Ashley Callie

Infobox actor
name = Ashley Callie


imagesize = 129x194
caption = Ashley Callie on the set of "Isidingo"
birthname = Ashley Callie
birthdate = 1976-12-30cite web|url=http://www.respectance.com/AshleyCallie/|title=Ashley Callie Tribute|publisher=Respectance|accessdate=2008-02-22]
birthplace = Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africacite web|url=http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=707399|title="Isidingo" star Ashley Callie dies|publisher=Sapa|date=2008-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-18]
deathdate = dda|2008|02|15|1976|12|30
deathplace = Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa)cite web|url=http://www.tvsa.co.za/actorprofile.asp?actorID=2746|title=Ashley Callie, TVSA profile|accessdate=2008-02-18]
restingplace = Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africacite web|url=http://www.24.com/news/?p=enta&i=842475|title=Ashley: Tributes pouring in|publisher=Beeld|date=2008-02-17|accessdate=2008-02-18]
restingplacecoordinates =
othername =
occupation = Actress
yearsactive = 1998–2008
spouse =
domesticpartner =
children =
parents =
website =
academyawards =
afiawards =
arielaward =
baftaawards =
cesarawards =
emmyawards =
filmfareawards =
geminiawards =
goldenglobeawards =
goldenraspberryawards =
goyaawards =
grammyawards =
iftaawards =
laurenceolivierawards =
naacpimageawards =
nationalfilmawards =
sagawards =
tonyawards =
awards = SAFTA award for best actress, "Isidingo", 2006 Stars of Mzanzi award for best actress, "Isidingo", 2008 (Posthumous) Ashley Callie (1976 – 2008) was a South African actress best known for her role as Leone Haines in "Isidingo" (from 2000 to 2008). Callie died on 15 February2008 as a result of head injuries from a head-on car accident in Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 February2008.

Biography

Ashley Callie was born in Johannesburg, and received a BA Honours degree in dramatic arts, from the University of the Witwatersrand.cite web|url=http://www.women24.com/Women24/TVGossip/Soapbox/Article/0,,1-6-157_17813,00.html|title=Hamba Kahle Ashley|publisher=Women24|accessdate=2008-02-21] Callie began her career with a role in the SABC TV production, "Homeland", directed by Neil Sundstrom. Thereafter, she starred in a number of series, including "Natural Rhythm". She also spent some time in Cape Town, South Africa, where she starred in a number of commercials for the local South African market, as well as for overseas markets.

On 2007-03-15, Callie told Lynne Gidis of "Top Billing" magazine that playing the role of Lee Haines on "Isidingo" had been a life long ambition of hers. She had been a fan of the show ever since it first aired in 1998. In this interview, she explains how she does not enjoy the fame that comes with her celebrity status, and that her family is an extremely important part of her life. She also goes on to explain why her character, Lee Haines, is not at all like her.cite web|url=http://www.iafrica.com/pls/cms/iac.page?p_t1=98&p_t2=770&p_t3=3756&p_t4=0&p_dynamic=YP&p_content_id=691327&p_site_id=2|title=Meet the girl behind Isidingo's Lee|author=Lynne Gidis|publisher=Top Billing magazine|date=2007-03-15|accessdate=2008-02-18] During that year (2007), she appeared on the cover of the magazine.

Also in 2007, she played a role in a movie in Holland, which was originally to be called "Surprise". However, that title has now changed to "Mafrika",imdb title|1101045|Mafrika (2008)] and the producers have promised to dedicate the film to Callie's memory.cite episode|title=A Tribute to Ashley Callie|series=3 Talk with Nolene|credits=Nolene Mahalwana Sanqu (Presenter)|network=SABC|station=SABC 3|airdate=2008-02-21] In addition to her role in "Isidingo" (Which she held from 2000, up until her death in 2008), Callie was co-owner of La Vista social club, in Melville, Johannesburg, but she sold her shares in 2007.cite episode|title=Top Billing Tribute to Ashley Callie|series= [http://www.topbilling.co.za Top Billing] |network=SABC|station=SABC 3|airdate=2008-02-21]

In 2006, she won the SAFTA (South African Film and Television Awards) award for best actress, for her role in "Isidingo". The awards took place at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 2006-10-28.cite web|url=http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=6899|title=Ms Ashley CALLIE, Who's Who profile|publisher=24.com|accessdate=2008-02-18] On 2008-02-29, Callie won the Mzansi Star Actress award at the inaugural Stars of Mzansi awards ceremony, held at the South African State Theatre in Johannesburg. The award was accepted on her behalf by Robert Whitehead (Who plays Barker Haines in "Isidino"), and Steven Miyambo (Who plays Orlando).cite web|title=Ordinary guy Menzi steals the show|url=http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=717973|publisher=The Times|date=2008-03-01|accessdate=2008-03-02] cite web|title=Ashley wins Star Actress award|url=http://www.ashleycallie.co.za/?p=32|publisher=AshleyCallie.co.za|date=2008-02-29|accessdate=2008-03-02]

After her death, South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Zweledinga Pallo Jordan has called Callie the image of the new South Africa:cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2271930,00.html|title=Callie projected image of new SA|publisher=News24|date=2008-02-16|accessdate=2008-02-21]

Death

On 2008-02-08, Callie was on her way home from the Pirelli Calendar launch in Hyde Park, when her Smart Car collided with a red Renault on the corner of 4th Avenue and Tana road (in Linden), at around 22:30 SAST.cite web|url=http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,163894,00.html|title="Isidingo" star out of surgery|publisher=SABCNews.com|date=2008-02-09|accessdate=2008-02-18]

She was immediately rushed to the Johannesburg General Hospital, where she underwent surgery to alleviate pressure on her brain. Four days later, her sister (Lauren Callie) told the media that she was said to be in a stable condition in hospital.cite web|url=http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,164065,00.html|title="Isidingo" star Ashley Callie stabilised|publisher=SABCNews.com|date=2008-02-12|accessdate=2008-02-18] cite web|url=http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=58101,1,22|title=‘'Isidingo’' star will live|publisher=Sapa|date=2008-02-11|accessdate=2008-02-18] Shortly after, however, due to complications from her injuries, Callie died in hospital.

Memorial service

A memorial service for Callie was held on 2008-02-21, at the Johannesburg Country Club.cite web|url=http://iafrica.com/news/sa/924070.htm|title=Isidingo star's memorial this week|publisher=Sapa|date=2008-02-18|accessdate=2008-02-18] cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Gallery/Home/0,,galleries-1-5695,00.html|title=Ashley Callie memorial|publisher=News24|accessdate=2008-02-21] At the service, Callie was described as both radiant and charming, and the ceremony itself was described as a celebration of Callie's life:cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,,2-1225-1242_2275012,00.html|title='Callie was radiant, charming'|publisher=News24|date=2008-02-21|accessdate=2008-02-21] cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,,2-1225-1242_2274882,00.html|title=Ashley fans to pay last respects|publisher=News24|date=2008-02-21|accessdate=2008-02-21]

"Isidingo" footage

Callie's character, Lee Haines, continued to be portrayed on screen all the way through February and March 2008, due to the fact that Endemol, the production company behind the soapie, still had footage of the actress. However, the character was written out of the show at the end of March 2008, following a statement released by the company. Haines disappeared from the show after learning of her mother's death. She then mysteriously died while away, although it was not revealed how.cite web|url=http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=725011|title="Isidingo"’s Lee takes her final bow|publisher=The Times|date=2008-03-12|author=Itumeleng Motuba|accessdate=2008-03-13]

Investigations and allegations

Shortly after her death, Johannesburg Metro Police released a statement, speculating that Callie might have been to blame for the accident. According to the statement, Callie was driving on the wrong side of the road when the accident occurred. It was further speculated that she had been drinking prior to the accident.fact|date=September 2008 However, according to Johannesburg metro spokesperson Edna Mamonya, neither driver's blood was tested for alcohol at the time of the incident.cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,,2-1225-1242_2274577,00.html|title=Ashley to blame - metro cops|publisher=News24|author=Annelene Moses, Beeld|date=2008-02-20|accessdate=2008-02-21]

In support of the allegations that Callie may have been under the influence of alcohol, one of the victims of the accident in which Callie died posted a message on her memorial site: [cite web|url=http://hottestgossip.co.za/?p=1707|title=Accident victim leaves a shocking message on Ashlee Callie Tribute Website!!!!|publisher=Hottestgossip.co.za|date=2008-03-05|accessdate=2008-08-28]

On 2008-08-28, Nico Pretorius (21), the driver of the other car involved in the accident, appeared in the Randburg magistrate's court. He was charged with culpable homicide, and reckless and negligent driving. [cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20080828184642465C883162|title=Callie crash driver appears in court|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-29|publisher=Independent Online] Pretorius was driving the Renault that collided with Callie's car, causing her death. Sources describe the charge as a "triple-whammy" for Nico and his family; his father committed suicide a month after the accident, and his mother had an accident of her own in April 2008. The charges came as a shock for the Pretorius family, who were expecting "just a hearing". [cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20080830093417280C328842|title=Triple whammy for Ashley Callie crash driver|author=Ajam, Kashiefa|publisher=The Star|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-09-03]

Pretorius had 5 friends with him in the car at the time of the accident. Ms Arnel du preez, senior state prosecutor, said that the state had an eye-witness, who said that they had seen the events that had transpired on the day of the accident. The case was postponed to 2008-10-03, in order to give Pretorius time to obtain legal representation. [cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2384510,00.html|title=Ashley Callie-ongeluk: Bestuurder in hof|language=Afrikaans|author=Tongha, Amanda|publisher=Beeld|Date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-09-03]

On 2008-10-03, Pretorius appeared in court with his attorney, Ronald Lotz. The case was postponed again, this time to 2008-11-20. Lotz requested time to appoint an expert to review the docket. [cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=nw20081003105927461C772699|title=Ashley Callie's case postponed|publisher=Independent Online|author=Sapa|date=2008-10-03|accessdate=2008-10-03]

References

External links

*

Persondata
NAME = Callie, Ashley
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Actress, best known for role of Leone Haines in "Isidingo"
DATE OF BIRTH = 1976-12-30
PLACE OF BIRTH = Johannesburg, Gauteng, RSA
DATE OF DEATH = 2008-02-15
PLACE OF DEATH = Johannesburg, Gauteng, RSA