Clint Brink
What’s going on in your favourite actress’s head?
Since 2015, Clint Brink has played surgeon Steve Abrahams on Afrikaans medical soap Binnelanders (2005- current, see more on p29) and it’s yet another of his diverse characters. The 38-year- old started off as dance-performer Shawn Jacobs on Backstage (2000-2007), followed by gangster Bradley Paulse on Generations (1994-2014) in 2003 and businessman Tino on Scandal! (2005- current). “It’s crazy,” says Clint of his success, adding that he always wanted to be a stage performer but didn’t expect a TV career that would make him one of SA’s best-known faces. But acting isn’t his only talent: Clint is a gym fanatic, songwriter and prolific musician – when he’s not in front of the camera or watching TV, he’s playing guitar, piano and bass guitar.
What was the first TV show that you
and friends acted out? We didn’t have time to play-act shows and at that age, I was already in love with stage plays. From six, I was taking part in eisteddfods and Christmas productions. What did you do when an adult scene came on TV while you were watching with your parents? I always wished that the TV would blow up or the Earth would swallow me. More often than not, I’d quietly leave the room. What product have you always wanted
after seeing it on TV? Those slimming ab belts. I actually bought myself one but it didn’t work at all. I ended up doing it the conventional way – in the gym.
Whose TV wardrobe do you want? The guys from legal drama Suits (2011- current) – they look natural but amazing in their suits. They don’t look like mannequins in store windows: they’re flawless.
And if you could live in any TV house? Definitely any of the homes shown in lifestyle series Top Billing (1996- current). What shows are your fanatical about at the moment? Like almost everyone, epic fantasy series Game Of Thrones (2011- current) as well as financial-legal drama show Billions (2016- current) with Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti. If you worked behind the scenes, what job would you
want? Producing – and it’s something I’m busy with at the moment. I’m producing my first movie but I can’t tell you the title and release date just yet. What plot twist has been your favourite in a show? Game Of Thrones – because you never know what’s going to happen. Like in season 1 (2011), they just killed the main guy Ned Stark (Sean Bean). I never saw that coming. Which character is your hero? The guy I’m playing right now – Dr Steve. It doesn’t matter what happens or what situation he finds himself in, our audience – and his co-workers – love him. He’s just a nice guy who helps people. What is your nightmare scenario
during filming? That I will have an upset stomach or other ailment that will be etched clearly on my face and not match the scene. With all the reboots taking place, what show would you remake and be part of? Action series The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-1978). It was dubbed over into Afrikaans as Steve Austin – Die Man Van Staal. If you could play any character in any show, who would it be? Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc’s character in comedy series Friends (1994-2004). I’d like to know what it feels like to be paid $1 million (R14 million) per episode. What TV programmes inspired you to be an actor? As a child, I was absorbed by action shows like Magnum PI (1980-1988), Knight Rider (1982-1986) and The A-Team (1983-1987, see more on p65) and thought it would be fun to be one of those brave heroes in an action series. Who is your acting icon? There are a few that I look up to, but if I’m singling one out, it’s movie star Denzel Washington (Robert McCall in action film The Equalizer, 2014). he’s a phenomenal actor. If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be? That he didn’t always wear such tight pants. No, really! Sometimes I struggle to get into them. Personality-wise, I wouldn’t change a thing about Dr Steve. I admire his positive aspects and they balance perfectly with all of his negative personality traits.