Diaan Lawrenson

{{Short description|South African actress}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1978|4|6}}

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| birth_place = Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

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| alma_mater = AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy

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| height = 1.7m

| years_active = 1989–present

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| spouse = Jody Abrahams (m. 2014)

| children = 2

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| website = https://www.jesterproductions.co.za

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| occupation = Actress, screenwriter, filmmaker, lecturer

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Diaan Lawrenson (born 4 April 1978) is a South African actress, producer and lecturer.{{Cite web |title=Diaan Lawrenson : TVSA |url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=1553 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=www.tvsa.co.za}} She is best known for her roles in the films and series Raaiselkind, Semi-Soet and 7de Laan.{{Cite web |last=Gitonga |first=Ruth |date=2019-10-14 |title=Here is the success life story of Diaan Lawrenson |url=https://briefly.co.za/39147-diaan-lawrenson-age-children-husband-wedding-tv-shows-movies-nominations-instagram.html |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Briefly |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Diaan Lawrenson |url=https://afternoonexpress.co.za/guests/diaan-lawrenson/547 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=afternoonexpress.co.za}} She is the Dean of AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy.{{Cite web |title=Upfront Profile with Diaan Lawrenson |url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/podcasts/294/breakfast-with-refilwe-moloto/207506/upfront-profile-with-diaan-lawrenson |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=CapeTalk |language=en-ZA}}

Personal life

She was born 6 April 1978 in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. During her elementary school, she acted in the school stage and joined the musical choir as well. In 2001, Diaan graduated from African Film Drama and Art School (AFDA) in Johannesburg.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=Diaan Lawrenson talks about being a wife, mom and working woman |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/2589300/diaan-lawrenson-strong-woman-with-grit/ |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}

She is married to fellow actor Jody Abrahams in 2014 at the St. Martin's-in-the-Veld Anglican Church in Rosebank, Johannesburg.{{Cite web |title=A day with Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams |url=http://www.topbilling.com/articles/A-day-with-Diaan-Lawrenson-and-Jody-Abrahams.html?articleID=2024 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=www.topbilling.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Diaan Lawrenson gushes over husband Jody Abrahams |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/diaan-lawrenson-gushes-over-husband-jody-abrahams-20180808 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |date=8 August 2018 |language=en-US}} The couple have one girl: Olivia-Rose and boy: Thomas James.{{Cite web |title=Diaan Lawrenson's kids write her the sweetest love note |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/diaan-lawrensons-kids-write-her-the-sweetest-love-note-20181119 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |date=18 November 2018 |language=en-US}}

Career

In 2002, she made a minor television role of "Merle" in the series Egoli: Place of Gold. Then she acted in the 2003 series Song vir Katryn with another minor role. In the same year, she received a supportive role in the serial Backstage. In that, she got the opportunity to make her film debut with the film Stander.

In 2008, she joined the cast of SABC 2 soap opera, 7de Laan and played the role "Paula van der Leque".{{Cite web |title=Paula says goodbye to 7de Laan |url=https://www.news24.com/Channel/paula-says-goodbye-to-7de-laan-20160408 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}} Her role received huge popularity, where she continued to play the role for 8 years until retired in 2016.{{Cite web |title=PIC: Diaan Lawrenson shares sweet 'Paula and Altus' throwback! |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/pic-diaan-lawrenson-shares-sweet-paula-and-altus-throwback-20190219-2 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |date=18 February 2019 |language=en-US}} In both 2010 and 2013, she won the YOU Spectacular Award for Best Actress for this role. Then in 2009, she won the ATKV Feather award for the Best Actress. In 2012, she played the role "" in the film Semi-Soet directed by Joshua Rous.{{Cite web |last=Brighton |first=Sam |title=Semi-Soet |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/reviews/semi-soet-20120119 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}} Since 2016, she started to work as a lecturer at AFDA in Cape Town and in 2019, she was appointed as the dean of the campus.{{Cite web |title=Leading from the front – Diaan Lawrenson: AFDA Film School |url=https://2019.afda.co.za/article/1530/Leading-from-the-front-Diaan-Lawrenson/ |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=2019.afda.co.za |language=en}} Meanwhile, she is the co-owner of the media production company, "Jester Productions".

In 2015, she wrote and produced the short film Hartloop. In the meantime, she acted in the critics acclaim film Mooirivier and played the role of "Sarah".{{Cite web |last=Korff |first=Jean-Marie |title=Mooirivier |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/reviews/mooirivier-20150129 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}} In the same year, she appeared in the film Sink directed by AFDA alumnus Brett Michael Inne. The film won several awards at many film festivals and also received critics acclaim. In 2016, she acted in the film Tablemanners with the role "Megan".{{Cite web |last=Engelbrecht |first=Leandra |title=Table Manners |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/reviews/table-manners-20180920-2 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}} Then in 2017, she acted in the film Raaiselkind and then Susters in 2018, both became blockbusters.{{Cite web |last=Morkel |first=Graye |title=Raaiselkind |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/reviews/raaiselkind-20180208 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Women take the lead in new local flick Susters |url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/news/women-take-the-lead-in-new-local-flick-susters-20180323 |access-date=2021-10-16 |website=Channel |language=en-US}} In 2021, she joined the kykNET anthology series Spoorloos for its third installment Steynhof as Joey Steyn.

Filmography

class="wikitable"
YearFilmRoleGenreRef.
2002Egoli: Place of GoldMerleTV series
2003Song vir KatrynstripperTV series
2003BacstageMienkieTV series
2003StanderBank 3 Female Bank TellerFilm
2008-20167de LaanPaula van der LecqueTV series
2012Semi-SoetChadrie SnymanFilm
2013Bullets Oor Bishop LavisAnelShort film
2014Die BylSaskia du ToitTV series
2015MooirivierSarahFilm
2015HartloopProducerShort film
2015SinkChantelleFilm
2016Jou RomeoJuffrou GoosenFilm
2016Hilde se HartsklankeProducerTV series
2016TablemannersMeganFilm
2017RaaiselkindIngrid DorflingFilm
2017Die SkattiesProducerTV series
2017Die BoekklubCecilleTV series
2018SustersJoFilm
2018Table MannersMeganFilm
2020Op en AfProducerTV mini series
2021Spoorloos: SteynhofJoey SteynMain role

=Theatre works=

  • Kysbriewe (2014)
  • Bullets over Bishop Lavis (2012 – 2014)
  • Roemers en Bloemers (2012 – 2013)
  • Vrydag is Skeidag (2010 – 2011)
  • Under the fig tree (2009)
  • Dirk & Lindie (2008)
  • Die Vals Snor (2007)
  • Pleiboyz (2006)
  • So Waar As Vet (2005)
  • Dubbel en Dwars (2004)
  • Four Play (2003 – 2004)
  • Six Inches (2002 – 2003)
  • Pendoring Eiendoms Beperk (2002)
  • Closer (2001)
  • Go It Maid! (2001)
  • Magspel (2000)
  • Dangerous Liaisons (2000)
  • Theresa Se Droom (2000)
  • Who Digs Who (2000)
  • Rudely Stamped (1999 – 2000)
  • Requiem (1998)

Awards

  • AFDA Nomination: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writer
  • SAFTA nomination: Best Actress
  • Crystal nomination: Best Actress, Best Newcomer
  • YOU Spectacular Award: Best Actress (2013)
  • YOU Spectacular Award: Best Actress (2010)
  • ATKV Feather: Best Actress (2009)
  • AFDA Award: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writer (1998 - 2001)

References

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