Biography for
Stelio Savante More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

24 April 1970, Cape Town, South Africa

Height

6' 0½" (1.84 m)

Mini Biography

Born & raised in Cape Town, Stelio became South Africa's first male SAG award nominee for his role on "Ugly Betty" (2006) in 2007. He has made his home in The United States since 1990, when he relocated from South Africa courtesy of a tennis scholarship. His popularity in South Africa has advanced the independent films Bad Ass (2009), What If... (2010/I), Finding Hope Now (2011), and the upcoming A Million Colours (2011) to elicit offers for & achieve theatrical & DVD distribution.

Was inducted into the Alpha Psi Omega honors society with colors for his achievement in collegiate theater at the University of West Alabama. Represented UWA's men's tennis & football teams.

Made his prime-time television debut in 2005 on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) as Bosnian Muslim fundamentalist Milan Zergin (guest star lead). The episode was submitted for several awards including an Emmy nomination for Angela Lansbury as outstanding guest actress.

After living in NY for fifteen years he moved to Los Angeles in 2006 for the recurring role of 'Steve' on "Ugly Betty" (2006). Received his SAG nomination for this role in 2007. Memorable guest star roles include an Italian American gangster opposite Chris Noth on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001), a military contractor opposite Mark Harmon on "NCIS" (2003), a two episode arc as a secret agency experimental victim on "My Own Worst Enemy: Conspiracy Theory" (2008), Russian lover to Ivana Milicevic on "Without a Trace" (2002), & a French art thief on the "The Suite Life on Deck" (2008).

Returned to South Africa in 2010 to film A Million Colours (2011) portraying the role of Major Shawn Dixon which was originally offered to Barry Pepper.

First portrayed a South African on prime time TV in J.J. Abrams espionage themed series "Undercovers" (2010), as guest lead 'Hollis Kruger' opposite Boris Kodjoe.

Has starred opposite several Academy award winners & nominees including Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind (2001), Samuel L. Jackson in 110 Stories, Susan Sarandon in 110 Stories, Uma Thurman in My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), Salma Hayek in "Ugly Betty" (2006), Melissa Leo in 110 Stories, John Hawkes in 110 Stories, Kathleen Turner in 110 Stories, Ruby Dee in 110 Stories, Angela Lansbury in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999), & Marianne Jean-Baptiste in "NCIS" (2003).

To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Stelio produced & starred in 110 Stories at the Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU. Directed by Gregory Mosher, the cast alongside Stelio included Stephen Baldwin, Mario Cantone, Billy Crudup, Noah Emmerich, Jessica Hecht, Katie Holmes, Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa Leo, Ralph Macchio, Aasif Mandvi, Cynthia Nixon, Vincent Piazza, Jeremy Piven, Andre Royo, Pablo Schreiber, Annabella Sciorra, Tony Shalhoub, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tamara Tunie, Kathleen Turner, Ben Vereen, & Merritt Wever. Proceeds for charity were donated to the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

Was recently recognized for his charitable performances & contribution to '110 Stories' when 'David P Levin' featured Savante in the Biography channel documentary When Pop Culture Saved America: A 9-11 Story (2011) (TV) , starring Patricia Heaton, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen & many others.

His screenplay, Trust in Her (2013), co-written with Nick Efteriades, is being produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, & cast by John Papsidera. Savante also co stars & serves as producer.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Publicist

Spouse

Carla Pina

(? - ?)

Trade Mark

Forehead scar from childhood accident

Trivia

Maintains South African citizenship and speaks several languages.

Is a pupil of Robert X Modica (Meisner technique) and Deborah Kampmeier (Michael Howard Studios).

Has a 5.0 United States Tennis Assocation rating.

Named #19 on Elle Magazine's (international edition) HOT 40 List for 2006 and was also chosen as the 'Man Of Style' for InStyle magazine's (international edition) in September 2007.

Endorses several prestigious South African wine estates and TAG Heuer South Africa.

He's only played a South African once but has been cast as an American, Russian, Italian American, Bosnian/Serbian, Greek, German, French, Rhodesian, and Ecuadorian among other nationalities.

Is the only original cast member of 110 Stories. In 2001, Sarah Tuft directed Stelio in the lead role of Ecuadorian photographer Bolivar Arellano opposite Susan Sarandon, John Turturro, James Gandolfini, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Edie Falco, Mary Stuart Masterson and Daniel Sunjata, at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York. Savante was then invited to study with Robert Modica of the Neighborhood Playhouse and Sanford Meisner fame. Reprised the role of Bolivar at the Geffen Playhouse in 2010.

His villainous characters have often met ugly deaths. In Corrado(2009) Stelio's character Antonio was buried alive in the trunk of a car by the lead character Corrado, portrayed by Johnny Messner. While, in Ugly Betty(2006), his character Steve was buried alive in a coffin by Bradford Meade, portrayed by Alan Dale. In Starship Troopers 3: Marauder(2008)his character Bull Brittles was impaled by Behemecoatyl. While in The Suite Life On Deck(2008), his character Stephane was impaled by The Eiffel Tower.

Has been directed by several Academy Award winners and nominees. In 2001 by Ron Howard in A Beautiful Mind, in 2005 by Juan Jose Campanella in Law & Order SVU, and again in 2005 by Joan Stein in Solidarity. Also in 2009 by Ivan Reitman in My Super Ex Girlfriend.

To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Stelio produced and performed in 110 Stories at the Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU. Directed by Gregory Mosher, the cast included Stephen Baldwin, Mario Cantone, Billy Crudup, Noah Emmerich, Katie Holmes, Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa Leo, Ralph Macchio, Aasif Mandvi, James McCaffrey, Cynthia Nixon, Vincent Piazza, Jeremy Piven, Andre Royo, Stelio Savante, Pablo Schreiber, Annabella Sciorra, Tony Shalhoub, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tamara Tunie, Kathleen Turner, Ben Vereen and Merritt Wever. Proceeds for charity were given to the New York Says Thank You Foundation.