Jana Cilliers

Johanna Wilhelmina Cilliers (born 1950), known professionally as Jana Cilliers, is a South African bilingual actress. She is the recipient of a number of accolades, including two South African Film and Television Awards and a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award.

Early life and education

A native of Pretoria, Cilliers was the daughter of the abstract painter Bettie Cilliers-Barnard and Carel Hancke Cilliers. She attended Hoërskool Menlopark. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pretoria before going on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, completing her acting diploma in 1973.

Personal life

Cilliers was married to film director and scriptwriter Regardt van den Bergh in the 1980s, with whom she had two daughters: Lika Berning and Leán. After Cilliers' and van den Bergh's divorce, Cilliers married Bill Flynn, who died in 2007.

Filmography

Filmmaking credits

Bettie (2015) – documentary

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1969 Die Vervlakste Tweeling Lennie 1975 Eendag op 'n Reëndag Bankies Roussouw 1979 'n Plekkie in die son Karen Viljoen 1979 A Game for Vultures Ruth Swansey 1981 Blink Stefaans Linda Rossouw 1984 Boetie Gaan Border Toe Lecturer 1984 Joanna Collins 1988 Quest for Love Alexandra 1992 A Pot Full of Winter Die Vrou 1992 The Good Fascist Suzannah Leal 2018 Die Leeftyd van 'n Orgidee Short film 2018 Nobody Dies Janette Niemand 2020 Mr Johnson Helena Wilton

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1976 La Musica Lover Television film 1976 Dokter, Dokter Dr. Kobie Hamman 1977 Duet Bridget Murray Play recording 1978 Sebastiaan Senior 1979 Salomé Salomé Television film 1979 Phoenix & Kie Dirkie Jacobs 1981 Oh George! Rina 1984 Die Dood Van Elmien Adler 10 episodes 1989 Screen Two Stella Joubert Episode: "A Private Life" 1992–1993 Arende Cornelia Viljee Seasons 2–3 1994 MMG Engineers Milly 2000 Egoli: Place of Gold Elizabeth Edwards Season 9 2008 Feast of the Uninvited Magrieta van Wyk Episode: "A Map Reddens" 2010–2011 Binnelanders Joeke Rossouw Season 6 2016–2021 Die Boekklub Anna Uys Main role

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref 1996 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best Actress Master Class 2002 Best Actress The American Popess Vita Awards Best Actress in Musical Theatre 2008 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best Supporting Actress Die Storm 2016 Best Supporting Actress macbeth.slapeloos 2017 South African Film and Television Awards Best Supporting Actress – TV Drama Die Boekklub 2018