Langley Kirkwood “ Actor & Athlete Langley Kirkwood was born in England, on 14 April 1973, and has become a multi-award winning actor of both stage and screen. His family relocated to South Africa when he was young and during his schooling he fell in love with the art of acting, which he studied at school and then at the prestigious University of the Witwatersrand. His breakthrough performance was as Billy the Kid in Shooting Billy the Kid at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre, for which he won an FNB Vita Award.
Since then he has appeared in countless award-winning television shows, theatre productions and films, both locally in South Africa, and internationally, as well as being a busy voice-over artist. His career credits are extensive and he has appeared in major productions such as the multi-Emmy award winning Generation Kill for HBO, Clint Eastwoods Invictus, Dredd and more recently, Black Sails for Starz, Dominion for Sci-Fy and the Emmy-award winning Banshee for HBO/Cinemax, playing Colonel Douglas Stowe. He is still passionate about the stage, and likes to return to theatre when time allows.
He was a member of The Mechanicals Theatre Company in Cape Town, and his stand-out role on Cape Town stages was that of Biff Loman opposite Bill Flynn In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, which earned them both Fleur Du Cap awards. He is the proud father of two children and lives between Cape Town and Los Angeles. He is passionate about helping to preserve our planet and its natural resources as well as health and fitness, and he spends much of his free time trail running, cycling and competing in ultra-distance triathlons such as the Ironman.
- What do you consider to be your first big professional break locally and internationally?
It’s strange, but the breaks all seem to have been a series of baby steps rather than one ‘big break’. There seems to have been a progression of good jobs leading to others, but I suppose playing David in The Bible was big in the sense that it gave me quite a lot of exposure in the US, and it was in fact that role that Greg Yaitanes (showrunner of Banshee) saw me in, which led to him offering me the part of Colonel Stowe on Banshee.
- How do you see the future of the South African film and television industry?
There is a huge potential. We have highly skilled film crews, and a pool of talented actors, especially if you throw our favourable exchange rate and incredible locations into the mix.
- Do you like playing the villain or the hero?
I honestly don’t have a preference, as long as the character has an interesting emotional journey. Very often early on in my career I had to play a lot of ‘bad guys’ or ‘cannon fodder’ who were written very two dimensionally. The challenge was to make those characters have some kind of inner life. I’m pickier now than I was about which roles I play.
- What was the most challenging obstacle you have had to overcome personally and professionally?
Divorce was the most difficult, painful experience I’ve ever gone through, one which I’d not wish on my worst enemy, especially when children are involved. My biggest challenge as an actor was learning to stand my ground when people have tried to take advantage of me. Performing artists make easy victims, because we generally want to please everyone.
- Who would you most like to work with in a film or play?
Since I was a 6 year old, I’ve wanted to work with Clint Eastwood. That dream was realised a few years ago, but I’d love to be on stage or on set with Al Pacino, Meryl Streep or Robert de Niro. And as weird as Woody Allen is, I’m crazy about his work.
- What was the funniest thing that happened to you on stage or whilst filming?
A co-star fell asleep on his feet while he and I were waiting in the wings to make our entrance once, which was pretty hilarious. I had to poke him in the ribs and he walked on stage not remembering his name, never mind the scene or the play.
- How do you relax?
Swimming in the ocean and running on the trails of Table Mountain.
- How many times a week do you work out?
Usually 6 days a week. Twice a day if I’m training for a race and if work allows.
- How do you cope with jetlag?
I exercise
