Tiaan returns tamer
Tiaan is back with wise words for a few Hillsiders.
After almost 17 years away from the soapie set, Frank Rautenbach is back as Tiaan Terreblanche on 7de Laan full time, and it seems that he’s grown from being the flirtatious bachelor and troublemaker into a wise man who many seem to turn to for advice.
“Being back feels so different, because I was there when the show started in 2000, then left for the United States in 2005. Back then, 7de Laan wasn’t as big as it is now. Then Tiaan had his own little family and we were just a small team. But now it’s completely different, but also exciting for me to experience all these incredible new actors and the team. It’s amazing,” says Frank.
“Tiaan was one of the first characters I brought to life and he has always been such a fun character to play. So now that he’s back, older and wiser and a bit greyer, you can only imagine how much more exciting he is for me. Especially after all the experiences I went through.”
LIFE IN LA
While in the States (and sometimes working here in SA), Frank starred in films like Faith Like Potatoes (2006), The Bang Bang Club (2010), The Film-Maker’s Son (2013) and the biographical film Hansie: A True Story (2008). But because life has its ups and downs, Frank also worked as a cab driver for three years, and then as a janitor for his local Los Angeles church for two years.
“I got signed with a big Hollywood agency and auditioned for all the big roles. I just didn’t land anything. At some point I almost gave up on acting. As a creative, that was one of my lowest points, but also the best thing that happened to me because it gave me perspective and just room to throw caution to the wind,” Frank admits.
He went to a good acting school in LA and didn’t tell anyone that he’s an actor. “I thought if I stand out, then I’ll know this is really for me. And I did,” he chuckles. “They invited me back to the school, and it’s actually funny – they said I could really have a career in this and ‘why don’t you pursue it, does your wife (Leigh Rautenbach) not think you could make this a career?’, which I found funny. That to me was a clear sign. I even wrote a book about my time there. That’s where I found my voice. In acting, you’ve got to have a memorable look and talent, but beyond that, having a voice is what will always set you apart, and that comes through hardship, failure and just struggle,” says Frank before rushing back to set for more fun and Hillside adventures as Tiaan.
THE CHARMING, WISE TIAAN
When Tiaan met up with Vanessa (Ingrid Paulus) recently to catch up, he reassured her that he’s not back to his old ways. “Vanessa and Tiaan are good friends, they remember each other from years ago when they were both just out of their teens. Vanessa is just concerned about if he’s fine, because she’s an empath. So they chatted about that and he basically told her he’s a changed man, older and wiser,” Frank shares.
Speaking of his old tricks, Tiaan also has a chat with Fikani (Nicholas Nkuna) about Fikani’s wife Alexa (Carina Nel). “Tiaan quickly picks up that Fikani is neglecting his wife and he (Tiaan) really admires Alexa, he thinks that she’s a really amazing woman, she’s beautiful, and Fikani is totally blind to how he’s treating this jewel he has. Alexa finds Tiaan as a shoulder to cry on, and he really enjoys being there for her, supporting Alexa emotionally,” Frank says.
“Personally I think that Tiaan oversteps a little. He means well, but Tiaan is also a charmer, so why is he focused on this married woman? I’m not entirely certain of what ’s going to happen, but you never know…” he teases. Mmm, so Tiaan hasn’t gotten that wild bachelor out of him entirely…