Edwin Gagiano

Edwin Gagiano is an actor, known for Chappie (2015), Seun: 81457397BG (2014), Broken Darkness (2017) and the lead in the critically successful SABC network TV series, Snake Park (2014), as Zak Verwey. Edwin grew up in a small town in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, called Kimberley. He started acting at a young age and landed his first role as Alf Bueller in the Northern Cape Theatre production, 'Back to the 80's' in 2007, after his drama teacher recommended him to audition for the casting director. He got the supporting lead and was awarded with Full Academic Colors for Arts and Drama after the production concluded as well as, the Best Actor Award in 2007 when he graduated from the Technical High School, Kimberley.He was born Edwin Gagiano on 1 June 1989 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa to Maryna Elizabeth Gagiano (Williams), a banker and interior designer, and Albertus Johannes Gagiano, a Math and Science lecturer and ex-veteran serving in the South African Border War in the 1980s. His father has Italian ancestry, while his mother's side if his family, originally "Williams", was of Welsh and British descent.In 2015 Gagiano relocated to Los Angeles, California after he landed the American role as Fowler in the post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi, Last Broken Darkness, written, produced and directed by Christopher-Lee dos Santos, where Gagiano acted alongside Sean Cameron Michael (24 (2001), Invictus (2009), The Salvation (2014) and Black Sails (2014)), Brandon Auret (District 9 (2009), Elysium (2013) and Chappie), Jonathan Pienaar (Blood Diamond (2006), Lord Jones Is Dead (2016), Task Force (2014) and Assignment (2015)), Brendan Murray (Black Sails and Strike Back (2010)) and Ryan Kruger (South African Music Awards winner for the Prime Circle music video, titled Prime Circle: Doors (2014)). Soon after, Gagiano booked another American role as Ryan Temple in the war epic, Thirst.Edwin moved to the United States of America in 2008, where he worked for a traveling amusement park to save enough money, to pay his way through college, and entered the entertainment industry. He attended acting workshops in Orlando, Florida and New York City, where after, he studied Method Acting at Indigo View. He also went on to study Music at the University of North West.When Gagiano located to Johannesburg in 2012, he met his friend and mentor, Jonathan Pienaar, before he traveled to the United States again in 2013, receiving over eleven call backs, including Paul Weber (MGM Weber Casting), Walt Disney Entertainment, Sony (Epic) Records, Capitol Records and made a transition to Hollywood in 2014.Edwin enjoys the versatility of speaking American, standard British and South African English as well as, being a first language Afrikaans speaking actor. In 2013, his everlasting persistence landed him the lead role in Oscar nominated Director Darrell Roodt's Network TV Series, Snake Park, as Zak Verwey.Edwin's portrayal as Marius in Seun(Son) (2014), was received as a multi layered performance, where he went through physical transformation as he played an eighteen year old soldier who fought in the Angola War in 1982, to return as a survivor, also directed by Darrell Roodt. He also portrayed the role as the American deputy, John Jr, in Run or Die (2014), directed by Eugene Koekemoer. His performance in Run or Die secured him the lead role in Koekemoer's next film, The Brutes (2016) as well as, contracts in back-end participation, as the voice coach and assistance director of post-sound and editing on Run or Die.With many film offers, Gagiano also enjoys the studio environment as a voice artist, having worked for national companies, as the voice of Vodacom and Nissan and writes and produces his own films.Edwin's life is about the people in it, and giving back to society through taking on challenging roles that inspires and extends his services beyond his physical ability. Edwin is also involved in humanitarian work in Mozambique and is regarded as a well rounded actor and filmmaker, extending well beyond his entertainment career. On a personal capacity, Gagiano spends his off-time traveling and enjoying an outdoors life with family and loved ones.His influences are Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Spacey, Al Pacino and Matt Damon. His favorite director is Steven Spielberg. Show less «