Stelio Savante, a New York-based actor, producer, filmmaker and former Capetonian, is making waves in the entertainment industry with his latest roles.
Savante is currently starring in the noir thriller What Remains on Starz alongside Anne Heche, Kellan Lutz and Cress Williams. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Moses in Netflix’s biblical hit The Chosen and will make a guest appearance on the animated series Captain Fall, set to debut on 28 July.
Savante’s success comes on the heels of a significant milestone in his personal life. Like many others, he was blindsided by a law implemented in 1995 that stripped him of his South African citizenship, even though he had immigrated to the United States prior to its enactment.
Recently, Savante joined thousands of South Africans in celebrating the South African Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the law unconstitutional. This victory ensures that South Africans no longer lose their citizenship when acquiring citizenship from other nations.
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Despite his achievements as a character actor in theatre, TV series and a string of internationally released independent and studio films that have collectively grossed nearly $400 million at the global box office, Savante remains deeply connected to South Africa.
As a former resident of Camps Bay and Rondebosch, he holds his South African roots close to his heart and embraces opportunities to film and visit the country whenever possible.
Savante’s remarkable career spans over three decades, earning him critical acclaim from renowned film critics such as Richard Propes and Jackie K. Cooper. With an impressive list of 135 international credits, he has built a solid reputation in the industry.
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Among his recent credits is the Netflix film Running For Grace, where he appeared alongside Matt Dillon and Jim Caviezel.
He also starred in the indie box office hit Nefarious with Sean Patrick Flanery, the action thriller Infidel with Jim Caviezel and Claudia Karvan for MGM, and the dark comedy Angry Neighbors for Lionsgate, featuring Frank Langella, Bobby Cannavale, Stockard Channing and Ashley Benson.

Savante’s talent has also been recognised at various film markets and festivals, including Berlin, Cannes and Tribeca. His roles in Jennifer Esposito’s directorial debut, Fresh Kills, opposite Domenick Lombardozzi, Annabella Sciorra and Esposito, garnered attention.
Additionally, his performance in the human trafficking thriller Pursuit of Freedom earned the film the ‘Best Film’ award at the Anatolia International Film Festival and the Switzerland International Film Festival. It was also nominated for a human rights award by the Political Film Society of America.

South Africans may also recognise Savante’s voice from the Call of Duty video game franchise, where he portrays the leading specialist character, Ajax. Furthermore, he portrayed Major Shawn Dixon in the SAFTA-winning film A Million Colours, also known as Colors Of Heaven, which was acquired by Netflix.
With his recent achievements, Savante continues to shine on the global stage, captivating audiences with his multifaceted performances. As he further expands his remarkable body of work, we can anticipate more groundbreaking roles and memorable contributions to the world of entertainment from this exceptional Capetonian talent.
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Picture: Supplied