The 6 Pillars for A.C.T.O.R.S.
In 2021, award-winning actor Neil Sandilands can be seen starring in Netflix’s highly anticipated, sci-fi/fantasy drama series “Sweet Tooth.” Based on the beloved DC Vertigo comics by Jeff Lemire and executive produced by Robert Downey Jr., the show follows a boy who is half human and half deer, and is searching for a new beginning in a post-apocalyptic world. Sandilands shines as General Abbot, (opposite Dania Ramirez, Christian Convery, and Nonso Anozie) a self-appointed general who leads through wit, intimidation, and quirkiness. “Sweet Tooth” is slated to premiere on June 4, 2021.
In film, Sandilands was most recently seen starring as Wilhelm Leonberger opposite Tom Hanks in Universal Pictures’ Academy Award nominated feature “News of the World” (2020) directed by Paul Greengrass. A master of disguise, Sandilands recently starred as super villain “Big Bad” Clifford Devoe/The Thinker on The CW’s hit show “The Flash.” Additional television credits include starring as the contentious, mythological character Titus in “The 100” for The CW, AMC/Sundance TV’s “Hap and Leonard” opposite James Purefoy, Michael K. Williams, Christina Hendricks, Jimmi Simpson and Bill Sage, “House MD,” “The Americans” and “NCIS: LA.” In 2018, Sandilands starred opposite Eric Roberts in an indie biopic about Frank Sinatra entitled “Frank and Ava” as famed Hollywood director, Fred Zinneman. 2019 featured his portrayal as The Violator in Lionsgate’s “The Drone” – a contemporary homage to the film “Child’s Play.” Also in 2019, “Coyote Lake” introduced Sandilands to the Latin market, as he starred alongside Oscar nominee Adriana Barrazza, as well as Manny Perez and Camilla Mendez.
Born in the mining town of Randfontein, South Africa, Sandilands is arguably one of the country’s most versatile actors, bringing characters to life in film and television for over three decades, having started his professional acting career at just fourteen years old. Sandilands is the eldest of three children, his father having been a mining professional and his mother a teacher. He attended boarding school in neighboring town Krugersdorp and with the help of an encouraging teacher, booked his first television acting gig in “Meester” (The Master) in 1989. Sandilands received his bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Rand Afrikaans University. He received an honorary award for his contribution to Arts & Culture from the University, having won its Theatre Festival three years consecutively with plays that he had written and starred in, as well as initiating an International Film Festival.
Sandilands crossed the international divide in 2003 with the arthouse film “Proteus” by Canadian director John Greyson, and by 2007 he was a household name in South Africa. He is well known for his portrayal of Bart Kruger in the South African soap opera “7de Laan.” However, Sandilands had his sights on an international career, and has made the transition seamlessly. While Sandilands can currently be seen appearing in projects with a global reach, he still works often in South Africa where he performs in his native tongue, Afrikaans (English is his second language).
In May of 2021, Sandilands released his debut album “Sangoma Sandilands & Jou Pa se Posse – Maanskyn”, in his native tongue, Afrikaans. The album leaped to Number 1 on iTunes South Africa’s charts in 24 hours. Sandilands considers this album an artistic and literary contribution to his country of birth. He collaborated with the cream of South African musicians to produce this 10 track album, writing and composing 7 of the tracks, performing lead vocals and playing the ukulele. He had two previous #1 hits with renowned South African performer Karen Zoid.
Accolades for Sandilands include being a recipient of the South African Academy of Arts and Sciences award for his directorial work on “Impresario” – a 21-episode documentary. In 2014 he received a Clio, also as a documentary director. Sandilands is most proud of the fact that he played rugby in South Africa, America, England, Wales and Ireland, and regards the South African Rugby World Cup victory in 2019, for the 3rd time, a miraculous anomaly. He enjoys fishing and cites his philosophical development as being most influenced by Camus, Wittgenstein, Deleuze and Nietzsche, in reverse order. He would love to portray Nietzsche or the character Meursault from Camus’ “L’Étranger” in the future.
Sandilands currently splits his time between South Africa, and Los Angeles, California.
Resources
LINKS:
- IMDB: Neil Sandilands
- INSTAGRAM: @realsandilands
- FACEBOOK: /realsandilands
- YOUTUBE MUSIC: Listen to Neil’s Album!
QUOTES:
“I am first a human being and then I’m an actor.”
“I think your most valuable auditions are probably the ones that you don’t book.”
“Make every breath [in life] count.”
VIDEOS:
Credits:
- WRITER: Erin McCluskey
- SOUND DESIGN: Zachary Jameson
- WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
- ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
- SOCIAL OUTREACH: Bebe Katsenes
