Esta TerBlanche was a South African actress best known for her role as Gillian Andrassy on the American soap opera “All My Children.”
Esta’s acting career began in South Africa. She first gained attention as a television actress and quickly became a household name in her home country.
Highlights
- Esta was born on January 7, 1973, in Rustenburg, South Africa. She moved to the United States in 1995.
- Her father remains in South Africa, while her mother had previously passed away. Esta also has a younger brother, Henko, who lives in New York.
- Over her 23-year career in the American entertainment industry, Esta worked on various television shows and films, demonstrating her versatility across genres.
Esta grew up in Rustenburg, a small town in South Africa, where she developed an interest in acting and the arts at a young age.
She attended the State Theatre in Pretoria, where she honed her acting skills and received formal training.
Tragically, TerBlanche passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the age of 51, at her home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Esta TerBlanche Recently Revisited Her Hometown In South Africa And Spent Time With Her Father & Family!
Esta TerBlanche was born on January 7, 1973, in the North West province of Rustenburg, South Africa.
She moved to the United States in 1995, embarking on a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Her father remains in South Africa, and during her recent visit, she spent a week with him, demonstrating their close bond despite the distance.
He has been a supportive figure throughout her career, and Esta always valued her time with him whenever she visited home.
Sadly, Esta’s mother has passed away. Esta often spoke fondly of her mother, reflecting on her significant impact on her journey as an actress.
In addition to her father, Esta has a younger brother named Henko, who lives in New York. Henko, like Esta, maintains strong connections to South Africa and the United States.
She recently visited her hometown two weeks ago. During her visit, she also saw her aunt, who is also named Esta, and spent time with her family there.
Esta TerBlanche’s Career Rose from South African Stardom to American Daytime TV!
TerBlanche has spent around 23 years in the American entertainment industry, establishing herself as a notable actress and beauty queen.
In the early 1990s, Esta made her breakthrough in the South African television industry with her role in the popular soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold.
Her performance garnered widespread acclaim and established her as a prominent actress in South Africa.
In 1997, Esta moved to the United States to further her career. There, she landed the role of Gillian Andrassy on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
This soap made her a well-known name on American daytime television.
Her character, a Hungarian princess, quickly became a fan favorite, and Esta’s portrayal was praised for its charm and depth.
Her character was involved in numerous dramatic storylines, including romantic entanglements and complex family dynamics, which showcased her acting range.
After leaving All My Children in 2001, Esta continued acting in American and South African productions.
She took on various roles in television movies and guest-starred in several TV series. Her versatility as an actress allowed her to work in different genres, from drama to comedy.
Moreover, after spending more than two decades in the American entertainment industry, Esta TerBlanche wanted to retire and return to South Africa.
She planned to open her spa and explore her interest in documentaries with South African filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum.
Additional Information
- Esta TerBlanche was married to André de Kock. They got married on December 5, 1997. The couple was together for about eleven years before divorcing in 2008.
- During her time on “All My Children,” Esta received several award nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award nomination.
- Apart from acting, Esta was involved in various philanthropic activities.
