Biography
Ashley was born in East London, South Africa, in 1968. Raised near the sea alongside a brother, sister, and two devoted parents, he attended Selborne Primary and College—the latter founded in 1879. This historic institution, where many former students served and sacrificed in both world wars, fueled his deep passion for the arts, music, and literature. An avid reader, a natural performer, and a gifted musician, Ashley honed the skills during these formative years that would later define his career. He finished school at 17 and was selected for the Rotary exchange program.
In 1985, he studied in Australia while promoting South Africa, a challenging endeavor during the turbulent 1980s. Returning inspired, he enrolled at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, earning a Bachelor of Arts and an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts under the guidance of writers like Andre Brink and playwright Reza De Wet. During his studies, he took lead roles in productions at the International Grahamstown Festival, including Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, The Crucible, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A prestigious bursary enabled him to pursue a Higher Diploma in Education at the University of Cape Town. Though his true passion lay in the arts, he embraced teaching English at Selborne College for a year. In 1993, he established The A.R.T Studio, a drama school in East London that inspired over 120 aspiring actors and musicians.
Drawn irresistibly to stage and screen, Ashley moved to Johannesburg eight years ago to pursue fame and fortune. His achievements since then have been impressive. As a soap star, voice-over artist, writer, and natural comedian, he has won acclaim from critics and audiences alike. His recent role as an everyman mine captain in the award-winning South African soap Isidingo earned him a best actor nomination. A prolific writer, his comedic advertising campaigns featuring quirky South African characters have entertained the nation for more than five years.
Ashley has toured locally and internationally with theatre productions such as Hair, The Buddy Holly Story, Mojo, and African Tales. He has appeared worldwide in major international advertising campaigns and is celebrated for his nuanced and thoughtful character portrayals. His lead roles in international television series include Soldier Soldier, The Black Velvet Band, and most recently, The Switch. A sought-after voice-over artist with narration credits for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, he is recognized as one of the country’s leading voices on radio and television.
He has completed both a novel and a screenplay, confident they will achieve success in the near future. His most significant film role to date is the lead in Stander (2003), a performance that promises to elevate his already remarkable career. He plans to make New York his home in 2004.
