Stelio Savante

Biography

South African actor Stelio Savante is a prolific, award winning actor with 150 international credits over the last four decades. A steady product of leading, large supporting, & recurring roles, opposite acclaimed actors on stage & in television, and international theatrically released features, that have accumulated over $400 million in world-wide box office, & in leading roles in multiple billion dollar grossing video game franchises. He is currently starring in three titles based on true life stories. Israeli-Hamas Oct 7th war drama Stay Forte (2026) opposite Selma Blair & Judd Hirsch, directed by acclaimed Israeli filmmaker and Cannes alumnus, Doron Eran. Stay Forte releases theatrically in the fall of 2026. Savante learned fluent Gazan Arabic in order to portray the head of Hamas. In the epic biographical drama Sarah's Oil (2025) opposite Zachary Levi, Garret Dillahunt, & Sonequa Martin-Green for Amazon MGM, directed by TIFF audience award winning director Cyrus Nowrasteh. Sarah’s Oil won an NAACP Image award and grossed around $12 million at the US box office. And also as the male lead in Samuel Goldwyn's survival thriller Hazel's Heart (2025) opposite Laurie Fortier directed by Daniel Bielinski, streaming on ANGEL Studios platform. Savante most recently wrapped on the Dominican true life refugee drama Rescued starring opposite Kristofer Polaha & Sarah Lancaster, the Brazilian political thriller Dark Horse, starring opposite Jim Caviezel, Esai Morales, & Lynn Collins, and also in the serial killer thriller Green River Killer, starring opposite David Arquette, Nick Stahl, Vincent Kartheiser, & Rainey Qualley. Following a 15-year NYC theater career, Stelio landed a riveting primetime guest-star role in Law & Order: SVU, followed by 6th billing in 20th Century Fox’s comedy My Super Ex-Girlfriend starring with Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, Anna Faris, & Rainn Wilson, & a recurring role in ABC’s Ugly Betty, becoming South Africa’s first male SAG award nominee (ensemble cast). Stars directly opposite Anne Heche in her final film performance, the noir What Remains on Paramount Plus. Produced by Ralph Winter & directed by Nathan Scoggins, What Remains premiered at the Austin film festival. Also in the immigrant drama Between Borders opposite Elizabeth Tabish & Elizabeth Mitchell, on Angel Studios platform, & opposite Academy Award nominee Frank Langella, Bobby Cannavale & Ashley Benson in Lionsgate's Angry Neighbors produced by Academy Award nominee Kerry Orent.