Jonathan Pienaar
Jonathan Pienaar (1962-2025) [1]. Theatre, television and film actor.
Contents
Biography
Born 16 September 1972, and attended high school at the Marist Brothers College (now Sacred Heart College) in Observatory, Johannesburg. Pienaar took a four months drama course at Pretoria Technikon Drama in 1984 and entered the industry in 1985.
He was twice married, first to the actress Deirdre Wolhuter and later to dancer Rosanna Maya[2].
He passed away of heart failure on 10 November, 2025.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Between 1985 and 1988 he has performed in seven plays, three television productions, and six feature films. In doing so he worked for the Loft, SWAPAC, PACOFS, Ian Fraser, Douglas Bristow, Philo Pieterse, C.V.E. Films, Satellite productions and Cannon Films. These productions include Ubu for President, My Brother Parks and We All Fall Down.
Other productions include Blitzbreeker and the Chicken from Hell (Market Theatre, January 1991, Heliotrope Bouquet 1994, Paradise is Closing Down (1995), People are Living There (1995), Karnaval (1995), The Merry Wives of Windsor; The Merchant of Venice; The Two Gentlemen of Verona for CAPAB, Vettie, Vettie for BAT.
Travelling Shots, Seriously Considering Sydney, The SA UFO Crash, Thark, God's Forgotten, The Martian Chronicles, Hysteria, The Winter's Tale, Much Ado about Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Arms and the Man, The Taming of the Shrew.
Musicals included Annie.
One-man standup shows - Story of an African Chicken (written and directed by Ian Fraser, 1989); Stand-Up; Spontaneous Combustion.
He has done many TV commercials and compere work.
Film work include Video Bible; Sentinel for Brigadiers; Triptiek for Scholz Films and Kalahari Harry for C-Films.
Awards, etc
In 1996 he was nominated as best lead actor for a KZN region Vita Award for his role as Salvador Dali in Hysteria
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Pienaar
A Midsummer Night's Dream programme notes in 1995 at Maynardville.
We All Fall Down theatre pamphlet, 1988.
Kelly-Lee Ohlson. 2025. "Jonathan Pienaar: 1962-2025" Die Burger, 13 November: p.8.[3]
https://za.linkedin.com/in/rosana-maya-83086827
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities P
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
