COPLEY AND LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD
IN THIS week’s A-typical interview we feature South African actor Sharlto Copley. He is best known for his role as Wikus van der Merwe in the Oscarnominated science fiction film District 9. What’s the weirdest thing
you’ve ever eaten?
Freeze-dried ice cream eaten by the Nasa astronauts in space.
Who do you want to have coffee with? Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. He’s serving life in prison and I just played him in Ted K.
Quentin Tarantino or Frank Darabont? I’m an actor so all directors are amazing! When did you feel most nervous?
I was walking barefoot in my garden. I had just stepped about 1cm from a rattlesnake. He began to rattle. It took me about five minutes to move my foot away in ultraslow motion.
What’s the one thing you need to have in your fridge?
Mrs Ball’s chutney. I recently read the label properly and learned you are supposed to keep it in the fridge after opening… been keeping it in the cupboard for 30 years.
What do you think is the most important life lesson to learn?
In the words of Mike Myers in The Love Guru, “Does it hurt when you do that? Then don’t do that.”
What great fan moment comes to mind? Young South Africans saying things like “You’ve helped open the way for South Africans in global entertainment.”
Would you rather never have internet access again or never be able to take an aeroplane again?
Goodbye internet. It dominates too much of my life already.
Who was your favourite cartoon character as a child?
I liked Bugs Bunny and the Smurfs, but my favourite character was actually Liewe Heksie on SABC.