Ashley Callie

Ashley Callie (30 December 1976 – 15 February 2008) was a South African actress, best known for her role as Leone Haines in Isidingo (2000–08). She 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. Ashley Callie was born in Johannesburg. She went to St Mary's school, later earning her BA Honours degree in dramatic arts from the University of the Witwatersrand. She 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, she told Top Billing magazine that playing the role of Lee Haines on Isidingo had been a lifelong 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 the Netherlands; 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. Aside from Isidingo (which she held from 2000 until her death in 2008), Callie was co-owner of La Vista social club, in Melville, Gauteng but sold her share 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, she was awarded 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 fellow Isidingo actors Robert Whitehead and Steven Miyambo.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."