Sharlto Copley

Sharlto Copley is a South African actor, director and producer. He launched his acting career with his acclaimed performance as Wikus van de Merwe in 2009's Oscar Nominated "District 9;" he has subsequently starred as Howling Mad Murdoch in "The A-Team" (2010), Agent Kruger in "Elysium" (2013), King Stefan in "Maleficent" (2014), as well as the lead in "Chappie" (2015). Projects in 2015 include Ron Hollar in "The Hollars," and Vernon in "Free Fire."

Sharlto began directing and acting in his own short films at the age of 12. His love for improvisation and characterization led to him writing, directing and appearing in numerous stage plays throughout his school career in South Africa.

During this time he also studied Speech and Drama under the auspicious of Trinity College of London. Much of his early years were then spent in the business world. He co-founded his first company at the age of 19.

Over last two decades, he has been responsible for co-founding and managing several successful companies in the media industry, including a film production company, visual effects house and talent agency. In 1998, Sharlto was one of the principle founders of ETV, South Africa's first private terrestrial broadcast network. At age 24, Sharlto became the youngest executive in the history of South African television to own and control a daily 5-hour block of programming. During this time he oversaw over 1300 hours of content and worked closely with Warner Brothers International Television, a partner in the channel.

After leaving ETV, he began to work as a producer and director, working on numerous commercials, music videos and short films through his various companies. In addition, he continued to oversee the visual effects work undertaken by his VFX house. His work has won him recognition, nominations and awards in South Africa including the Avanti Awards, The Stone Awards and the Loeries.

In 2001, his short film "2001: A Space Oddity," which he co-produced and directed, became South Africa's most popular internet short ever made – it features a space shuttle crash landing in Cape Town with a hilarious local twist at the end.

His next short, "Hellweek," was a spoof of animation training in Africa that was designed to promote his visual effects company. It also features Sharlto as an American visual effects veteran/drill Sergeant, and his actual staff members at the time. Both shorts were screened at the Cannes film festival in 2005.

In 2005 he produced the short film "Alive In Jo'burg" for longtime friend, director Neill Blomkamp. Sharlto also played a small role in the film, that of a police sniper. Shortly thereafter, Sharlto won a UK Film Council script writing competition for "Judgement Day," a project he co-wrote.

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