Meet the first African to walk the red carpet
SOPHIATOWN – One of South Africa’s most idiosyncratic stars shares his journey in 'Isibaya' and the TV industry.
SOPHIATOWN – Being an actor in South Africa’s leading TV series’ may be ratcheted up to dauntingly high levels.
For actor, writer, music composer, director and producer Sam Phillips this is not the case as acting is “what he was born to do”.
Phillips was the first person from the African continent to walk the red carpet of the Academy Awards as a nominee, something only known to a few in South Africa.
He was nominated for his role in Senzeni na? in 1992.
When TV 2 started in 1980, he settled in Johannesburg as a TV actor, playing the lead in several religious programmes, including the acclaimed Monna wa Cyrene and Ibali lika Yona.
Most recently, he was in DSTV’s Isibaya which has kept viewers captivated with its cultural drama.
The best thing for him was playing against Vusi Kunene an actor he has always admired.
“I was pleasantly surprised that our crews have become bigger, and more professional. It seemed as if they are not overworked, which results in people openly enjoying and loving what they do, while the end product is pleasing to see,” he says.
On his short stay in the series, Phillips was not enthralled.
“I would not have accepted the part if I knew I’m just in it to die after two calls. But maybe this was a blessing in disguise. I put up the best performance of my life, only second to what I did in Senzeni na?,” he says.
“I really thought the character would have been stretched a little bit, because there was potential in dealing with, and showing men that any abuse of power over women, especially sexual, results in bad endings,” he adds.
Phillips would love to return to the show.
“I have a line of thought that they could use for my dead character if they so wished. As a writer, I think I know what excitement and suspense they could bring with this character,” he cited his wishes.
Phillips has featured in numerous TV series such as Soul City, The Wild, Phamokate, Umzi Nento zawo, Tholwana tsa Sethepu, Backstage, Boys in New Orleans, Selaelo Maredi’s Absolom’s Song , Ace Ventura and many more.
