Metta Vander, a Dutch South African, grew up without the luxury of television, instead relying on radio programming, childhood books, and weekend trips to the drive-in to spark her passion for movies. The advent of television in South Africa in the mid-1970s brought about a new era of entertainment to her family's living room.
Born to a ballet teacher, Vander made her stage debut at the tender age of four. Her childhood was filled with numerous dance performances, including "Giselle", "Coppelia", "The Student Prince", and "Showboat". She went on to qualify as a ballet teacher herself, solidifying her connection to the world of entertainment.
Vander's educational pursuits led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Psychology. She then landed a plum job as the anchor host for an MTV-like television show in South Africa. Her television career was short-lived, however, as she soon found herself whisked away to Hollywood by a handsome American, Jeff Celentano, whom she married.
Her arrival in Hollywood marked a new chapter in her career, as she transitioned from television host to "dream girl" in over 20 music videos for renowned artists such as Rod Stewart, Amy Grant, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Chris Isaak.
Vander's critically acclaimed stage performance in the original South African play "Soweto's Burning" paved the way for her transition to the big screen. She has since appeared in numerous feature films, collaborating with her husband on "Under the Hula Moon" (1995) and "Gunshy" (1998),and working alongside screen veterans such as Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, and Will Smith in "Wild Wild West" (1999),George Clooney and John Turturro in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000),and John Hurt and Louis Gossett Jr. in "Monolith" (1993).
In addition to her film credits, Vander has also made a name for herself in television, with guest appearances on hit shows such as "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995),"Stargate SG-1" (1997),and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997).
Most recently, Vander returned to the stage, combining her dance and acting background in an extremely successful adaptation of Molière's "The Bourgeois Gentleman" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
