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.
Known For
Credits
- 2027 · Dark Horse as Luis Alncantera
- 2026 · Kill Trip as Hank
- 2026 · Vindication: Search and Rescue as Government Agent Stevens
- 2025 · Stay Forte as
- 2025 · Sarah's Oil as Earl
- 2025 · Hazel's Heart as William
- 2025 · Between Borders as Duane
- 2024 · Saint Nick of Bethlehem as Harvey
- 2024 · Fresh Kills as Nello
- 2024 · unDEFILED as Coach Joe Baines
- 2023 · Condition of Return as
- 2023 · MobKing as
- 2023 · Nefarious as Detective Russo
- 2022 · What Remains as Scott
- 2022 · Find Her as Felix Leonard
- 2022 · Pursuit of Freedom as Bedros
- 2022 · Blackwood as Henri
- 2021 · Pups Alone as Lenny
- 2021 · Destination Marfa as Vincent (The Hitchhiker)
- 2021 · The Penitent Thief as Tiran
- 2020 · The Message as Gerald Walker
- 2019 · Infidel as Pierre Barthes
- 2019 · Selling Isobel as Alfonso
- 2019 · The Chosen as Moses
- 2018 · Bernie the Dolphin as Brock Winters / The Mayor
- 2018 · FBI as Fabian Shabani
- 2018 · The Cleaning Lady as Michael
- 2018 · Running for Grace as Mayor
- 2018 · No Postage Necessary as Agent Ames
- 2018 · Avalanche as Nate
- 2017 · S.W.A.T. as Omar Morina
- 2016 · Windsor as Pierre Gandy
- 2016 · Blood in the Water as Marius Roos
- 2016 · Cassidy Way as Truck Driver
- 2016 · Army Dog as Sheriff Bill McCallister
- 2015 · American Genius as David Sarnoff
- 2015 · Eisenstein in Guanajuato as Hunter S. Kimbrough
- 2015 · Togetherness as Yanni
- 2014 · Where the Road Runs Out as Martin
- 2013 · The Secret Village as Joe
- 2013 · Awakened as Benny Dawson
- 2013 · Jimmy as Mr. Laney
- 2012 · Poe as Johnathon Poe
- 2012 · Safe House as Soccer Stadium Commentator (uncredited)
- 2011 · Person of Interest as Aris Zappo
- 2011 · A Million Colours as Major Shawn Dixon
- 2010 · What if... as Joel Muller
- 2008 · The Suite Life on Deck as Stéphane
- 2008 · Starship Troopers 3: Marauder as Chief Bull Brittles
- 2006 · Ugly Betty as Steve
- 2006 · My Super Ex-Girlfriend as Leo
- 2003 · Arrested Development as Gator
- 2003 · NCIS as Danny Coyle
- 2002 · Without a Trace as Dimitri
- 2001 · A Beautiful Mind as Technician
- 2001 · Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Phil Bartoli
- 1999 · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Milan Zergin
- 1999 · The Sopranos as Gaetano Giarizzo
- Future · Candles as
- Future · The December Cross as Officer Ralph
- Future · The Mob Priest as Diamond Dan
- 2014 · The Two Thieves as Demas
- 2012 · Stealing Roses as Joey
- 2011 · 3 Blind Saints as Frankie
- 2008 · Live Fast, Die Young as Rupe
- 2005 · The Coldest Winter as
- 2005 · Solidarity as Adam
- Future · Do Not Open as
- Future · Poachers Moon as Commanding Officer Ben Miller
- 2000 · Astoria as Nick