Colin Moss
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Colin Moss (February 9, 1976 – ) is a South African TV presenter and celebrity, most famous for presenting the South African incarnation of the popular reality TV show Pop Idol. He also stars in the 2005 South African film Straight Outta Benoni, created by the Crazy Monkey team.
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[edit] Early years
Colin Moss was born a month early on the 9th of February 1976 at Park Lane Clinic in Johannesburg. He graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, majoring in Drama and Music. During his years at university, he starred in many productions, among them Shakespeare's "As You Like It" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Bertolt Brecht's "Caucasian Chalk Circle" and Timberlake Wertenbaker's "Our Country’s Good".
As a student, he became a well known personality in improvised comedy shows - Comedy Games, Comedy Clash and Soapfish, appearing in Durban, Johannesburg and Grahamstown. Other memorable early Durban work included children's theatre with Garth Anderson Productions – "The Minerva Children" and "Where the Rainbow Ends". He was also a member of Garth Anderson's Actors' Co-operative and appeared in The Lunatic, The Lover and The Poet, a salute to Shakespeare.
After a few years of menial labour (including many hot hours dressed in animal costumes), he landed the role of Stuart Buller on the popular South African Soap Isidingo (the character later died a tragic, painful death allowing him to move to Cape Town). Since then his television engagements have included presenting Citylife, Fear Factor SA, Idols 2003, Top Billing and Idols 2005. His film roles have included the role of Roderigo in the South African film version of Othello and minor parts in Red Phone, Citizen Verdict and Charlie. He played the antagonist, Chad, in Crazy Monkey's Straight out of Benoni and the title role in Number 10 Colin is also one of South Africa's headline stand-up comics - he regularly plays comedy clubs around the country and in the UK.
[edit] Television
[edit] Isidingo: The Need
At 21 Colin relocated to Johannesburg, where he worked as an all-night barman for two months before landing the role of Stewart Buller in SABC 3's Isidingo, in which he fast became every mother's favourite son and the idol of teens. The death of Stewart Buller two years later (at Moss' request), sparked a national outcry. Radio 702 invited him to spend a few hours on radio fielding calls from listeners, in order to prove that he was still very much alive.
[edit] Fear Factor
A big break for Moss was being selected as the presenter of the South African version of the hit international reality show, Fear Factor. "I had to be a hard-arsed, unforgiving task master, which showed a completely different side of me," said Moss of his role in this adrenalin pumping adventure series which challenges contestants to overcome their fears.
[edit] City Life
Colin was the Cape Town presenter on the popular magazine programme City Life, a lifestyle series, aimed at showcasing the best on offer in entertainment, leisure, food and eating out.
[edit] Idols
Moss has, as of 2005, presented or co-presented two seasons (2003 and 2005) of the South African hit reality show Idols.
[edit] Idols 2003 (Season 2)
Colin relocated to Johannesburg for five months when he was offered the job as co-presenter of Idols 2003 along with Letoya Makhene. In December 2003, Colin accompanied the 2002 winner Heinz Winckler, to London where Winckler participated in the World Idol final.
[edit] Idols 2005 (Season 3)
Moss presented the 2005 season of Idols without the aid of a co-presenter.
[edit] Top Billing
Moss made regular appearances on the South African lifestyle magazine program Top Billing in 2004.
[edit] Miscellaneous TV appearances
- Cave Girl - TV Series for CBBC
- Comedy Series 2002 - Two Hats Productions
- The Stevie Show
[edit] Film
[edit] Straight Outta Benoni
Moss played a major role in the South African film Straight Outta Benoni, created by the Crazy Monkey team.
[edit] Number 10
Colin appeared in his first title role as a fly-half in the South African rugby drama Number 10 due for release in 2006.
[edit] Miscellaneous film appearances
[edit] Stage
[edit] Comedy
Moss is a well-known and respected comedian in the South African comedy scene. He has performed locally and abroad in the UK.
[edit] Miscellanous stage appearances
- My Zinc Bed (2005)
[edit] Commercials
Colin lives in Cape Town where he is kept busy each year during season, shooting South African as well as international commercials. He has starred in excess of thirty international commercials over the past couple of years. Currently he can be seen in the "Bond" style DSTV commercials.
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Talents
- Saxophone
- Argentine Tango
- Fencing
- Sand-boarding
- Gun competency
- Scuba Diving (PADI Advanced)
- Advanced Drivers Course
- Martial Arts (Muay Thai)
