Crystal-Donna Roberts

{{Infobox person

| name = Crystal-Donna Roberts

| image = Cropped_Photo_of_Crystal-Donna_Roberts.jpg

| image_size = 175px

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1984|10|13|df=y}}

| birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa

| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|3|6|1984|10|13|df=y}}

| death_place = Pretoria, South Africa

| alma_mater = University of the Free State

| spouse = {{married|Schalk Cornelessen|2015}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.netwerk24.com/sarie/bekendes/het-jy-gehoor/eksklusief-op-sariecom-crystal-donna-roberts-verloof-plus-so-lyk-die-ring-20170914|title=Crystal-Donna Roberts verloof! Plus só lyk die ring|journal=Sarie|date=4 September 2014|accessdate=23 November 2021|language=af}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|author}}

| years_active = 2009–2025

| website =

}}

Crystal-Donna Roberts (13 October 1984 – 6 March 2025) was a South African actress, presenter and writer. Her films included The Endless River (2015) and Krotoa (2017).{{Cite journal|url=https://www.news24.com/w24/style/fashion/red-carpet/exclusive-is-this-south-africa-actress-the-next-big-thing-20180514|title=Is this South African actress the next big thing?|journal=W24|first=Marisa|last=Crous|date=14 May 2018|accessdate=22 November 2021}}

Life and career

Roberts spent her early childhood in Cape Town, living in Bonteheuwel, Kensington, and Factreton. She completed her secondary education in Bloemfontein. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre from the University of the Free State in 2005. A year later, she moved back to Cape Town where she briefly worked as a high-school drama teacher before pursuing acting as a career.{{Cite web|url=https://jgf.org.za/names-of-the-candidates-of-the-prestigious-mentorship-programme-for-emerging-authors-in-2021-revealed/|title=Names of the candidates of the prestigious mentorship programme for emerging authors in 2021 revealed|website=The Jakes Gerwel Foundation|date=18 November 2020|accessdate=22 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider27/alumni-of-the-year-documents/2017_aty_ebooklet.pdf?sfvrsn=a322d221_2|title=35th Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner|website=University of the Free State|date=26 August 2017|accessdate=22 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hn9.co.za/blogs/categories/8/614|title=Talented On & Off Screen - Crystal Donna Roberts|website=Hectic 99|accessdate=23 November 2021}}

Roberts died from breast cancer in Pretoria, Gauteng, on 6 March 2025, at the age of 40.{{cite news |title=Celebrated Arendsvlei and 7de Laan actor Crystal-Donna Roberts, 40, has died |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/celebrated-arendsvlei-and-7de-laan-actor-crystal-donna-roberts-40-has-died-20250306 |access-date=10 March 2025 |publisher=News24 |date=6 March 2025}}

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2010 \| The Incredible Adventures of Hanna Hoekom \| Sharon \|
2011 \| The Italian Consul \| Mary \|
2011 \| Skeem \| Pearl \|
2012 \| Chronicle \| Samantha \|
2015 \| The Endless River \| Tiny Solomons \| {{Cite journal\|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-argus/20160701/282338269186925\|title=Crystal Donna Roberts debuts in a lead role\|journal=Cape Argus\|first1=Alaina\|last1=Reed Hall\|first2=Latoya\|last2=Newman\|date=1 July 2016\|accessdate=22 November 2021}}{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/kuier/20151021/281895887080263\|title=Crystal-Donna vlieg hoog!\|journal=Kuier\|date=21 October 2015\|accessdate=23 November 2021\|language=af}}
2016 \| Tussen as en hoop \| Olivia \|
2017 \| Krotoa \| Krotoa \| {{Cite web\|url=https://www.edbook.co.za/safta-winner-shares-her-excitement-about-travelling-to-the-cannes/\|title=SAFTA winner shares her excitement about travelling to the Cannes.\|website=EdBook\|first=Sinethemba\|last=April\|date=21 May 2018\|accessdate=22 November 2021}}
2017 \| The Number \| Bridget \|
2018 \| ''Our Albertinia \| Inge Abrahams \| Short film
2018 \| Benjamin \| Chantelle September \| Short film
2019 \| Liewe Lisa \| Lara \|
2019 \| Griekwastad \| Tracey \|
2024 \| What If \| Valerie van Wyk \| Short film
2024 \| Mr Isaacs \| Dr Jolene Fortuin \| Short film

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2010

| The Incredible Adventures of Hanna Hoekom

| Sharon

2011

| The Italian Consul

| Mary

2011

| Skeem

| Pearl

2012

| Chronicle

| Samantha

2015

| The Endless River

| Tiny Solomons

| {{Cite journal|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-argus/20160701/282338269186925|title=Crystal Donna Roberts debuts in a lead role|journal=Cape Argus|first1=Alaina|last1=Reed Hall|first2=Latoya|last2=Newman|date=1 July 2016|accessdate=22 November 2021}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/kuier/20151021/281895887080263|title=Crystal-Donna vlieg hoog!|journal=Kuier|date=21 October 2015|accessdate=23 November 2021|language=af}}

2016

| Tussen as en hoop

| Olivia

2017

| Krotoa

| Krotoa

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.edbook.co.za/safta-winner-shares-her-excitement-about-travelling-to-the-cannes/|title=SAFTA winner shares her excitement about travelling to the Cannes.|website=EdBook|first=Sinethemba|last=April|date=21 May 2018|accessdate=22 November 2021}}

2017

| The Number

| Bridget

2018

| ''Our Albertinia

| Inge Abrahams

| Short film

2018

| Benjamin

| Chantelle September

| Short film

2019

| Liewe Lisa

| Lara

2019

| Griekwastad

| Tracey

2024

| What If

| Valerie van Wyk

| Short film

2024

| Mr Isaacs

| Dr Jolene Fortuin

| Short film

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2009 \| Montana \| Bijou \| Season 1
2010–2014 \| Vallei van Sluiers \| Charmaine Willemse \| Main role
2012 \| Vloeksteen \| Ina Uys \| Season 1
2013 \| Die Boland Moorde \| Elmarie \| Season 1
2016 \| Die Byl \| Evelyn \| Season 1
2008 \| Mense Mense \| Liesel Klein \| Main role
2018 \| Fine Print ({{langx\|af\|Fynskrif}}) \| Thandi \| Main role (season 1)
2018–2024 \| Arendsvlei \| Janice Cupido \| Main role
2019 \| Die Spreeus \| Jenny \| Episode: "Shaun Vink"
2020 \| Projek Dina \| Bonita \|
2020 \| Kompleks \| Lucy \| 1 episode
2021 \| Swartwater \| Ava Ebrahim \| Season 3
2021 \| Asseblief & Dankie \| Cassi \| Television film
2022 \| Grootste Treffers \| Quickstix \| Television film
2022–2023 \| Fraksie \| Chantel \| 17 episodes

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2009

| Montana

| Bijou

| Season 1

2010–2014

| Vallei van Sluiers

| Charmaine Willemse

| Main role

2012

| Vloeksteen

| Ina Uys

| Season 1

2013

| Die Boland Moorde

| Elmarie

| Season 1

2016

| Die Byl

| Evelyn

| Season 1

2008

| Mense Mense

| Liesel Klein

| Main role

2018

| Fine Print ({{langx|af|Fynskrif}})

| Thandi

| Main role (season 1)

2018–2024

| Arendsvlei

| Janice Cupido

| Main role

2019

| Die Spreeus

| Jenny

| Episode: "Shaun Vink"

2020

| Projek Dina

| Bonita

2020

| Kompleks

| Lucy

| 1 episode

2021

| Swartwater

| Ava Ebrahim

| Season 3

2021

| Asseblief & Dankie

| Cassi

| Television film

2022

| Grootste Treffers

| Quickstix

| Television film

2022–2023

| Fraksie

| Chantel

| 17 episodes

=Stage=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2009 \| Romeo & Juliet: Unplugged \| Juliet \| Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20090224/282587373881387\|title=Cape Flats twang for Juliet\|journal=Cape Times\|date=24 February 2009\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}
2013 \| Bidsprinkaan \| Katryn \| Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/whats-on/theatre-fests-aim-to-spoil-you-1484867\|title=Theatre fests aim to spoil you\|journal=IOL\|first=Adrienne\|last=Sichel\|date=12 March 2013\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}
2014 \| Rondomskrik \| Various \| Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town{{Cite web\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/south-africa/article/Rachelle-Greeffs-RONDOMSKRIK-Opens-at-the-Baxter-Theatre-20141105\|title=Rachelle Greeff's RONDOMSKRIK Opens at the Baxter Theatre\|website=BroadwayWorld\|first=David\|last=Fick\|date=5 November 2014\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}
2015 \| Siener in die Suburbs \| Tiemie \| Aardklop, Potchefstroom

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2009

| Romeo & Juliet: Unplugged

| Juliet

| Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town{{Cite journal|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20090224/282587373881387|title=Cape Flats twang for Juliet|journal=Cape Times|date=24 February 2009|accessdate=23 November 2021}}

2013

| Bidsprinkaan

| Katryn

| Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn{{Cite journal|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/whats-on/theatre-fests-aim-to-spoil-you-1484867|title=Theatre fests aim to spoil you|journal=IOL|first=Adrienne|last=Sichel|date=12 March 2013|accessdate=23 November 2021}}

2014

| Rondomskrik

| Various

| Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/south-africa/article/Rachelle-Greeffs-RONDOMSKRIK-Opens-at-the-Baxter-Theatre-20141105|title=Rachelle Greeff's RONDOMSKRIK Opens at the Baxter Theatre|website=BroadwayWorld|first=David|last=Fick|date=5 November 2014|accessdate=23 November 2021}}

2015

| Siener in die Suburbs

| Tiemie

| Aardklop, Potchefstroom

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! Ref
2015 \| Venice International Film Festival \| Best Actress \| The Endless River \| {{nom}} \| {{Cite web\|url=https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/people-culture/arts-culture/south_african_film_nominated-300715\|title=South African film actress nominated for Venice Fest awards\|website=Brand South Africa\|date=30 July 2015\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}"First South African Film Selected for Venice Film Festival". All Africa, 31 July 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015 from Factiva database.
2018 \| rowspan="3" \| South African Film and Television Awards \| Best Actress – Film \| Krotoa \| {{won}} \| {{Cite journal\|url=https://www.news24.com/truelove/archive/mccafe-congratulate-nakhane-toure-and-crystal-donna-roberts-for-their-wins-at-the-saftas12-20180326\|title=McCafé congratulates Nakhane Touré and Crystal-Donna Roberts for their wins at the SAFTAs12\|journal=True Love\|first=Amanda\|last=Ndlangisa\|date=26 March 2018\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.glamour.co.za/celebrity-news/saftas-2018-the-full-list-of-winners-17320502\|title=SAFTA's 2018: The full list of winners\|journal=Glamour\|first=Megan\|last=van Eck\|date=26 March 2018\|accessdate=23 November 2021}}
2020 \| rowspan="2" \| Best Actress – Telenovela \| rowspan="2" \| Arendsvlei \| {{nom}} \| {{Cite journal\|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-27-sa-actors-excited-about-royal-soapie-awards--heres-the-full-list/\|title=SA actors excited about Royal Soapie Awards — here's the full list\|journal=Times Live\|first=Chrizelda\|last=Kekana\|date=27 August 2020\|accessdate=12 October 2021}}
2021 \| {{nom}} \| {{Cite web\|url=https://themediaonline.co.za/2021/05/awards-wrap-all-the-safta-nominees-viacomcbs-scoops-11-nominations-winners-of-the-6th-pan-african-reinsurance-journalism-awards/\|title=Awards Wrap: All the SAFTA nominees, ViacomCBS scoops 11 nominations, winners of the 6th pan-African (re)insurance journalism awards\|website=The Media Online\|date=4 May 2021\|accessdate=12 October 2021}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

Year

! Award

! Category

! Work

! Result

! Ref

2015

| Venice International Film Festival

| Best Actress

| The Endless River

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/people-culture/arts-culture/south_african_film_nominated-300715|title=South African film actress nominated for Venice Fest awards|website=Brand South Africa|date=30 July 2015|accessdate=23 November 2021}}"First South African Film Selected for Venice Film Festival". All Africa, 31 July 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015 from Factiva database.

2018

| rowspan="3" | South African Film and Television Awards

| Best Actress – Film

| Krotoa

| {{won}}

| {{Cite journal|url=https://www.news24.com/truelove/archive/mccafe-congratulate-nakhane-toure-and-crystal-donna-roberts-for-their-wins-at-the-saftas12-20180326|title=McCafé congratulates Nakhane Touré and Crystal-Donna Roberts for their wins at the SAFTAs12|journal=True Love|first=Amanda|last=Ndlangisa|date=26 March 2018|accessdate=23 November 2021}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.glamour.co.za/celebrity-news/saftas-2018-the-full-list-of-winners-17320502|title=SAFTA's 2018: The full list of winners|journal=Glamour|first=Megan|last=van Eck|date=26 March 2018|accessdate=23 November 2021}}

2020

| rowspan="2" | Best Actress – Telenovela

| rowspan="2" | Arendsvlei

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite journal|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-27-sa-actors-excited-about-royal-soapie-awards--heres-the-full-list/|title=SA actors excited about Royal Soapie Awards — here's the full list|journal=Times Live|first=Chrizelda|last=Kekana|date=27 August 2020|accessdate=12 October 2021}}

2021

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://themediaonline.co.za/2021/05/awards-wrap-all-the-safta-nominees-viacomcbs-scoops-11-nominations-winners-of-the-6th-pan-african-reinsurance-journalism-awards/|title=Awards Wrap: All the SAFTA nominees, ViacomCBS scoops 11 nominations, winners of the 6th pan-African (re)insurance journalism awards|website=The Media Online|date=4 May 2021|accessdate=12 October 2021}}

References

External links

{{IMDb name|3997616}}
{{TVSA name|id=17821}}

Category:1984 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:Actresses from Cape Town

Category:Deaths from breast cancer in South Africa

Category:Cape Coloureds

Category:People from Bloemfontein

Category:South African film actresses

Category:South African stage actresses

Category:South African television actresses

Category:University of the Free State alumni