Based: Cape Town
NICO PANAGIO matriculated at Pretoria Boys High School and went on to complete his National Service in the South African Navy. Following his studies in Business Management he completed a Drama course at the Method Actors Training Centre. He soon took to the screens, playing lead roles in various television productions from soaps like 7de Laan, Zone 14 and Erfsondes to the mini series’ Ella Blue and Vallei van Sluiers and most recently a Franz Marx film to be released in theatres around September 2010. He has a great passion for theatre and has played the lead in numerous dramatic as well as comedic roles on stages around the country, from the Pretoria State theatre to the Artscape in Cape Town as well as many art festivals.
He joined SABC 3’s magazine show Top Billing, as a freelance presenter in 2007. Apart from the interesting content and exotic travel, this show has allowed him the pleasure of exploring his passion for the outdoors in various adventures from jumping out of airplanes to cliff climbing in Malta and swimming in shark infested waters. He has also interviewed various international stars such as Kylie Minoque, Charlize Theron, Kelly Clarkson, Paris Hilton, Bryan Adams and many others.
In November of 2009 Nico was asked to host the popular MNET reality series ‘Survivor’ (South Africa) which was filmed on location in Mocambique.
He is a seasoned master of ceremonies, hosting and guest-speaking at various events ranging from corporate launches and award’s evenings to fashion shows, golf days and private occasions. He was the Master of Ceremonies for the Miss South Africa pageant 2006 and performs as MC on a weekly basis. He has also narrated with a backing orchestra at the International Chamber Music Festival in Stellenbosch, led by the esteemed conductor Victor Yampolsky.
Nico has been nominated for and received numerous awards amongst others the Peoples’ Choice nomination for Best Actor and awards for Best Dressed Presenter, Sexiest Man, Kids Choice Favourite Soap Star and One of GQ’s Best Dressed Men.
Of Greek descent, his full name is Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos and although he carries it with pride, for practical reasons, as his public profile he uses the stage name Nico Panagio.
Other than his corporate education and his training as actor, Nico completed various courses including Paramedics, Body Guarding, Anti-Terrorism and Advanced Scuba Diving. He has a brown belt in Karate and has trained as a kick boxer as well as Thai boxer (Muay Thai). To keep in shape he likes to get outside, he’s an avid mountain-biker and also enjoys surfing, hiking, horse-riding and playing golf.
After reading a book titled ‘the Shack’ about child abduction, he was emotionally moved and inspired to join Missing Children SA, a non-profit organisation that facillitates the authorities when a child goes missing. He has been serving as Chairman of the Board since 2008.
He’s had the awesome experience of delivering a new born baby, plays the didgeridoo and the guitar (for his wife and good friends only!) and is very happily married to the girl he met in drama school back in ’98 – actress Christi Panagio.
