Sharlto Copley
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sharlto Copley became one of Africa's most celebrated Actors during the Generation X era.
Sharlto Copley (born November 27, 1973) is a South African producer, actor, and director who has produced and co-directed short films which have appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as commercials and music videos. He is perhaps best known for playing the roles of Wikus van der Merwe in the Oscar-nominated science fiction film District 9 and H. M. Murdock in the 2010 adaptation of The A-Team. Description above from the Wikipedia article Sharlto Copley, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full lis
"His breakthrough performance as Wikus van der Merwe in "District 9" launched him onto the international stage, earning critical acclaim for his nuanced portrayal of a bureaucratic everyman caught in an alien conflict." — About Sharlto Copley
| Metric | Sharlto Copley | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 52 | 53 | -1 yrs |
| Career length | 34 yrs | ~35 yrs | -1 yrs |
| Based on 3888 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Sharlto Copley
Did you know that Sharlto Copley was initially the producer of "District 9" and only took on the lead role of Wikus van der Merwe after struggling to find the right actor?
- He often improvises his dialogue, notably in "District 9" and "Chappie", bringing authenticity to his roles.
- Before acting, he was a successful producer and director of commercials and short films in South Africa.
- He is a childhood friend and frequent collaborator of director Neill Blomkamp, dating back to their youth.
- He had no formal acting training before landing the lead role in the Oscar-nominated "District 9".
- He played the voice of the robot "Chappie" in the film of the same name, a complex motion-capture performance.
His breakthrough performance as Wikus van der Merwe in "District 9" launched him onto the international stage, earning critical acclaim for his nuanced portrayal of a bureaucratic everyman caught in an alien conflict. This role, which he largely improvised, showcased his unique talent and versatility, establishing him as a compelling leading actor.
Copley is known for bringing a distinctive, often improvisational, and intensely human quality to his diverse roles, particularly within the sci-fi genre. His work has helped to cement Neill Blomkamp's unique vision of grounded, gritty science fiction.