Biography and filmography

Stelio Savante

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.

Photos

Movies (56)

Dark Horse

Dark Horse

2027 · Luis Alncantera

Kill Trip

Kill Trip

2026 · Hank

Vindication: Search and Rescue

Vindication: Search and Rescue

2026 · Government Agent Stevens

Stay Forte

Stay Forte

2025

Sarah's Oil: el oro negro

Sarah's Oil: el oro negro

2025 · Earl

Hazel's Heart

Hazel's Heart

2025 · William

Between Borders

Between Borders

2025 · Duane

Saint Nick of Bethlehem

Saint Nick of Bethlehem

2024 · Harvey

Fresh Kills

Fresh Kills

2024 · Nello

unDEFILED

unDEFILED

2024 · Coach Joe Baines

Condition of Return

Condition of Return

2023

MobKing

MobKing

2023

Nefarious: La Palabra Del Diablo

Nefarious: La Palabra Del Diablo

2023 · Detective Russo

El precio del perdon

El precio del perdon

2022 · Scott

Find Her

Find Her

2022 · Felix Leonard

Pursuit of Freedom

Pursuit of Freedom

2022 · Bedros

Blackwood

Blackwood

2022 · Henri

Nuestros pobres angelitos

Nuestros pobres angelitos

2021 · Lenny

Destination Marfa

Destination Marfa

2021 · Vincent (The Hitchhiker), Producer

Al Lado de Cristo

Al Lado de Cristo

2021 · Tiran, Producer

The Message

The Message

2020 · Gerald Walker

Infidel

Infidel

2019 · Pierre Barthes

Selling Isobel

Selling Isobel

2019 · Alfonso

Bernie, el delfín

Bernie, el delfín

2018 · Brock Winters / The Mayor

La Muchacha de la limpieza

La Muchacha de la limpieza

2018 · Michael

El joven doctor: Un amor imposible

El joven doctor: Un amor imposible

2018 · Mayor

No Postage Necessary

No Postage Necessary

2018 · Agent Ames

Avalanche

Avalanche

2018 · Nate

Windsor

Windsor

2016 · Pierre Gandy

Blood in the Water

Blood in the Water

2016 · Marius Roos

Cassidy Way

Cassidy Way

2016 · Truck Driver

Army Dog

Army Dog

2016 · Sheriff Bill McCallister

Eisenstein in Guanajuato

Eisenstein in Guanajuato

2015 · Hunter S. Kimbrough

Where the Road Runs Out

Where the Road Runs Out

2014 · Martin

The Two Thieves

The Two Thieves

2014 · Demas

The Secret Village

The Secret Village

2013 · Joe

Despertada

Despertada

2013 · Benny Dawson

Jimmy

Jimmy

2013 · Mr. Laney

Stealing Roses

Stealing Roses

2012 · Joey

Poe

Poe

2012 · Johnathon Poe

Protegiendo al enemigo

Protegiendo al enemigo

2012 · Soccer Stadium Commentator (uncredited)

A Million Colours

A Million Colours

2011 · Major Shawn Dixon

3 Blind Saints

3 Blind Saints

2011 · Frankie

Que Pasaría Si...

Que Pasaría Si...

2010 · Joel Muller

Starship Troopers 3: merodeador

Starship Troopers 3: merodeador

2008 · Chief Bull Brittles

Live Fast, Die Young

Live Fast, Die Young

2008 · Rupe

Mi súper ex-novia

Mi súper ex-novia

2006 · Leo

The Coldest Winter

The Coldest Winter

2005

Solidarity

Solidarity

2005 · Adam

Una Mente Brillante

Una Mente Brillante

2001 · Technician

Astoria

Astoria

2000 · Nick

The Mob Priest

The Mob Priest

· Diamond Dan

Candles

Candles

The December Cross

The December Cross

· Officer Ralph, Executive Producer

Poachers Moon

Poachers Moon

· Commanding Officer Ben Miller

Do Not Open

Do Not Open

· Producer

TV shows (14)