Stelio Savante | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Education | Camps Bay High School |
| Occupation | Actor, Writer, Producer |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | www |
Stelio Savante is a South African American[1] actor, filmmaker and producer [2] best known for his roles as a South African journalist and undercover Mossad agent opposite Jim Caviezel and Claudia Karvan in the political thriller Infidel, a Portuguese mayor opposite Matt Dillon in the Hawaiian drama Running for Grace, a rogue policeman in the South African epic drama Colors of Heaven, the role of Hunter S. Kimbrough in Peter Greenaway's Golden Bear nominated Eisenstein in Guanajuato and the role of Ajax in the popular video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. In 2007 he became the first male South African-born Screen Actors Guild award nominee (Best Ensemble in a Comedy) for his recurring role on Ugly Betty[1] followed by roles in the studio films My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Starship Troopers 3: Marauder.
Early life[edit]
A Capetonian of Greek, Italian, British, Ashkenazi, and Anatolian descent,[3][4][5] his grandfather was a racing driver who placed and won medals at the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally.[1] Fluent in Afrikaans and Greek, he graduated from Camps Bay High School, immigrated from South Africa to the United States when he was offered an international tennis scholarship by the University of West Alabama[6] and relocated again to New York City in 1992 to pursue an acting career.[7]
New York[edit]
His prime-time debut came in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a Bosnian–Muslim fundamentalist. Directed by Academy Award winner Juan Jose Campanella and also starring Bradley Cooper and Alfred Molina, the episode was nominated for an Emmy.[8] Further television credits include Law & Order: Criminal Intent opposite Chris Noth and Annabella Sciorra, The Sopranos, Guiding Light, All My Children, as Dan 'Schaffy' Schaffner in Jim Breuer's pilot for Pulp Comics on Comedy Central and recurring as Antonio on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
Film credits include the comedy My Super Ex-Girlfriend directed by Ivan Reitman, starring opposite Anna Faris, Eddie Izzard, Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, and Rainn Wilson, and in Ron Howard's Academy Award winner A Beautiful Mind opposite Russell Crowe.
Theater credits include lead roles in the American and New York premiers of Arnie Sieren's award-winning Belgian play, My Blackie, Belgian playwright Jean-Yves Picq's The Case Of Kaspar Meyer, German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig's Arabian Night directed by Trip Cullman, Dan Gordon's Murder in the First directed by American Theatre Wing alumni Michael Parva, and Mortal Coils directed by Actors Studio lifetime member Ed Setrakian.
Los Angeles[edit]
Relocated to Los Angeles in 2006 for recurring role of Steve (see List of Ugly Betty characters) on Ugly Betty, produced by Salma Hayek.[9] Received a Screen Actor's Guild nomination along with the lead ensemble cast in 2007.[10]
Los Angeles television credits also include a recurring role on My Own Worst Enemy, guest star lead roles in J. J. Abrams' Undercovers opposite Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, The Suite Life on Deck, Person of Interest opposite Jim Caviezel, Without a Trace opposite Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Ivana Milicevic, Breakout Kings opposite Jimmi Simpson, and NCIS. Portrayed Joe Masseria in the eight part mini-series The Making of the Mob: New York for AMC and David Sarnoff in American Genius for National Geographic.[11]
Received positive reviews for his role in the feature A Million Colours,[12][13][14] which screened at the Montreal World Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Atlantic Film Festival, and was also awarded two South African Film and Television Awards.
Film credits include an ensemble leading role in Sony Pictures Entertainment Starship Troopers 3: Marauder produced by Academy Award nominee David Lancaster , a supporting role in Movieguide award winner What If, and a lead role opposite Isaach De Bankole and Juliet Landau in Rudolf Buitendach's Where the Road Runs Out, the first feature to ever be filmed in Equatorial Guinea.[15] Winner of the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2014 San Diego Film Festival and a Black Reel Award for Outstanding World Cinema in 2017.[16]
Starred in Peter Greenaway's Eisenstein in Guanajuato nominated for the Golden Bear at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival ,[17] the independent film Pacific Standard Time opposite Alex Russell and Willa Holland, in the HBO series Togetherness directed by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass, and co starred and produced the sex trafficking film Selling Isobel' winner of the 'Indie Award' at the Raindance Film Festival in 2016. He also guest starred in The Chosen by Dallas Jenkins and on Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots.
Starred directly opposite Matt Dillon and Jim Caviezel in Running for Grace directed by David L. Cunningham, and opposite Michael Beach and George Blagden in the romantic comedy No Postage Necessary. Voiced the role of Ajax in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. Was cast opposite Jim Caviezel for the third time, also working directly opposite Claudia Karvan in Cyrus Nowrasteh's political thriller Infidel which was released nationwide on 18 September 2020.
Films And Plays Produced[edit]
Savante has produced and served in a producing role on such films as Under the Stadium Lights starring Laurence Fishburne and Milo Gibson released theatrically by Saban Entertainment, Inc and Paramount Pictures,[18] sci-fi indie Destination Marfa winner best horror feature Manhattan Film Festival released by SP Releasing and starring Tony Todd,[19] musical Summertime Dropouts released by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation,[20] family film Bernie the Dolphin starring Kevin Sorbo released by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation,[21] dramedy No Postage Necessary, Official Selection of the Heartland Film Festival starring George Blagden, Michael Beach, and Raymond J. Barry making history as the first film to ever release via blockchain technology and available to stream using cryptocurrency as payment,[22] religious film The Penitent Thief released by Vertical Entertainment starring James Russo and Kevin Sorbo, comedy Avalanche, winner best feature Manhattan Film Festival, drama Selling Isobel starring Lew Temple, Alyson Stoner, and Matthew Marsden, winner Best Indie Feature at the 2016 Raindance in London released by Gravitas Ventures, and several short films including Pronoia, She Fell starring Patrick Fabian, and Broken starring Beverly Todd. To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks Stelio produced and performed 110 Stories Celebrity Benefit Performances with Katie Holmes, Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa Leo, Cynthia Nixon, and Jeremy Piven.[23] at the Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU. It was directed by Gregory Mosher.[24][25] Savante describes 110 Stories as a chance to give people closure about the attacks;[17] he was in New York City at the time of the attacks, and cites that as a reason why he produces the play.[26] In 2010, he also produced and performed the Los Angeles theater debut of 110 Stories Celebrity Benefit Performances at the Geffen Playhouse,[25] with John Hawkes and Ed Asner directed by Mark Freiburger.[27] All proceeds were donated to the Red Cross Los Angeles as aid to Haiti in the aftermath of their earthquake. In 2013, he produced and performed 110 Stories at Ebony Rep in Los Angeles.[28] The proceeds were donated to Operation Gratitude. And again he produced and performed 110 Stories opposite Robert Forster and Mira Sorvino directed by his acting teacher Bill Alderson in 2016.[29] As playwright, his one-act play Venom was self-produced Off Broadway and nominated as a finalist for Samuel French's Love Creek festival.[30]
Video game credits include: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, Mass Effect 2, Army of Two: The 40th Day, a role in the live-action simulated video game Red Alert 3, and Midnight Club.
Personal life[edit]
Savante was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2010 and has become a vocal advocate for other sufferers. He stated that the disease attacked his organs, including his liver. He was later also diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.[1] [31]
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Awards | Category | Work | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Manhattan Film Festival | Best Horror Feature | Destination Marfa | Won |
| 2007 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Ugly Betty | Nominated |
| 2018 | Manhattan Film Festival | Best Comedic Drama Feature | Avalanche | Won |
| 2016 | Philadelphia Independent Film Festival | Best Actor | Once We Were Slaves | Nominated |
| 2015 | Berlin International Film Festival | Teddy Ballot Volkswagen Audience Award | Eisenstein in Guanajuato | Nominated |
| 2014 | San Diego Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature (shared with Rudolf Buitendach) | Where The Road Runs Out | Won |
| 2015 | The Short Film Awards SOFIE Award | Best Actor in a Short Film | Once We Were Slaves | Won |
| 2015 | American Movie Award | Best Actor | Once We Were Slaves | Won |
| 2015 | Bare Bones International Film Festival | Best Actor in a Short Film | Once We Were Slaves | Nominated |
- Best Actor – Once We Were Slaves – American Movie Awards (2015, Winner)
- Best Male Performance Award – Once We Were Slaves – Attic Film Festival (2015, Nominee)
- Best Actor in a Short Film – Once We Were Slaves – Bare Bones International Film Festival (2015, Nominee)
- Best Actor in a Short Film Award – Once We Were Slaves – International Christian Film Festival (2015, Nominee)
- Best Narrative Feature Award & UTA Award shared with Rudolf Buitendach – Where The Road Runs Out – San Diego Film Festival (2014, Winner)
Selected filmography[edit]
| Project | Role | Year | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pups Alone | Lenny | 2021 | Theatrical, Saban, Paramount | |
| Under the Stadium Lights | Producer | 2021 | Theatrical, Saban, Paramount | |
| Destination Marfa | Vincent, The Hitchhiker | 2021 | Released on DVD, Amazon, and Vudu | |
| The Penitent Thief | Tiran | 2020 | Amazon, On Demand | |
| The Chosen | Moses | 2020 | PeacockTV | |
| Infidel | Pierre Barthes | 2020 | Cloudburst, Universal | |
| Bernie the Dolphin | Brock Winters | 2019 | Lionsgate | |
| I Am That Man | Detective Olsen | 2019 | On Demand | |
| The Message (Camp Arrowhead) | Gerald Walker | 2019 | On Demand | |
| Rapid Eye Movement | Steve Larabee | 2019 | Theatrical | |
| Running for Grace | Mayor | 2018 | Blue Fox, Netflix | |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 | Ajax | 2018 | Video Game | |
| No Postage Necessary | Agent Ames | 2018 | ||
| Arrested Development | "Gator" | 2018 | Episode | |
| Death House | Dr. Roos | 2018 | ||
| The Haves and the Have Nots | Dino Malone | 2018 | Episode | |
| The Cleaning Lady | Michael | 2018 | ||
| Odious | Eddie | 2017 | ||
| Blood in the Water | Marius Roos | 2017 | ||
| Army Dog | Sheriff Bill | 2017 | ||
| Uncharted: The Lost Legacy | Shoreline Mercenary | 2017 | Video Game | |
| Windsor | Pierre Gandy | 2017 | ||
| Pronoia | Jeff | 2017[32] | short | |
| Cassidy Way | Truck Driver | 2016 | ||
| Apartment 407 | Alfonso | 2016 | ||
| Media | Howard Boston | 2016 | Television Movie | |
| Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare | Shoreline Mercenary | 2016 | Video Game | |
| Uncharted 4: A Thief's End | Villain Sniper | 2016 | Video Game | |
| American Genius | David Sarnoff | 2015 | ||
| Togetherness | Yanni | 2015 | Episode | |
| Eisenstein in Guanajuato | Hunter S. Kimbrough | 2015 | ||
| The Making of the Mob: New York | Joe Masseria | 2015 | 2 episodes | |
| Once We Were Slaves | Demas | 2014 | ||
| Pacific Standard Time | Marius Roos | 2014 | ||
| Person of Interest | Aris Zappo | 2014 | 1 Episode | |
| Jimmy | Mr. Laney | 2013 | ||
| Selling Isobel | Alfonso | 2013 | ||
| The Secret Village | Joe | 2013 | ||
| Awakened | Benny | 2013 | ||
| Where the Road Runs Out | Martin | 2012 | ||
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier | Nigerian Mercenary / Additional Voices | 2012 | Video Game | |
| Breakout Kings | Malko | 2012 | 1 Episode: "Double Down" | |
| Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception | Indian Ocean Pirates / Various Characters | 2011 | Video Game | |
| A Million Colours | Major Shawn Dixon | 2011 | ||
| Undercovers | Hollis Kruger | 2010 | 1 Episode: "Instructions" | |
| Mass Effect 2 | Eclipse Security Guard | 2010 | Video Game Stolen Memory DLC | |
| Army of Two: The 40th Day | Russian Elite / Russian Grunt / SA Guard / SA Elite / SA Grunt | 2010 | Video Game | |
| A Million Colours | Major Shawn Dixon | 2010 | Worldwide Release | |
| The Suite Life on Deck | Stefan | 2010 | 1 episode: "Breakup in Paris" | |
| What If... | Joel | 2010 | Worldwide Release | |
| Finding Hope Now | Ruben | 2010 | ||
| Red Alert 3: Uprising | Sergei | 2009 | Video Game | |
| Without a Trace | Dimitri Melvychenko | 2009 | 1 Episode: "Heartbeats" | |
| My Own Worst Enemy: Conspiracy Theory | Oliver Chelovich / John Bentley | 2008 | 2 Episodes | |
| Corrado | Antonio | 2008 | Worldwide Release | |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | Sergei | 2008 | Video Game | |
| Starship Troopers 3: Marauder | "Bull" Brittles | 2008 | Video | |
| NCIS | Danny Coyle | 2007 | 1 Episode: "Requiem" | |
| Ugly Betty | Steve | 2007 | Recurring 8 Episodes | |
| My Super Ex Girlfriend | Leo | 2006 | Worldwide Release | |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Phil Bartoli | 2005 | 1 Episode: "Unchained" | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Milan Zergin | 2005 | 1 Episode: "Night" | |
| All My Children | Guard Berger | 2003 | 7 Episodes | |
| Midnight Club II | Primo | 2003 | Video Game | |
| A Beautiful Mind | Lab Technician | 2001 | Worldwide Release | |
| Astoria | Nick | 2000 | US & Greece Theatrical | |
| The Sopranos | Gaetano Giarizzio | 2000 | 1 Episode: "Full Leather Jacket" | |
| Guiding Light | Mr Black | 2000 | 2 Episodes | |
| Pulp Comics: The Jim Breuer Show | Dan Schaffner | 1998 | 1 Episode | |
| Close Up | Frankie | 1996 | ||
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Antonio | 1995–1996 | 2 Episodes |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "10 Things You Don't Know About Stelio Savante". 20 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_arts_literature_usa/arthro/actor_producer_stelio_savante_on_his_part_greek_heritage_and_career_in_films-2435435/[dead link]
- ^ "American Movie Award winner SAG nominee Stelio Savante".
- ^ "Stelio Savante". IMDb.
- ^ @StelioSavante (6 July 2021). "@Wikipedia U & your website are A joke. My descent is Greek, Italian, Ashkenazi, British, & Anatolian. How dare U pu…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Savante Stelio's himself for big break . . .(Entertainment)". Daily News. Durban. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2014. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
- ^ "SA-born actor Savante having a smashing time in Tinseltown". The Star. Gauteng. 21 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2014. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
- ^ Molosankwe, Botho (21 February 2012). "Actor courts a career on big screen". Independent Online. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ Ottermann, Birgit (17 July 2007). "Ugly Betty with a Stelio twist". News24. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "The 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". SAGAwards.org. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ Gary, Collinson (29 May 2015). "FLICKERING MYTH INTERVIEW: Interview: Stelio Savante talks about The Making of the Mob and American Genius". [1]. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "SPL!NG Movie Review: A Million Colours". 2oceansvibe.com. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Hey You Guys Movie Review: A Million Colours Review". heyyouguys.com. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "True Colours Movie Review: A Million Colours Review". bizommunity.com. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Capetonian Actor Headlines History-Making African Film". sapeople.com. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Equatorial Guinea-Set 'Where The Road Runs Out' Dominates San Diego Film Festival Awards". Indiewire.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ a b "The HeyUGuys Interview: Stelio Savante on Peter Greenaway's Eisenstein, and his career". HeyUGuys.com. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "AFM: Saban Scores North American, U.K. Rights for 'Under the Stadium Lights' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 November 2020.
- ^ "SP Releasing Acquires Sci-Fi DESTINATION MARFA".
- ^ "Grindstone Entertainment Group Acquires Rights to Musical Comedy 'Summertime Dropouts'". 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Film News Roundup: 'Bernie the Dolphin' Movie Backed by Ambi Group". 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Blockchain Media Biz". Variety. 21 March 2018.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (8 September 2011). "Benefit Reading of 110 Stories, With Billy Crudup, Samuel L. Jackson, Kathleen Turner, Presented Sept. 8–9". Playbill. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (8 September 2011). "Benefit Reading of 110 Stories, With Billy Crudup, Samuel L. Jackson, Kathleen Turner, Presented Sept. 8–9". Playbill. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike (22 July 2011). "Stars Turn Out For 9/11 Reading". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "110 Stories' Steven Bauer, Stelio Savante, Diane Venora, Rudolf Buitendach, Sarah Tuft Reflect on September 11". Playbill. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "110 Stories Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of 9/11". Yahoo! Shine. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "110 Stories' Steven Bauer, Stelio Savante, Diane Venora, Rudolf Buitendach, Sarah Tuft Reflect on September 11". Playbill. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Photos: Robert Forster, Mira Sorvino and More Take Part in River Street's 110 STORIES Commemoration".
- ^ "SA actor signs with Hollywood manager". iafrica.com. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "An Interview with Stelio Savante". GlutenFreeAmerica. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ "Pronoia". IMDb.
