actor, known for District 9 (2009), Chappie (2015) and The Salvation (2014). He died on 21 October 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Actor
- Sound Department
Chris April was an actor, known for Blended (2014), Accidents (1989) and Zulu (2013). He died on 31 March 2024 in Nyanga, Western Cape, South Africa.- David Butler was born on 1 March 1960 in South Africa. He was an actor, known for Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), Friend Request (2016) and Serenity (2019). He died on 27 May 2021 in South Africa.
- The future Italian epic star was registered as Roy Park in 1928, but little Reg was soon re-named after his father Reginald Park Snr., a well-known gymnasium proprietor in Leeds and owner of the Reg Park Barbell Company. Reg Jnr. played reserve team football for Leeds United before turning to body-building in 1946. He finished Mr Universe runner-up to future film rival Steve Reeves in 1950, then won the title outright in 1951, 1958 and 1965. After marrying South African-born Mareon Isaacs in Johannesburg in 1952, the Parks moved permanently to South Africa where Reg ran a chain of fitness studios. In December 1960 he was invited to Rome to star in two back-to-back Hercules movies, Hercules and the Captive Women (1961) followed immediately by Hercules in the Haunted World (1961). Since these were directed by intellectually acclaimed veterans Vittorio Cottafavi and Mario Bava, Reg Park himself became something of a cult personality in the Italian epic genre. His friend and protege Arnold Schwarzenegger considered Park to be the best of the "peplum" heroes.
Three more sword-and-sandals followed, including Maciste in King Solomon's Mines (1964) which, handily for Park, was filmed on location in South Africa. - Deon Stewardson was born on 30 November 1951 in South Africa. He was an actor, known for Wild at Heart (2006), The Most Dangerous Woman Alive (1988) and American Kickboxer (1991). He died on 27 October 2017 in South Africa.
- John Carson was a hugely prolific actor who appeared constantly on UK screens throughout the mid-50s until the mid-80s. He has appeared alongside many of the UK's stars and became hugely popular as a villain or hero. The secret of John's success was his versatility and his wonderful silky voice. He appeared in 3 Hammer films which led to an ever-increased popularity amongst film fans. John moved to South Africa from England in the 80s and, sadly, his appearances became far more sporadic although he always kept working, even producing and filming his own short documentary, "African Spirit". He returned to England in 2007 and has been involved in a few films, such as The Deal (2008). He attended a John Carson Celebration Day in London (July 2009). This was the first time he had talked publicly about his long career in television, film and stage. The day was a huge success and, aside from a showing of two of his films, John gave an interview on stage and then signed autographs. The day was a huge success and this was proved so by a large attendance and the queues for his autograph and photos. John returned to South Africa in 2014 where he spent time with his family and got to relax a little. He sadly passed away on November 5th, 2016, a few weeks before his 90th birthday. He was a fine actor and leaves behind a legacy of his versatility on screen.
- Jannes Eiselen (21 September 1980 - 23 September 2016) was a TV, stage and voice actor born in New York, but moved to South Africa in his youth. He was married and lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was trained in South Africa at the University of Pretoria, where he completed his degree in Drama in 2002.
He performed in various stage plays and local series as a young performer. His first international role was in 2005, where he played Cpt. John Laverty in the UK docudrama, Zero Hour (2004). In 2006 he played the role of Dr. Deon Bekker on 3 seasons of the medical drama Hillside (2006), a teen drama that aired in Canada.
In 2010, Eiselen was diagnosed with a primary parenchymal pineal brain tumor, a very rare and poorly understood cancer. Jannes wrestled with cancer in 2010-2011 and did not return to acting until December 2011, when he played on the TV Mini-Series, The Sinking of the Laconia (2010) before landing his role as Dufresne, the ship's accountant in Black Sails (2014). Sadly, brain cancer forced him to leave the cast prior to filming the second season.
Jannes was also very successful in South Africa as a voice artist.
Jannes was a supporter of Faces of Hope Foundation, a charity that provides assistance to people, especially children with rare-cancers.
He died in Johannesburg, South Africa on 23 September 2016, two days after his 36th birthday, after his long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer. - Actor
- Stunts
Larry Taylor was born on 13 July 1918 in Peterborough, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Zulu (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Gamble for a Throne (1961). He was married to Anni Taylor. He died on 6 August 2003 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Actor
- Additional Crew
London-born David Farrar dropped out of school at 14 and became a writer for the Morning Advertiser newspaper; but it wasn't long before he decided to change careers and become an actor. He started out on the stage in 1932, and five years later made his film debut. Appearing at first in low-budget thrillers, such as Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror (1938),he worked his way up to more prestigious projects, such as Ealing's Went the Day Well? (1942). Farrar hit his stride in a series of films for renowned directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, most notably the classic Black Narcissus (1947).
Farrar's brooding good looks and deep, rich baritone won him legions of female fans in the US and Europe, and soon Hollywood came a-calling. He journeyed to Universal as a contract player, but the studio put him in a succession of second-tier action pictures and costume dramas as a villain. He returned to England somewhat embittered by his Hollywood experiences and determined to do better in his own country's film industry, but he couldn't regain the momentum he had before he left for Hollywood. After a small role as King Xerxes of Persia in the Greek-shot The 300 Spartans (1962), he left film acting and turned to television. When his wife died in 1976 he retired from acting altogether, and with his daughter Barbara moved to the Natal coast in South Africa, where he passed away in 1995 at age 87.- Henry Cele was born on 30 January 1949 in Durban, South Africa. He was an actor, known for The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Shaka Zulu (1986) and Shaka Zulu: The Citadel (2001). He was married to Jenny Hollander and Tozi Duma. He died on 2 November 2007 in Durban, South Africa.
- Stunts
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Actor
Began as an actor in Kurt Russell-Disney Films in 1974. Made the switch to the Stunt world following a successful career as a junior pro surfer. Born, bred, and resided in Malibu. Many, many stunts later, David made the promotion to Stunt Coordinator in 1978 on Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). Coordinating TV and films all over the world brought him up to the position of 2nd Unit Director on Gorky Park (1983). "Action" movies proceeded to explode along with David's career. Befriending Harrison Ford, two of David's most notable 2nd units were Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). As shown in Filmography, he worked back-to-back until the break from Disney, offering to 1st unit Direct the feature, Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996). Directorial debut grossed over $100 Million. Completed two features for 1997, Desperate Measures (1998) & Sphere (1998) with Barry Levinson.- Actor
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Danny Keogh is a veteran actor whose work strongly ties itself to the theatre. A native of South African, born in Uganda, Danny's theatrical career earned him numerous award nominations. Danny's screen debut was in 1977 and since then added onto an extensive career spanning over 3 decades. His most notable screen credits include the Clint Eastwood-directed film Invictus (2009) and the Sci-Fi trilogy-marker Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008). Notable television appearances include The Lost Future (2010) (TV), The Sinking of Laconia (2011) (TV) and Labyrinth (2012) (TV).- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
James Gracie was born on 8 January 1978 in Boksburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa [now South Africa]. He was an actor and writer, known for Discreet (2008), Eye in the Sky (2015) and Semi-Soet (2012). He was married to Anel Alexander. He died on 28 April 2023 in South Africa.- Moira Lister was born in South Africa and made her stage debut at age 6 with the University Players of Johannesburg in "The Vikings of Helgeland." She appeared on the London stage at age 14 and started working in films in 1943. She was always popular, and she was usually cast as 'posh' ladies.
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Lena Farugia was born and raised in New York. She studied at Thomas More College (Fordham) and Columbia University. She started her professional career in New York, then got married to a South African filmmaker and moved to South Africa, where she made a professional career as an actress, writer, director and producer on movie and television projects. Memorable roles include: Dr. Ann Taylor in _The Gods Must Be Crazy II_ (1989) (directed by Jamie Uys), and Elizabeth Carter in The Sandgrass People (directed by Koos Roets); both roles as female lead.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Jamie Uys was an internationally acclaimed film director who completed 24 films. Prizes for his work included the 1981 Grand Prix at the Festival International du Film de Comedy Vevey for 'The Gods Must be Crazy' and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association award for best documentary in 1974 for 'Beautiful People' aka 'Animals are Beautiful People'. 'The Gods Must be Crazy' enjoyed three years of uninterrupted screening in the United States.- Actor
- Writer
Winston Ntshona was born on 6 October 1941 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He was an actor and writer, known for Gandhi (1982), The Wild Geese (1978) and Blood Diamond (2006). He died on 2 August 2018 in New Brighton, Eastern Cape, South Africa.- David Dukas is a South African actor, born in the small mining town of Virginia, in the heart of the country. After graduating from high school in 1988, David went on to complete the National Higher Diploma:Acting at Tswane University of Technology(Former Pretoria Technikon's school of Performing Arts). He began his career on the stage as an ad-hoc player for the former PACT (Performing Arts Council of Transvaal). In 1994 he made his television debut in South Africa's longest running soap, Egoli - Place of Gold and has subsequently acted in numerous local as well as International co-productions.
- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013) was the former leader of the African National Congress (ANC). He was known for his lifelong struggle against apartheid (enforced racial separation), which was instituted in South Africa in 1948. The ANC was soon declared a terrorist organization and banned by the South African government. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and imprisoned for life on "terrorist" charges, but in 1990, he was freed by South African president F.W. de Klerk. In 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa.
Two biographical films were made and Mandela and de Klerk (1997) focused on Mandela's life's struggles.- Barbara Randolph was born on 5 May 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She was an actress, known for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), Bright Road (1953) and Channing (1963). She was married to Eddie Singleton. She died on 15 July 2002 in South Africa.
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ken Gampu was one of the first black South Africans to be featured in Hollywood films, working alongside such stars as Edward G. Robinson and Burt Lancaster. A former schoolteacher, law clerk and interpreter, he spoke seven native dialects in addition to English and Afrikaans. Discovered by playwright Athol Fugard, he was cast in the play "No Good Friday" in 1958. In the 60s he moved to films and earned international distinction for his role in the movie adventure Dingaka (1964). He earned excellent notices as well a year later in Cornel Wilde's African adventure The Naked Prey (1965) as a warrior leader. Several of his films have earned cult status with time, including Zulu Dawn (1979) and The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980).- Ron Smerczak was born on 3 July 1949 in England, UK. He was an actor, known for Who Am I? (1998), Finding Lenny (2009) and Strike Back (2010). He died on 12 May 2019 in South Africa.
- Busisiwe Lurayi was born in 1986 in South Africa. She was an actress, known for City Ses'la (2005), How to Ruin Christmas (2020) and Wild at Heart (2006). She died on 10 July 2022 in Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa.
- Wilbur Smith was born on 9 January 1933 in Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia (now Kabwe, Zambia). He was a writer, known for Dark of the Sun (1968), Shout at the Devil (1976) and The Last Lion (1972). He was married to Mokhiniso Rakhimova, Danielle Thomas, Jewell Slabbert and Anne Rennie. He died on 13 November 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Graham Weir was an actor, known for Black Sails (2014), Spud (2010) and Bentley (2006). He died on 1 December 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Donald Gray was born Eldred Tidbury in 1914 at Tidburys Toll on an Ostrich farm . He was educated Marist College Uitenhage then CBC Kimberley.Was South African winner Paramounts 1933 Search for Beauty which discovered Ann Sheriden and Colin Tapley. He won 1000 dollar bonus and bit player film contract until 1935 when passport expired. Went to London changed name to Don Tidbury appeared in Belles of St.Clements.In 1936 changed name to Donald and acquired butchers film service contract. Appeared in Four Feathers and replaced Stewart Granger in rep in Aberdeen 1939.Rejected 1939 army duodenal ulcer but enlisted Private in Gordon Highlanders 1940. Made Lieutenant in Kings Own Scottish Borderers in 1941. 1942 made We'll meet Again and promoted Captain.Lost left arm in July 1944 at Caen to German anti tank shell. 1946 toured South Africa with Where the Sun Shines. 1947 to 1951 in BBC radio Repertory company. Left to make Island of Desire.Returned to BBC 1952 as TV newsreader. 1955 to 1960 TVs Mark Saber. Typecast did get work in narrations and commercials but only seldom worked on TV after Captain Scarlet. Last appeared BBC TV in Hill of the Red Fox 1975. Died 1978 of a coronary.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Graham Armitage was born on 24 April 1936 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Devils (1971), Jane and the Lost City (1987) and The Avengers (1961). He died on 6 March 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Actress
- Script and Continuity Department
Mary Twala was born on 14 September 1939 in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. She was an actress, known for This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection (2019), The Dark Tower (2017) and Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014). She was married to Ndaba Mhlongo. She died on 4 July 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Shona Ferguson was born on 30 April 1974 in Gaborone, Botswana. He was a producer and actor, known for The Gift (2014), Kings of Jo'burg (2020) and Step Up to a Start Up (2014). He was married to Connie Ferguson. He died on 30 July 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Fashion Model. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, her father was employed as a horse trainer. After moving to Port Elizabeth, South Africa with her family, she attended Saint Dominic's Priory School and later enrolled at the University of Port Elizabeth (now part of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) where she studied law and graduated with a Bachelor of laws Degree in 2005. After receiving her degree, she did paralegal work and applied to the bar in 2011. At the age of 14 she started her modeling career and was a finalist in the Weekend Post Faces of the Future competition in 2004 and in The Herald Miss Port Elizabeth contest in 2005. Her career as a model and cover girl continued with an appearance in FHM magazine, modeling jewelry for Sivana Diamonds, and was the first face of Avon cosmetics in South Africa. Additionally, she appeared in television advertisements for a number of products, including Toyota Land Cruiser, Clover "The One," Redds, and Aldor Pin Pop. An avid horse rider, she broke her back in a fall in her early twenties and had to learn to walk again. In 2012 she was featured as a celebrity contestant on the BBC Lifestyle show "Baking Made Easy." In November 2012 she began dating Oscar Pistorius, the celebrated South African Olympic and Paralympic track and field athlete. Three months later she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home who, having admitted to accidentally shooting her (thinking she was an intruder), was arrested and formally charged with her premeditated murder. At the time of her death she had agreed to appear in the 5th season of the reality television program "Tropika Island of Treasure" and had filmed the series episodes on location in Jamaica. The screening of the series aired as scheduled on February 16, 2013, only two days after her death, and its first episode was dedicated to her with a video tribute to her that preceded it.
- Emrys Jones was born on 22 September 1915 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1966) and The Wicked Lady (1945). He was married to Anne Ridler and Pauline Bentley. He died on 10 July 1972 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Vic Oliver was born on 8 July 1898 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary [now Austria]. He was a composer and actor, known for Give Us the Moon (1944), He Found a Star (1941) and Hi Gang! (1941). He was married to Natalie Conder and Sarah Churchill. He died on 15 August 1964 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Menzi Ngubane was born on 28 August 1964 in Ntabazinduna, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He was an actor, known for How to Steal 2 Million (2011), Generations (1993) and The King's Messenger (1990). He was married to Sikelelo Sishuba and Lerato Sidibe. He died on 13 March 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Jamie Bartlett was born on 9 July 1966 in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Rhythm City (2007), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) and Beyond Borders (2003). He was married to Camilla Waldman. He died on 23 May 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Actor
- Writer
Gert van den Bergh was born on 16 October 1920 in Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa. He was an actor and writer, known for Zulu (1964), The Naked Prey (1965) and Stropers van die Laeveld (1962). He died on 16 February 1968 in Cape Town, South Africa.- Vuyisile Bojana was an actor, known for Shaka Zulu (1986), Hallo, Onkel Doc! (1994) and Ingqumbo Yeminyanya (1991). He died on 24 January 2005 in South Africa.
- Wendy Mseleku was born in 1973. She was an actress, known for Sarafina! (1992). She died on 21 August 2000 in Soweto, South Africa.
- Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi was born on 27 August 1928 in Mahlabathini, South Africa. He was an actor, known for Zulu (1964), Tokoloshe (1965) and Panorama (1953). He was married to Irene Mzila. He died on 9 September 2023 in Durban, South Africa.
- Director
- Actress
- Writer
Leontine Sagan was born on 13 February 1889 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary [now Austria]. She was a director and actress, known for Mädchen in Uniform (1931), Men of Tomorrow (1932) and Showtime (1946). She was married to Dr. Victor Fleischer (dramatist). She died on 20 May 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Zack du Plessis was born in 1950 in South Africa. He was an actor and writer, known for Tolla is Tops (1990), Vetkoek Paleis (1996) and Bosveld Hotel .... Die Moewie (1982). He was married to Magda van Biljon. He died on 15 June 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.- Winston Gama was an actor, known for Shaka Zulu (1986), Dragonard (1988) and Mercenary Fighters (1988). He died on 22 November 2004 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
John Matshikiza was born on 26 November 1954 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was an actor and director, known for Beyond Borders (2003), Dust Devil (1992) and Soldier Soldier (1991). He died on 15 September 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Patrick Shai was born on 9 December 1956 in Sophiatown, South Africa. He was an actor and director, known for Hearts & Minds (1995), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995) and 7de Laan (2000). He was married to Mmasechaba Shai. He died on 22 January 2022 in Dobsonville, South Africa.- Mathew Stewardson was born on 11 December 1974 in South Africa. He was an actor, known for Final Cut (1989), Act of Piracy (1988) and It's Murphy's Fault (1988). He died on 10 December 2010 in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa.
- Gianfranco Cicogna died on 30 June 2012 in South Africa.
- Desmond Tutu was born on 7 October 1931 in Klerksdorp, Union of South Africa [now South Africa]. He was an actor, known for Our Story Our Voice (2007), 24 Peaces and Jock the Hero Dog (2011). He was married to Nomalizo Leah Shenxane. He died on 26 December 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Vernon Sewell was educated at Malborough College. He was one of the crew of "castaways" with Michael Powell on the Shetland island of Foula to make The Edge of the World (1937). He later became one of the mainstays in the "B" movie niche of the British film industry, and in his almost 40-year career he turned out everything from spy thrillers to horror films to "sexploitation" fare.- Composer
- Music Department
- Producer
Hugh Masekela was born on 4 April 1939 in Wilbank, South Africa. He was a composer and producer, known for The Jewel of the Nile (1985), The Last King of Scotland (2006) and Blended (2014). He was married to Elinam Cofie, Jabu Mbatha, Chris Calloway and Miriam Makeba. He died on 23 January 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Brian O'Shaughnessy was born on 5 May 1931 in Aldershot, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980), Shangani Patrol (1970) and The Power of One (1992). He died on 14 July 2001 in Cape Town, South Africa.- Director
- Production Manager
- Editor
Ivan Hall commenced his film career with the newly renamed Kavalier Film Productions with the production of the Anglo Boer War drama / musical "The Kruger Millions" in 1967, which starred Leon Le Roux, Helga van Wyk, Carel Trichardt and Dirk de Villiers. Kruger Millions was a sequel to the earlier film "Die Kavaliers" which was directed by Elmo de Witt and was released in 1966.
He then quickly attained the status of director in residence at the Kavaliers Studios situated on Aasvoelkop, Randburg and went on to direct a string of successful films across all of the different genres for Kavaliers, including "Dr Kalie" (1968) with Siegfried Mynhardt and Brian O'Shaughnessy, "Lied In My Hart" (1970) with Ge Korsten (and the former Miss South Africa, Mitsi Stander) "Vicki" (1970), the police procedural dramas "Flying Squad", "Gold Squad", (both released in 1971) "Lokval in Venesie"(1973) with Ge Korsten, "Karate Olympia" (the first African martial arts film, released in 1976) and the political thriller "Funeral For An Assassin" with Vic Morrow - which was banned in 1974 by the then all powerful South African censors for no apparent reason and then unbanned just as quickly, again for no apparent reason.
Aside from his work with Kavaliers, he also directed the film "Aanslag Op Kariba" in 1973 - the sequel to Brigadiers Films' enormously successful film Kaptein Caprivi.
Ivan Hall's greatest success as a filmmaker came in 1981 when his martial arts film "Kill & Kill Again", (the sequel to his earlier film "Karate Olympia") became a major international box-office success both in the USA and in the Far East. This film reached number one on the USA Variety box-office list and made an instant star out of its lead actor, James Ryan, who had also starred in "Karate Olympia". Ivan Hall went on to make the films "The Riverman" with Michael Parks, "Skollie" with George Ballot and "Trackers" with Craig Wasson and Henry Cele.
Ivan Hall was honoured by the National Film, Video and Sound Archives, the Volksbladfees Directorate and the Mimosa Film Productions Directorate in June 2007 for his invaluable contributions to the South African film industry.
Hall passed away on 11th October 2008 and will be greatly missed by all his colleagues and friends in the South African film industry.