International South Africans

Anton Rupert


Film/TV
Sasha Pieterse Known for her role as Alison DiLaurentis on “Pretty Little Liars,” Sasha Pieterse, 19, was born in Johannesburg before moving to the U.S.



Orlando Bloom



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Richard E. Grant been spotted in films including “Gosford Park,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” and TV shows such as “Downton Abbey” and “Girls.” He was born in Swaziland, and his father was minister of education before the former British colony was emancipated in 1968. His mother was of German-South African origin. Grant studied drama at the University of Cape Town, and became successful in film and theater in London,

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Arnold Vosloo “The Mummy”

Dean Geyer Dean Geyer was relatively unknown to American audiences until he landed the role as Brody Weston on the fourth season of “Glee,” an American musical comedy-drama TV

Sienna Miller Although she was born in New York City, Miller had a South African-born model mother - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1886/you-didnt-realize-were-celebrities-from-south-africa/11/#sthash.hdY718Mi.dpuf

Charlize Theron actually grew up in South Africa (her first language is Afrikaans). Born in Benoni in then-Transvaal Province, she grew up on her parents’ farm outside Johannesburg. At 13, she was sent to boarding school and began studying at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg until she moved to Los Angeles at 19 to join the movie business.'

Bijou Phillips A “wild child” of Hollywood, Phillips had an on-again-off-again film career. She seemed as American as cheeseburgers, but Phillips split most of her childhood between New York, California and South Africa, on account of her South African model mother Genevieve Waite. Her dad was John Phillips, singer with the Mamas and the Papas band.


Embeth Davidtz In the movie “Schindler’s List,” there is the subplot where the evil Nazi general played by Ralph Fiennes obsesses over his Jewish maid. The maid was Embeth Davidtz’s breakout role into serious cinema. - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1886/you-didnt-realize-were-celebrities-from-south-africa/10/#sthash.eis953db.dpuf
Sport
Steve Nash - NBA

Authors
JRR Tolkien

Tolkien addressed societal issues in other works, expressing opposition to Stalinism, socialism, and his disgust of racism. He even wrote a fairly well-read piece about racism in South Africa. - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1886/you-didnt-realize-were-celebrities-from-south-africa/3/#sthash.A1NuVIet.dpuf

music

Dave Matthews Born in Johannesburg, Dave Matthews moved back and forth between New York and England from age 2 to 10, but returned to Johannesburg with his family. - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1886/you-didnt-realize-were-celebrities-from-south-africa/5/#sthash.gPb7NAjF.dpuf

Glynis Johns




Trevor Rabin ex Rabbit!
The famous 1980s rock band “Yes” had Trevor Rabin in the front as guitarist, songwriter, bass guitarist, and keyboardist. Rabin was born in Johannesburg to British parents. His father was the lead violinist for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.



Ernie Els “The Big Easy,” or Ernest “Ernie” Els grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was one of the top golfers in the world. He had 65 career victories including two U.S. Open victories in 1994 and 1997. - See more at: http://afkinsider.com/1886/you-didnt-realize-were-celebrities-from-south-africa/12/#sthash.70aHCENR.dpuf