Stelio Savante
Biography
Stelio Savante is a South African born New Yorker and actor with over three decades of versatile performances across theatrically released studio and independent films, prime-time and cable television, and New York theater. Born on April 24, 1970, in Cape Town, South Africa, his career includes small speaking roles opposite Russell Crowe in the film A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard in 2001, and as Gaetano in David Chase's television series The Sopranos. His breakthrough lead role occurred in 2005 on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, directed by Oscar winner Juan Jose Campanella, where he starred as Milan Zergin opposite Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni, and Bradley Cooper. He also secured a recurring role on the television series Ugly Betty.
Career overview
Stelio Savante is an actor born in Cape Town, South Africa on April 24, 1970. With over three decades of versatile performances, his career spans theatrically released studio and independent films, prime-time and cable television, and New York theater.
His early screen work includes small speaking roles in the feature film A Beautiful Mind in 2001, directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, and on the television series The Sopranos as Gaetano. His breakthrough lead role followed in 2005 on the television series Law and Order Special Victims Unit, directed by Juan Jose Campanella, where he starred opposite Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni, and Bradley Cooper as the fundamentalist Milan Zergin. He also secured a recurring role on the television series Ugly Betty.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- Kill Trip (2026) as Hank
- Vindication: Search and Rescue (2026) as Government Agent Stevens
- Sarah's Oil (2025) as Earl
- Stay Forte (2025)
- Hazel's Heart (2025) as William
- Between Borders (2025) as Duane
- Fresh Kills (2024) as Nello
- Saint Nick of Bethlehem (2024) as Harvey
- unDEFILED (2024) as Coach Joe Baines
- Nefarious (2023) as Detective Russo
- MobKing (2023)
- Condition of Return (2023)
- Blackwood (2022) as Henri
- What Remains (2022) as Scott
- Find Her (2022) as Felix Leonard
- Pursuit of Freedom (2022) as Bedros
- Pups Alone (2021) as Lenny
- Destination Marfa (2021) as Vincent (The Hitchhiker)
- Destination Marfa (2021) Producer
- The Penitent Thief (2021) as Tiran
- The Penitent Thief (2021) Producer
- The Message (2020) as Gerald Walker
- The Chosen (2019) as Moses
- Infidel (2019) as Pierre Barthes
- Selling Isobel (2019) as Alfonso
- FBI (2018) as Fabian Shabani
- The Cleaning Lady (2018) as Michael
- Bernie the Dolphin (2018) as Brock Winters / The Mayor
- Running for Grace (2018) as Mayor
- No Postage Necessary (2018) as Agent Ames
- Avalanche (2018) as Nate
- S.W.A.T. (2017) as Omar Morina
- Blood in the Water (2016) as Marius Roos
- Army Dog (2016) as Sheriff Bill McCallister
- Cassidy Way (2016) as Truck Driver
- Windsor (2016) as Pierre Gandy
- Togetherness (2015) as Yanni
- American Genius (2015) as David Sarnoff
- Eisenstein in Guanajuato (2015) as Hunter S. Kimbrough
- Where the Road Runs Out (2014) as Martin
- The Two Thieves (2014) as Demas
- The Secret Village (2013) as Joe
- Jimmy (2013) as Mr. Laney
- Awakened (2013) as Benny Dawson
- Safe House (2012) as Soccer Stadium Commentator (uncredited)
- Stealing Roses (2012) as Joey
- Poe (2012) as Johnathon Poe
- Person of Interest (2011) as Aris Zappo
- 3 Blind Saints (2011) as Frankie
- A Million Colours (2011) as Major Shawn Dixon
- What if... (2010) as Joel Muller
- The Suite Life on Deck (2008) as Stéphane
- Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008) as Chief Bull Brittles
- Live Fast, Die Young (2008) as Rupe
- Ugly Betty (2006) as Steve
- My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) as Leo
- The Coldest Winter (2005)
- Solidarity (2005) as Adam
- NCIS (2003) as Danny Coyle
- Arrested Development (2003) as Gator
- Without a Trace (2002) as Dimitri
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Phil Bartoli
- A Beautiful Mind (2001) as Technician
- Astoria (2000) as Nick
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Milan Zergin
- The Sopranos (1999) as Gaetano Giarizzo
- Candles
- Do Not Open
- Do Not Open Producer
- The Mob Priest as Diamond Dan
- The December Cross as Officer Ralph
- The December Cross Executive Producer
- Poachers Moon as Commanding Officer Ben Miller
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Stelio Savante best known for?
Stelio Savante is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Kill Trip (2026), Sarah's Oil (2025), Nefarious (2023), MobKing (2023).
When and where was Stelio Savante born?
Stelio Savante was born on April 24, 1970 in Cape Town, South Africa.
How many credits does Stelio Savante have?
Stelio Savante has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1999 to 2026.
What is Stelio Savante's background in cinema and television?
Stelio Savante is a South African born New Yorker and actor with over three decades of versatile performances across theatrically released studio and independent films, prime-time and cable television, and New York theater. Born on April 24, 1970, in Cape Town, South Africa, his career includes small speaking roles opp...
Stelio Savante by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Chosen (2019) as Moses — aged about 49
- The Sopranos (1999) as Gaetano Giarizzo — aged about 29
- Person of Interest (2011) as Aris Zappo — aged about 41
- S.W.A.T. (2017) as Omar Morina — aged about 47
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Milan Zergin — aged about 29
- FBI (2018) as Fabian Shabani — aged about 48
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