Sharlto Copley Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies, Career

Sharlto Copley is a South African actor, producer, and director renowned for his breakout role as Wikus van der Merwe in the Academy Award-nominated science fiction film District 9 (2009). He gained international acclaim for his improvised performance in the film, which marked his acting debut.

Copley’s versatile career spans roles in major films like The A-Team (2010), Elysium (2013), and Maleficent (2014), showcasing his ability to portray diverse characters, from quirky heroes to intense villains. Known for his collaborations with director Neill Blomkamp, he has also starred in Chappie (2015) and played supporting roles in films like Monkey Man (2024).

Profile

• Full Name: Sharlto Copley
• Stage Name: Sharlto Copley
• Born: 27 November, 1973
• Age: 51 years old
• Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Director
• Height: 1.83 m
• Parents: Linda Stocks, Dr. Bruce Copley
• Siblings: Donovan Copley
• Spouse: Tanit Phoenix (m. 2016)
• Children: Sielle Phoenix-Copley
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $15 million

Early Life and Education

Sharlto Copley was born on November 27, 1973, in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Linda Stocks, a Christian Science healer, and Dr. Bruce Copley, a former university professor and holistic educator. He grew up in Sandton with his younger brother, Donovan Copley, the lead singer of the Cape Town band Hot Water.

Copley attended St. Andrew’s Preparatory School in Grahamstown and Redhill School in Morningside, Johannesburg, where he developed an interest in filmmaking and theater. Details about his higher education are not publicly available, as he pursued a career in media production early on.

His ethnicity is Caucasian (of Irish descent), and his religion is Christian.

Career

Sharlto Copley began his career in media production, co-founding a production company in South Africa and becoming the country’s youngest television producer at age 25. Initially focused on behind-the-scenes work, he produced commercials, music videos, and short films, some of which appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.

During this time, he met a teenage Neill Blomkamp, whom he employed for computer graphics design, forging a partnership that led to Copley’s acting debut in Blomkamp’s Alive in Joburg (2005), a short film that inspired District 9. His improvised role as Wikus van der Merwe in District 9 (2009) earned critical acclaim, launching him into international stardom.

Following District 9, Copley landed the role of H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock in The A-Team (2010), starring alongside Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper. His portrayal, using a Southern American dialect and other accents, was praised by original series actor Dwight Schultz.

Copley reunited with Blomkamp for Elysium (2013), playing the villainous Kruger, and Chappie (2015), where he provided the voice and motion capture for the titular robot. He also starred as King Stefan in Maleficent (2014), Adrian Pryce in Spike Lee’s Oldboy (2013), and Christian Walker in the TV series Powers (2015–2016).

His diverse roles in films like Hardcore Henry (2015) and Gringo (2018) showcased his range across genres.

As of 2025, Sharlto Copley remains active in Hollywood, with recent roles in Monkey Man (2024) as Tiger, directed by Dev Patel, and Boy Kills World (2024) as Glen van der Koy, a villainous role in a South African-funded action-comedy.

His portrayal of Ted Kaczynski in Ted K (2021), which he also produced, earned praise for its intensity. Copley continues to split his time between Cape Town and Los Angeles, pursuing acting, producing, and directing projects.

His work in Desert Warrior (2024) and ongoing collaborations with global filmmakers highlight his versatility. Posts on X reflect strong fan appreciation for his performances, cementing his status as a cult favorite.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @sharltocopleyofficial
• Facebook Handle: Sharlto Copley
• Twitter Handle: @sharltocopley

Personal Life

Sharlto Copley married South African actress and supermodel Tanit Phoenix on February 15, 2016, in Cape Town, South Africa, after beginning their relationship in January 2012. They welcomed their daughter, Sielle Phoenix-Copley, on January 1, 2017.

The couple resides between Cape Town and Los Angeles, with Copley owning properties in Los Angeles (purchased for $860,000 in 2013) and Lake Sherwood ($4.4 million in 2024).

Filmography

• Alive in Joburg (2005) – Sniper
• District 9 (2009) – Wikus van der Merwe
• The A-Team (2010) – H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock
• Europa Report (2013) – James Corrigan
• Elysium (2013) – Kruger
• Oldboy (2013) – Adrian Pryce
• Maleficent (2014) – King Stefan
• The Snow Queen 2: The Snow King (2014) – Orm, Snow King (voice)
• Chappie (2015) – Chappie (voice and motion capture)
• Hardcore Henry (2015) – Jimmy
• Gringo (2018) – Mitch Rusk
• Ted K (2021) – Ted Kaczynski
• Beast (2022) – Martin
• Boy Kills World (2024) – Glen van der Koy
• Monkey Man (2024) – Tiger
• Desert Warrior (2024) – Supporting Role

Net Worth

Sharlto Copley has an estimated net worth of around $15 million. His wealth is derived from his acting roles in major films like District 9, The A-Team, and Maleficent, as well as his work as a producer and director on projects such as Ted K. Additional income comes from real estate investments, including properties in Los Angeles and Lake Sherwood, and endorsements like his voiceover for Audi’s e-tron GT promotional video.