Sam Phillips (18 March 1948 – 16 January 2021), was a South African actor, writer, director, producer and music composer.[1][2] He is best known for the roles in the television serials such as Soul City and Jacob's Cross.[3][4]
Sam Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sam Phillips March 18, 1948 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Died | 16 January 2021 (aged 72) Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Alma mater | Langa High School |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer, director, producer, music composer |
| Years active | 1971–2020 |
| Children | 6 |
Personal life
editMarried and a father of six children: Choppa, Mpho, Mpumi, Late Nomzamo, Mthunzi and Ntsoaki.[5] Phillips died on 16 January 2021 in Johannesburg at the age of 72.[6][7][8]
Career
editSam Phillips studied drama from Langa High School in Cape Town. In the year 1971, he performed in the first black production called The Sacrifice of Kreli. In the same year, he joined the Market Theatre and performed in the Shakespearean play Merchant of Venice. Then in 1974, he joined the non-racial People's Space Theatre where he got the opportunity to perform in the play Lysistrata.[citation needed] The play was the first multi-racial production in South Africa.[citation needed] In 1980, he settled in Johannesburg and had lead roles in many religious programs in early SABC TV 2 such as; Monna wa Cyrene and Ibali lika Yona.[5] In the meantime, he worked as an assistant editor at Kinnerland and Scholtz Filoms for the films such as; Motlhalefi Molefe, Ifa lika Mthetwa and Masechaba.[9]
Having gained the experience, he later directed the play Woza Albert performed at the McGowan theatre at UCLA. The play also had several workshops at the Hollywood Theatre Rapport.[citation needed] Apart from local productions, he joined many international stage plays such as Master Herold and Boys in New Orleans produced by Athol Fugard, Absolom's Song produced by Selaelo Maredi. He also played the main supporting role in the play Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. In 1990, he played the lead in the short Senzeni na?. For his role, he was nominated for Oscar award in Best Short Story category at the American Film Institution (AFI).[9][5]
In 2007, he joined the eighth season of the SABC1 HIV/AIDS drama serial Soul City and played the role of "Odwa". The role became very popular and marked the turning point in his television career. In the same year, he appeared in the M-Net Series Jacob's Cross and played the role of "Wilfred Kau" in four continuous seasons.[5] In 2011, he joined the M-Net soap opera The Wild and played the role of "Kgosi Rratladi Tladi".[10] He continued to play the role until 2012.[9] In 2013, he acted in the kykNET period drama serial Donkerland and then in the second season of Mzansi Magic soapie Isibaya in 2014. His final television role came through the Netflix South Africa supernatural serial Kings of Jo'Burg where he played the supportive role of "Samuel Senior".[citation needed]
As a song producer, Phillips joined Nna Sajene Kokobela and 102 Paradise Complex, where he composed the music for the song "102 Paradise Complex" sung by Brenda Fassie, Nna Sajene Kokobela, Motlhalefi Molefe and Nonwane. Later, he wrote the lyrics for the feature Bopha! which was directed by veteran actor Morgan Freeman.[9]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Die Vierde Kabinet | Minister | TV series | |
| 2005 | City Ses'la | Mr. Cele | TV series | |
| 2005 | Gaz'lam | Portia's father | TV series | |
| 2006 | Heartlines | Principal Matabane | TV series | |
| 2006 | The Lab | Vusi Mambolo | TV series | |
| 2006 | Izoso Connexion | Tshasa | TV series | |
| 2007 | Jacob's Cross | Wilfred Kau | TV series | |
| 2007 | 90 Plein Street | Deputy President | TV series | |
| 2007 | Soul City | Odwa | TV series | |
| 2008 | The Coconuts | The Old Man | TV series | |
| 2011 | Erfsondes | Mvuyisi | TV series | |
| 2011 | The Wild | Kgosi Rratladi Tladi | TV series | |
| 2012 | iNkaba | Chairman | TV series | |
| 2013 | Donkerland | Bongani | TV series | |
| 2014 | Isibaya | Mbuyazi | TV series | |
| 2015 | Ya Lla | Kobo | TV series | |
| 2015 | Ke Ba Bolelletse | Mudala | TV series | |
| 2016 | Umlilo | Tshokolo Tladi | TV series | |
| 2016 | Greed & Desire | Kgosi | TV series | |
| 2017 | Broken Vows | Thabang | TV series | |
| 2018 | The Queen | Tiro | TV series | |
| 2020 | Lithapo | Alpheus | TV series | |
| 2020 | Kings of Jo'burg | Samuel Senior | TV series |
References
edit- ^ "Veteran 'Phamokate' actor Dr Sam Phillips dies, aged 72". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Mokhoali, Veronica. "Actor Sam Phillips dies". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Daughter says late multi-talented artist Sam Phillips was greatest dad in the world". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "SA legend Sam Phillips is dead". Eminetra South Africa. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d Parker, Bashiera. "Honouring SA actor Sam Phillips: 'He will take place on our mantle as one of the greatest actors'". Channel. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Veteran actor Sam Phillips has passed away". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Veteran actor, composer, Sam Phillips dies". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Tributes pour in for actor, writer, composer Sam Phillips". The Citizen. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Sam Phillips: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "The Wild - The Tladis". Channel. Retrieved 11 November 2021.