Scot Cooper is a South African actor, whose combination of discipline, passion and talent are getting him into the right spaces, having already worked alongside actors such as Olga Kurylenko, James Purefoy and Rupert Friend. Cooper has a BA in live performance from AFDA and was trained by world renowned Meisner teacher, William Esper, at the Esper Studio in New York and critically acclaimed South African actress Aletta Bezuidenhout at the Screen Act Studio in Cape Town.

Blessed with looks and natural talent, he landed his first film role straight out of college in the American war film, 1968 Tunnel Rats and went on to work with Uwe Boll again in Far Cry. His credits also include supporting roles in the award-winning The World Unseen and Bordering on Bad Behaviour. More recently, Cooper had a supporting role in Momentum and took on a lead in the local film, Reconnect, with another lead in the Girl from Nowhere, which releases in 2016.

The versatile actor has starred in a number of stage productions including Pride & Prejudice and Tape, has co-starred in several television productions including the finale of Homeland Season 4 and featured in more than 30 international adverts. After having won Best Actor at Cape Town's 48 Hour Film Festival in 2013 and 2015, it's clear the man has talent and seems like only a matter of time before Scot gets the big break he deserves. We got a chance to find out, which movies have made an impact on him...

"Well Howard Stern played himself in his biopic..."

I can't watch movies without...

- A cup of tea and chocolate when at home. And when at the cinema: popcorn and a bottle of water. And being fully awake of course!

Which famous people share your birthday?

- I’m proud to say my favourite actress Meryl Streep! (22 June)

What is the first film you remember watching?

- I’m not sure… but I do remember watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with my parents at my first and only time at a drive in when I was about 6 years old.

What's the worst movie you've ever seen?

- Besides one that I was in a few years ago, which I won’t mention, I’ve seen quite a few… and with Jaws as an exception, they often seem to include a shark, or have the word ‘shark’ in the title.

Which movies have made you tearful?

- Message in a Bottle, E.T., Phenomenon and the wonderful Oscar-nominated South African film Yesterday. Those movies sure did their job at the right moment.

Who is the most famous movie star you've ever met?

- Well, I spoke to Colin Farrell on the phone. A buddy of mine called me at 3am, and woke me out of a dead sleep and said "Scot someone wants to say hello". They were at an after party.

I met Kevin Spacey after a play he did in London. I mentioned to him that I was pursuing acting as a career, and I’ll never forget his words as I walked away… "Scot, good luck to you."

What's your favourite movie line?

- “Pardon me for being rude, it was not me it was my food, it just popped up to say hello, and now it’s gone back down below.” ~ Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Who would you choose to play you in your biopic?

- Well Howard Stern played himself in his biopic, so… just kidding! There are so many talented actors, and not just the famous ones. So it's a difficult one to pick. Idris Elba?

If you could produce a movie, what would it be about?

- I guess maybe an epic South African western set in the Karoo. But at the heart of the story showing that the hardest heart can soften. Really emphasising that anything is possible, there is always hope.

Finally, your top ten movies of all-time...

- Braveheart ...I've seen it over 20 times. This movie has everything!

- Hook ...memories of watching this magical film in 1991 have never left me.

- The Shawshank Redemption ...this film is perfect.

- Pulp Fiction ...it’s just so damn good, from the dialogue to the soundtrack!

- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery ...it’s one groovy movie baby.

- How the West Was Won ...all those classic westerns rolled into one. Love westerns!

- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ...I don’t go a year without watching this Christmas gem.

- American Beauty ...what a beauty. This wouldn’t be the movie it is without Alan Ball’s brilliant screenplay. And everything else in this film is absolutely brilliant as well.

- Raising Arizona ...I’m a Coen brothers fan. This is the first one of theirs I saw and I still really dig it. A lot!

- Closer ...this movie is adult, engaging, and relatable. It is superb. The opening to the sound of The Blower’s Daughter hooks me every time…

And the list goes on… There Will Be Blood, On the Waterfront, Spaceballs, Walk The Line, Noises Off, Edward Scissorhands, Clue, The Life Aquatic, Gladiator, The Cable Guy, The Beach, O Brother Where Art Thou?, Dances With Wolves and many more.

Top Ten Movies with... is a people series on SPL!NG, featuring a host of celebrities ranging from up-and-coming to established personalities from all industries including, but not limited to: Internet, Radio, TV, Film, Music, Art and Entrepreneurs. It's a chance to discover who they are, find out where they're at and to get a fun inside look at their taste in movies.