As an introvert, Dean Olivier is getting used to the attention since featuring in the local telenovela Arendsvlei. He has taken inspiration from both his private and professional life for his works of art. Acting gave this shy kid from Stellenbosch the confidence and voice he needed.
Dean Richard Olivier, alumnus of Stellenbosch University, is wearing his Arendsvlei t-shirt with pride. Dean became a well-known name in the entertainment industry especially since he landed the role of Anton Venter in the telenovela Arendsvlei.
When asked about how he is dealing with his newfound fame, this friendly old-Matie laughs. “Now I’m shy,” says Dean.
It took him some time to get used to the idea that there will always be eyes on him, as he is actually shy and introverted.
“Being in the public eye terrifies me,” says Dean. His Instagram profile is private and there is limited information about him online.
The shy and introverted Dean believes that people should put a little bit of love in everything they do. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
What at first was a shock to his body later turned into motivation.
“I do get a lot of messages, for example where people tell me how they look up to me and how I inspire them – and I mean, I take that to heart. It is something that really motivates me when I’m doubting myself.”
But he doesn’t like the idea of fame. He doesn’t even like the word. He does, however, enjoy the idea of being able to reach out, educate and empower people.
“The idea that I am able to influence people by just doing what I love, is so beautiful.”
This photo was taken for Dean’s play Oupa in which he plays the lead role of Tommie. One of the main themes of the play is astrology. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
Acting and Identity
Dean attended Stellenbosch High and started acting in 2010, when he was in Grade 8. This was not so much because he wanted to become an actor, but rather to build confidence.
“I was a very shy kid. I could not speak in front of people and my drama teacher Juffrou Hunlun, helped me gain confidence.”
He mentions that drama helped him build a voice for himself as he was bullied at school.
“The arts gave me a space to be myself.”
Dean sits in a shirt that says “weirdo” while wearing a bandana which he likes to wear often. “Learn to love your skin and bones. It took me some time,” says Dean. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
Dean says acting helped him shape his identity and build skills for the future.
After high school, he decided to study BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) at Stellenbosch University.
“I remember all the sleepless nights where I had to learn lines, prepare for auditions, only had two-minute noodles to eat and, on top of that, studied. This gave me some sort of drive; a drive towards success and dreams.”
Acting has also given him the ability to shape his perspective on life and to determine what he needs and wants.
Dean playing the role of Flitsie in the theatre production of Die Gangsters. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
“I have developed a strong voice of confidence and by working with multiple people, your world is opened even more.”
The character Lana Lust, from the play Drag Queens On Trial, is one of his favourite roles he has played so far.
He explains that Lana was a drag queen who travelled the world as an artist, influencing woman and fellow queer people while being a voice for those who were too scared to speak up for their rights.
The character also secretly suffered from HIV and was busy dying. Lana used her last breath to speak words of love and motivation.
“That’s why I like people like Viola Davis and Maya Angelou. She was one of those people who spoke with words of wisdom and empowered others,” Dean says about the character Lana.
Lana allowed Dean to be the person that he is today and also led him to research the LGBTQI+ community. Today he is very passionate about the LGBTQI+ community.
“It was the most real character that I’ve played. I learned a lot from the character.”
Dean at the kykNET fiestas 2020 with actress Vashti Prins. Dean has worked hard to get where he is today and he has no plan on stopping anytime soon. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
John Travolta and love for movies
Dean’s biological father died when he was four years old. Therefore, he never got the opportunity to get to know him personally.
His mother, Vanessa Adriaanse, was a big John Travolta fan and used to tell Dean that Travolta is his father. He believed her.
Dean being his “weird” self with his mother Vanessa Adriaanse. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
“I was one of those that believed in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, so you could tell me anything and I would believe it.”
He remembers watching all Travolta’s movies on e.tv, following his every single acting move.
“I would tell my mother that one day I’m going to be an actor like my father.”
While Dean eventually realised that Travolta was not his father, his love for movies stuck.
‘Oupa’
His passion for storytelling comes from his family, as storytelling is a big thing for them.
Growing up in a big family helped a lot with his acting career, Dean says. One of his biggest influences was his grandfather, John William van Rooy.
“He used to tell me stories about the Greeks and Greek mythology, stories on the stars. And that’s where my love for astrology comes from.”
Van Rooy became the inspiration behind his self-written 2018 play, Oupa.
Dean with his grandfather John Willam van Rooy, who inspired his play Oupa. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
“Basically the idea or concept behind the production, Oupa, was that I wanted to share my love for astrology. I got my love for astrology via my grandfather because he used to tell me stories about the origin of the stars and soulmates and stuff like that.”
Dean took this information he gained from his grandfather and started writing Oupa to tell his grandfather’s life story.
Unfortunately, Van Rooy never got to see the play as he fell sick and passed away in 2015. But according to Dean, his grandfather was part of the writing process.
“I started writing the play in 2014 and then in 2015, my grandfather got sick. So he was in the hospital for four weeks and for those weeks, I used to sit with him every single day writing the play next to him in the hospital.”
Dean remembers that on the day his grandfather passed away, he said to him, “Dean, definitely take this play and put it in the theatre.”
It took some time but Dean eventually had the opportunity to put the play in theatres.
Dean on the set of Oupa, a story of a student named Tommie who, with his four best friends and sister, wait for a shooting star, a star Tommie’s grandfather told him about. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
Art in the works
Dean has written a TV series called Origami and he is currently in the process of working with an American director to produce the series.
“It focuses on deep psychological trauma people go through,” says Dean.
Dean came out to his family as queer on Christmas Day 2019 and he says his coming out story inspired the series.
He would not give more information but says that the pilot is being filmed next year.
Dean features in the series Flat Tires as the lead, Gio. The series is directed by American director Robbie Leacock. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier
Music plays a big role in Dean’s life as he says music allows him to tell stories in a different manner.
He is busy with another side project which is his first album.
“I don’t see it as a music album…I’m not a singer. But it is an art project, hoping to empower my fellow queers.”
Words of wisdom
The entertainment industry is tough and just like every industry, you have your ups and downs, says Dean.
“Be prepared to work hard, fight for what you want,” he says. “Be prepared to read, cry and laugh. Make yourself available to learn and allow people to educate you.”
Even though the entertainment industry is tough, Dean says it is even tougher for people of colour.
He says that there are very few proper opportunities for people of colour. But he hopes that this will change soon.
However, he says, one should continue to embrace every opportunity and to make the best of it. Just like acting helped him find confidence in himself, he wants other people of colour to build the same confidence of self.
“To my fellow people of colour: Develop confidence within your skin, heart and mind. Support your fellow people of colour, embrace every door that opens and stay humble.”
Dean with castmates Thabo Rametsi and Lunathi Mampofu on the set of Flat Tires. PHOTO: Supplied by Dean Richard Olivier