Zane Meas (born 15 September 1965) is a South African actor, writer, producer and director. He is known for his roles in the television soap operas 7de Laan and Isidingo and for his appearances in films including Ludik, Kite, Forgiveness and Tarzan and the Lost City.
Personal life Zane Meas was born in Riverlea, Johannesburg, South Africa on 15 September 1965. He began acting in his final year of high school (Matric), appearing in a production of Flats. He later studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, graduating in 1989. His first professional acting role came during his third year of study.
Meas is married to Megan Meas, and the couple have five children, including son Connor and daughter Campbell Meas, who is also a Wits alumni, an actress, writer, director, playwright and acting teacher.
Career
As an actor Meas began his acting career while still in high school theatre, later performing in several stage productions and collaborating with playwrights including Charles Fourie and Neil McCarthy. His first Afrikaans-language play was Big Boys.
He made his film debut in 1989 in the action film Mutator, portraying a police officer. In 1990 he was cast as "Mackey Stuurman" in the television series The Game. He later appeared in the American TV series Tropical Heat (1993) and other South African productions such as The Line (1994), Waati (1995) and Orion's key (1996).
Between 1996 and 2000, Meas appeared in two episodes of: Tarzan: The Epic Adventurers, filmed in South Africa, and in Tarzan and the Lost City (1998).
He is also known for his recurring television roles in 7de Laan; (as Neville Meintjies), Isidingo (as Jack van Onselen), and Scandal! (as Wesley Thompson).
As a producer Meas co-produced a corporate video for the GEMPEX Corporation entitled "Let There Be Light" in 1997, through his production company African Gateways Communications. He also produced several corporate theatre and video production for the Gauteng Department of Housing and for Standard Bank.
He also co-produced a documentary for University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1996.
In 2008, he co-produced a television drama special with Danie Odendaal Productions titled "Christmas Star" for SABC 2.
In 2012, Meas through his foundation, The Fatherhood Foundation, produced a film on fatherhood, forgiveness, loss and reconciliation titled "Father". The film premiered in 2013.
As a director Meas directed an Afrikaans translation of Athol Fugard's play The Blood Knot in 2022, Master Harold en die Boys in 2013, a 2023 South African movie, Klip Anker Baai, in which he was also an actor and a writer. He also directed a number of episodes on the TV Show "On the Couch" in 2008 - 2009.
As an author and TV writer In May 2010, Zane Meas wrote a book titled "Daddy, Come Home", which is based on his experiences, counselling sessions, and research on fatherhood in South Africa, published by Struik Christian Media. He has also been featured as a writer for 'Lig' Magazine for four years, where he penned over fifty articles on Fatherhood and family matters.
Meas has also written a tribute one man theatre play for the late South African author Chris van Wyk, who died in 2014 after battling cancer. Meas also performs in this tribute.
Filmography +YearTitleRoleGenre1989MutatorCop TwoFilm1990The GameMackey StuurmanTV Series1993Tropical HeatGlen MattoxTV Series1994Meutre avec pré'méditationSous-Officer MathebeTV Series1994The Line GeorgeFilm1995WaatiFilm1995Hearts & MindsANC Official 1Film1996JackpotDeanFilm1996Danger Zone Indian SergeantFilm1996Homeland RecruiterTV Series1996Orion's KeyOperative #6Film1997Ekhaya: A family ChronicleMr. BothaTV Mini Series1996 - 1997Tarzan:The Epic AdventuresCol. MaansTV Series1997Dark Desires:Crime of Love Lt. SmithFilm1997Dark Desires: The Other Side of the MirrorThe IndianFilm1997Ernest Goes to AfricaJameenFilm1997Joburg BluesOzzie AdamsFilm1998Tarzan and the Lost City KnowlesFilm1998-2000IsidingoJack van OnselenTV Series1999The All New Adventures of Laurel & Hardy in 'For Love or Mummy''']] |High Priest |Film |- |1999 |Heel Against the Head|All Black Fan |Film |- |1999 |Africa |Petrol Attendant |Film |- |2004 |Forgiveness |Hendrik Grootboom |Film |- |2004 |A Case of Murder |Superintendent Sibeko |Film |- |2004 |The Eastern Bride|Chief Policeman |Film |- |2005 |Oepse Daisy!|Reggie |TV Series |- |2005 |Scandal!|Wesley |TV Series |- |2005 |Binnelanders|Brandon |TV Series |- |2008 |On the Couch |Toks |TV Series |- |2014 |Kite|The Emir |Film |- |2016 |Sober Companion |John |TV Series |- |2018 - 2025 |Spoorloos |Adam Arendse |TV Series |- |2019 |Liewe Lisa|Tom Jooste |Drama Film |- |2019-2020 |Tydelik Terminaal|Prof Pietersen |TV Mini Series |- |2020 |7de Laan|Neville Meintjies |TV Series |- |2020 |Fynskrif (Fine Print)|Clyde |TV Series |- |2021 |Krismasboks|Henry |Film |- |2021 |Reyka |Francke |TV Series |- |2021-2022 |Die Byl|General Philander |TV Series |- |2022 |Ludik|Brigadier Davies |TV Series |- |2022 |The Domestic| |Horror Film |- |2023 |Skaapboer|Oupa |Film |- |2023 |Klip Anker Baai|Alec Donnay |Film |- |2024 |Frankie & Felipé| |Comedy Film |- |2025 |Reenboogrant''Meneer VenterTV Series
Awards and nominations
South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) 2023, nominated - Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama SAFTA 2009 - nominated, Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap SAFTA 2006 - nominated, Best Supporting Actor in a TV Soap
References
External links