Jill Levenberg

Jill Levenberg (born 20 September 1977) is a South African actress. In 2018, she starred in Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story as the title character, a role that earned her a nomination and two awards including a South African Film and Television Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film. At the age of six, Levenberg made her debut on stage, singing at the Kensington Civic Center. She performed in plays and sang in the choir throughout primary school. Levenberg attended the University of Cape Town. Despite considering quitting during her second year, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance and English Literature. Levenberg performed in several plays in her early career, including Medea, Blood Brothers and Orpheus in Africa, receiving a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for the last role.

Levenberg played Beulah in the 2015 film Abraham. Beginning in 2015, she has portrayed Mymoena Samsodien in the long-running TV series Suidooster.

In 2018, Levenberg landed the role of Ellen Pakkies in Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story, her first starring role in a film. The story deals with Ellen's struggles with her drug-addicted son, and is based on a true story. Levenberg first began following the story in 2007, and rather than judging her, understood where she was coming from due to the drug problem in Cape Town. In order to prepare for the role, she moved into a small place near the sea and did a lot of research on dissociation and places in Cape Town. Levenberg also befriended Pakkies, who told her she was a quiet person throughout her life, forcing Levenberg to change her performance.

Levenberg is vocal in her opposition to film piracy. She supported the Performer’s Protection Act. She speaks English, Afrikaans, and German fluently.

Partial filmography 2015: A Whistle Blows/Fluit-Fluit (as Gwen Isaacs) 2015: While You Weren't Looking (as Yasmin) 2015: Uitvlucht (as San) 2015: Abraham (as Beulah) 2015–present: Suidooster (TV series, as Mymoena Samsodien) 2018: Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story (as Ellen)

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Work Result Ref ? Fleur du Cap Theatre Award Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Orpheus in Africa Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role