Biography

South African actor Stelio Savante is a prolific, multilingual SAG award nominee & US citizen with over 140 international credits over the last four decades. A steady product of leading, large supporting, & recurring roles in television, & international theatrically released features that have accumulated almost $400million in world-wide box office, & leading roles in billion dollar grossing video game franchises. Film critic Richard Propes writes "...I've long reviewed the work of the wonderful Stelio Savante and I must say that Savante is absolutely stellar..."

He will next be seen in three titles based on true life stories. Drama Between Borders (2024) opposite Elizabeth Tabish and Elizabeth Mitchell, directed by Mark Freiburger, survival thriller Hazel opposite Laurie Fortier directed by Daniel Bielinski, and Sarah's Oil (2025) opposite Zachary Levi, Garret Dillahunt, and Sonequa Martin-Green for Amazon MGM and Kingdom Story Company.

Stars directly opposite Anne Heche in her last performance on film, STARZ's theatrically released noir What Remains (2022). Produced by Ralph Winter & directed by Nathan Scoggins, What Remains premiered at the Austin film festival. Also starring in Netflix's animated series, Captain Fall (2023), Savante returned to comedy starring opposite Academy Award nominee Frank Langella, Bobby Cannavale & Ashley Benson in Lionsgate's Angry Neighbors (2022) produced by Academy Award nominee Kerry Orent. Film critic Jackie K. Cooper writes "Stelio Savante is a favorite actor of mine, he's always good in everything he does."

Starred as South African journalist & Mossad agent 'Pierre Barthes' opposite Jim Caviezel & Claudia Karvan in the MGM internationally distributed Middle-Eastern action thriller Infidel (2019) by Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award winner director Cyrus Nowrasteh who states: "Stelio is a fantastic actor & creative partner. Look for more great things from him." Savante is also starring opposite Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon & as Portuguese coffee plantation Mayor Alvares in David L. Cunningham 's Running for Grace (2018) on Netflix.

Also opposite Domenick Lombardozzi, Annabella Sciorra in Jennifer Esposito directorial debut Fresh Kills (2023), and in the psychological thriller Nefarious (2023) starring opposite Sean Patrick Flanery. He starred as Moses in Dallas Jenkins Biblical hit series, The Chosen (2017) on Netflix & Peacock TV. Sarah D. Bunting, writes "...Stelio is reminiscent of James Gandolfini...I liked a certain gravitas-emblance that I saw in Stelio...".

Originally of Greek, Italian, British, Ashkenazi, & Anatolian descent, he is a popular choice of critically acclaimed filmmakers, and has worked on four continents for notable filmmakers including J.J. Abrams, Ron Howard, Academy Award winner Juan José Campanella, Academy Award nominee Ivan Reitman, Cyrus Nowrasteh, BAFTA award winner Peter Greenaway, Independent Spirit Award winner & Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee Przemyslaw Reut, Mark Duplass & Jay Duplass, Academy Award nominee Joan Stein Schimke, Academy Award winner Tyler Perry, Dallas Jenkins, Jon Iver Helgaker, & Jonas Torgersen.

Early credits include David Chase's The Sopranos (1999) and opposite Academy Award winner Russell Crowe in Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind (2001). His breakthrough lead role came in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) directed by Juan José Campanella & starring directly opposite Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni, Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper & Academy Award nominee Angela Lansbury, as the chilling yet engaging fundamentalist Milan Zergin. Also, a recurring role on Ugly Betty (2006) produced by Academy Award nominee Salma Hayek, becoming South Africa's first male SAG Award nominee (Ensemble Comedy Performance) in 2007. Followed by a supporting role opposite Luke Wilson, & Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman in Twentieth Century Fox's My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) directed by Ivan Reitman . And an ensemble lead in Sony's sci-fi franchised, Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008) produced by Academy Award nominee David Lancaster, directed by Edward Neumeier. Additionally, lead & supporting roles in the award-winning films A Million Colours (2011), Apartment 407 (2016), The Cleaning Lady (2018), What If... (2010), Where the Road Runs Out (2014), and as part of the lead ensemble of Peter Greenaway's Golden Bear nominated international co production Eisenstein in Guanajuato (2015), Stelio was nominated for a Teddy Award at Berlin film festival.

Recurring & guest star roles including in NBC's My Own Worst Enemy: Conspiracy Theory (2008), in Mark Duplass & Jay Duplass' comedic series Togetherness (2015) for HBO, as pioneer David Sarnoff in the Nat-Geo mini-series American Genius (2015), in J.J. Abrams' Undercovers (2010) & Person of Interest (2011), opposite Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste & Ivana Milicevic in Without a Trace (2002), & opposite Annabella Sciorra in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001). Additionally Breakout Kings (2011), NCIS (2003), and The Suite Life on Deck (2008). Lauded by The Examiner's Diane Zoller Ciatto for his recurring portrayal as Joe 'The Boss' Masseria in AMC's The Making of the Mob (2015). ET's Nischelle Turner applauded his understatedly powerful turn as Howard Boston opposite Brian White in TV One's Media (2017). Regarding Savante's role in Pronoia (2017), Pop Matters critic Paul Risker states: "Savante has a strong sense of presence as a silent, almost introverted character." South African film critic Stephen Aspeling states: "We're entranced by the mysterious man at the center of Pronoia, Stelio Savante. His mercurial performance keeps us guessing, unsettled and on edge, waiting for him to explode with answers".

Volunteers his time performing & producing Sarah Tuft's "110 Stories" at The Geffen Playhouse, NYU Skirball, The Public Theatre, Ebony Rep, & the William Alderson Studio Theatre directly opposite the following fellow cast: Edie Falco, Academy Award nominee John Hawkes, Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino, Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, Academy Award nominee Kathleen Turner, John Turturro, & Diane Venora.

His two decades of regional & Off-Broadway stage credits include favorable reviews from the NY Times. A student of Robert X. Modica, Deborah Kampmeier, William Alderson, & Diane Venora, his training is rooted in theater & improvisation but influenced by the eras of French New Wave & Italian Neo-Realism. Was acknowledged by Academy Award winner Al Pacino, Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham & several NY theater critics for his lead performance in Mortal Coils, directed by the Actor's Studio's Ed Setrakian at the Mint Theater.

A popular voice over artist, he voices 'Ajax' in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018) and in Call of Duty: Mobile (2022). Was inducted into the Alpha Psi Omega honors society for his achievement in American collegiate theater. Served on the actor's panel of the 2014 San Diego film festival with Josh Duhamel, Academy Award nominee Tom Berenger & Dennis Haysbert, hosted by Variety & film critic Jeffrey Lyons. Is a board member of the River Street Theater Company; alongside Robert Carnegie, Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum, Academy Award nominee David Mamet, Academy Award winner Jon Voight & president, William Alderson.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Management - Pamela Wagner