
Ian Roberts
Biography
Ian Roberts is a South African actor, playwright and singer best known to television viewers for his roles in the drama series Arende and Snitch, and as the character Boet in a series of long-running advertisements for Castrol motor oil. Roberts was born in Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape and raised on a citrus farm near the town. He attended St. Andrew's Preparatory School and St. Andrew's College in Grahamstown. After completing high school he performed his compulsory national service in the South African Army, which he completed in 1971. After a variety of different jobs and a course in photography at the Port Elizabeth Technical College from 1973 to 1975, Roberts enrolled at Rhodes University in 1976 for a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Speech, Drama and Social Anthropology. Ian Roberts has built up an extensive acting career in theatre, television and film. Roberts was married to South African actress Michele Botes, but the couple divorced in 1999. They have two children.
Filmography

A Kind of Madness
2025
as Dan Hart

Pusha Pressa Phanda
2021

Mia and the White Lion
2018
as John's Father

Van der Merwe
2017
as Oupa Van der Merwe

Tremors 5: Bloodlines
2015
as Den Bravers

The Windmill
2014
as Doctor Rossouw

Stuur Groete Aan Mannetjies Roux
2013
as Frans

Musiek Vir Die Agtergrond
2013
as Chris

Bakgat 3
2013
as Basjan

Babalas
2013
as Boet
- No poster
Eternity
2010
as Professor Tevis Shapiro

Bakgat 2
2010
as Basjan du Preez

The Race-Ist
2010
as Noel Oosthuizen

Bakgat!
2008
as Basjan du Preez
- No poster
Number 10
2006
as Marius Kramer

Tsotsi
2005
as Captain Smit

3 Needles
2005
as Hallyday, the Plantation Owner

Red Dust
2004
as Piet Müller

Askari
2001
as Ripshaw

I Dreamed of Africa
2000
as Mike Donovan

A Reasonable Man
1999
as Chris Van Rooyen

Sweepers
1998
as Yager

Tarzan and the Lost City
1998
as Captain Dooley

Paljas
1998
as Frans