Ashley Callie
Encyclopedia
Ashley Callie was a South Africa
n actress best known for her role as Leone Haines in Isidingo (from 2000 to 2008). Callie died on 15 February 2008, as a result of head injuries from a head-on car collision in Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 February 2008.
.
Callie began her career with a role in the SABC TV production, Homeland, directed by Neil Sundstrom. Thereafter, she starred in a number of series, including Natural Rhythm and Uninvited Guest.
She also spent time in Cape Town
, where she starred in a number of commercials for the local South African market as well as the overseas markets.
On 15 March 2007, Callie told Lynne Gidis of Top Billing magazine that playing the role of Lee Haines on Isidingo had been a life long ambition; she had been a fan of the South African soap opera since it first aired in 1998. In her interview, she explained how she disliked the fame that came with her celebrity, and how her family was an extremely important part of her life. She also explained why her character, Lee Haines, was not at all like her. During that year, she appeared on the cover of Top Billing.
Also in 2007, she played a role in a movie in Holland; it was originally to be called Surprise; however, the title was changed later to Mafrika and then the producers promised to dedicate the film to Callie's memory.
In addition to her role in Isidingo (which she held from 2000 until her death in 2008), Callie was co-owner of La Vista social club, in Melville, Gauteng
(Johannesburg); but she sold her shares in 2007.
In 2006, for her role in Isidingo, she won the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Actress. The award took place on 28 October 2006, at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, South Africa.
On 29 February 2008, Callie won the Mzansi Star Actress award at the inaugural Stars of Mzansi awards ceremony, held at the South African State Theatre in Johannesburg. The award was accepted on her behalf by Robert Whitehead (who plays Barker Haines in Isidingo), and Steven Miyambo (who plays Orlando).
After her death, South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Zweledinga Pallo Jordan
called Callie the image of the new South Africa: "We were truly blessed to have a young, gifted, South African," he said, " who stretched all the sinews in her body to reflect the ideals of a united, non-racial and non-sexist society... the ministry is deeply shocked and saddened."
launch in Hyde Park
, when her Smart Car
collided with a red Renault on the corner of 4th Avenue and Tana road (in Linden
), at around 22:30 SAST.
She was immediately rushed to the Johannesburg General Hospital
, where she underwent surgery to alleviate pressure on her brain. Four days later, her sister, Lauren Callie, told the media that Callie was said to be in a stable condition in hospital. Callie then died in hospital shortly thereafter, due to complications from her injuries.
, the company behind the production, still had unaired footage of the actress; however, the character was eventually written out when she disappeared after learning of her mother's death, and then mysteriously died, while away, although it was not revealed how.
magistrate's court. He was charged with culpable homicide
, and reckless and negligent driving. Sources describe the charge as a "triple-whammy" for his family: his father committed suicide a month after the accident, and his mother had her own accident in April 2008. The charges came as a shock; the family were expecting "just a hearing".
At the time of the accident, the driver had had five friends with him in his car. Ms Arnel du Preez, senior state prosecutor, said that the state had an eye-witness who claimed to have seen the events. The case was postponed to 3 October 2008 in order to give the driver time to obtain legal representation.
On 3 October 2008, the driver appeared with his attorney, Ronald Lotz. The case was postponed again to 20 November 2008. Lotz requested time to appoint an expert to review the docket
.
The case was postponed again on 20 November 2008. Magistrate Fatima Khan postponed it to 14 January 2009. This was to give Lotz time to review colour photographs of the accident. He had previously only been able to review back-and-white copies. Upon re-convening on 14 January 2009, it was decided to move the case from the Randburg to the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, because jurisdiction of the matter was in dispute. The case was postponed a fifth time, to 13 February 2009.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n actress best known for her role as Leone Haines in Isidingo (from 2000 to 2008). Callie died on 15 February 2008, as a result of head injuries from a head-on car collision in Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 February 2008.
Biography
Ashley Callie was born in Johannesburg. She went to St Mary's school, and later received a BA Honours degree in dramatic arts from the University of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
.
Callie began her career with a role in the SABC TV production, Homeland, directed by Neil Sundstrom. Thereafter, she starred in a number of series, including Natural Rhythm and Uninvited Guest.
She also spent time in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, where she starred in a number of commercials for the local South African market as well as the overseas markets.
On 15 March 2007, Callie told Lynne Gidis of Top Billing magazine that playing the role of Lee Haines on Isidingo had been a life long ambition; she had been a fan of the South African soap opera since it first aired in 1998. In her interview, she explained how she disliked the fame that came with her celebrity, and how her family was an extremely important part of her life. She also explained why her character, Lee Haines, was not at all like her. During that year, she appeared on the cover of Top Billing.
Also in 2007, she played a role in a movie in Holland; it was originally to be called Surprise; however, the title was changed later to Mafrika and then the producers promised to dedicate the film to Callie's memory.
In addition to her role in Isidingo (which she held from 2000 until her death in 2008), Callie was co-owner of La Vista social club, in Melville, Gauteng
Melville, Gauteng
Melville is a Bohemian suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. It is the location of many restaurants and bars, which are mostly frequented by students from the nearby University of Johannesburg, located in Auckland Park. It is also one of the city's gay villages.The suburb was proclaimed on...
(Johannesburg); but she sold her shares in 2007.
In 2006, for her role in Isidingo, she won the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Actress. The award took place on 28 October 2006, at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, South Africa.
On 29 February 2008, Callie won the Mzansi Star Actress award at the inaugural Stars of Mzansi awards ceremony, held at the South African State Theatre in Johannesburg. The award was accepted on her behalf by Robert Whitehead (who plays Barker Haines in Isidingo), and Steven Miyambo (who plays Orlando).
After her death, South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Zweledinga Pallo Jordan
Pallo Jordan
Dr Zweledinga Pallo Jordan was the Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa from 29 April 2004 to 10 May 2009...
called Callie the image of the new South Africa: "We were truly blessed to have a young, gifted, South African," he said, " who stretched all the sinews in her body to reflect the ideals of a united, non-racial and non-sexist society... the ministry is deeply shocked and saddened."
Death
On 8 February 2008, Callie was on her way home from the Pirelli CalendarPirelli Calendar
The Pirelli Calendar is a trade calendar published by the Pirelli company's UK subsidiary. It has become an annual publication that dates back to 1964....
launch in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, Gauteng
Hyde Park is a wealthy suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It borders Illovo, Sandhurst, and Craighall Park. Hyde Park is located in Region 3.Virgin Atlantic Airways has its South Africa office in Hyde Park....
, when her Smart Car
Smart (automobile)
Smart is an automotive branch of Daimler AG. Smart is a German manufacturer of microcars produced in Hambach, France, and Böblingen, Germany...
collided with a red Renault on the corner of 4th Avenue and Tana road (in Linden
Linden, Gauteng
Linden is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa - situated along the border of Randburg.The suburb was designed so that most of the streets and avenues form similar sized "blocks" of housing areas. Third Avenue passes through the middle, along which a number of shops, churches and schools can be...
), at around 22:30 SAST.
She was immediately rushed to the Johannesburg General Hospital
Johannesburg General Hospital
'The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital , nicknamed Joburg Gen is an accredited general hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. It has 1088 beds...
, where she underwent surgery to alleviate pressure on her brain. Four days later, her sister, Lauren Callie, told the media that Callie was said to be in a stable condition in hospital. Callie then died in hospital shortly thereafter, due to complications from her injuries.
Memorial service
Callie's memorial service was held on 21 February 2008, at the Johannesburg Country Club. At the service, people described Callie as both radiant and charming, and that the ceremony itself was a celebration of her life. "We are not going to beat our breasts or don sack cloths and ashes," said Kate Turkington, a close family friend and master of ceremonies, speaking at the service, "We are here to celebrate Ashley's life, and what a life it was."Isidingo footage
Callie's character, Lee Haines, continued to be portrayed on screen from February to March 2008 since EndemolEndemol
Endemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...
, the company behind the production, still had unaired footage of the actress; however, the character was eventually written out when she disappeared after learning of her mother's death, and then mysteriously died, while away, although it was not revealed how.
Aftermath
Shortly after the actress's death, Johannesburg Metro Police released a statement, speculating that Callie may have been to blame for her accident. According to the official statement, Callie drove on the wrong side of the road. While alcohol may have been a factor, according to a Johannesburg metro spokesperson, Edna Mamonya, neither driver's blood at the time of the incident was tested for alcohol.Court case
On 28 August 2008, the driver of the second car appeared in the RandburgRandburg, Gauteng
Randburg is an area located in northern Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Formerly a separate municipality, its administration devolved to the newly created City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, along with neighbouring Sandton and Roodepoort, in the late 1990s.The resident demographic...
magistrate's court. He was charged with culpable homicide
Culpable homicide
Culpable homicide is a specific offence in various jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Nations which involves the illegal killing of a person either with or without an intention to kill depending upon how a particular jurisdiction has defined the offence...
, and reckless and negligent driving. Sources describe the charge as a "triple-whammy" for his family: his father committed suicide a month after the accident, and his mother had her own accident in April 2008. The charges came as a shock; the family were expecting "just a hearing".
At the time of the accident, the driver had had five friends with him in his car. Ms Arnel du Preez, senior state prosecutor, said that the state had an eye-witness who claimed to have seen the events. The case was postponed to 3 October 2008 in order to give the driver time to obtain legal representation.
On 3 October 2008, the driver appeared with his attorney, Ronald Lotz. The case was postponed again to 20 November 2008. Lotz requested time to appoint an expert to review the docket
Docket
Docket may refer to:*Docket , the official schedule of proceedings in lawsuits pending in a court of law. Term also includes a case identification number and reference point and case history for all case work involving a particular case....
.
The case was postponed again on 20 November 2008. Magistrate Fatima Khan postponed it to 14 January 2009. This was to give Lotz time to review colour photographs of the accident. He had previously only been able to review back-and-white copies. Upon re-convening on 14 January 2009, it was decided to move the case from the Randburg to the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, because jurisdiction of the matter was in dispute. The case was postponed a fifth time, to 13 February 2009.