Australian movie stars born in 1961
Here are 13 famous actors from Australia were born in 1961:
William McInnes
William McInnes (September 10, 1961 Redcliffe-) otherwise known as Rock Hampton is an Australian actor and writer. He has two children, Clem McInnes and Stella McInnes.
Born in Queensland, McInnes first rose to prominence in the Australian television industry in the 1980s. He appeared in popular shows such as "A Country Practice" and "Blue Heelers". In the late 1990s, he transitioned to film and gained critical acclaim for his roles in "Look Both Ways" and "The Beautiful Kate".
In addition to his acting career, McInnes has also written several books. He published his first memoir, "A Man's Got To Have A Hobby", in 2005, which became a best-seller. He has since published several other memoirs and novels, including "That'd Be Right", "The Laughing Clowns", and "Holidays".
McInnes is also known for his work as a narrator and voice actor. He has lent his voice to numerous documentary and television programs, including the award-winning documentary series "McLeod's Daughters".
Throughout his career, McInnes has been recognized with several awards for his contributions to the arts industry in Australia. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 and was inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame in 2017.
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Neil Pigot
Neil Pigot (December 28, 1961 Melbourne-) a.k.a. Neil Piggot is an Australian actor.
Neil Pigot is an accomplished Australian actor who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. He was born in Melbourne in 1961, and he started his career in the arts as a musician, playing in various bands. He later transitioned to acting, and he has since appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and theatre productions.
Pigot is best known for his roles in Australian TV dramas such as "Police Rescue", "Stingers", and "Janus". He has also made appearances in international films such as "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" and "Siam Sunset". Pigot has received critical acclaim for his acting, and his performances have been described as nuanced and powerful.
Apart from his acting career, Pigot is also a writer and director. He has directed and produced several short films and stage productions, including "My Brother Jack" and "Sudden Rain". Pigot is a multi-talented artist who continues to inspire and motivate others in the industry.
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Simon Burke
Simon Burke (October 8, 1961-) also known as Simon Bourke is an Australian actor.
Born in New South Wales, Simon Burke began his acting career at the age of 13, appearing in the Australian film "The Devil's Playground". He went on to work in Australian film, television and theatre, but gained international recognition in the 1990s when he starred in the film "Les Miserables" and the TV series "Mercury".
In addition to his acting career, Burke has worked as a television presenter and is known for his work as the host of the Logie Awards (the Australian television industry awards) in 1998 and 2003. He has also been involved in various philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, including working with World Vision and serving on the board of the Sydney Theatre Company.
Burke has won numerous awards for his acting, including two Helpmann Awards (Australia's live entertainment awards). He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for his contributions to the arts and charity work.
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Mikey Robins
Mikey Robins (December 8, 1961 Newcastle-) also known as Mikel Mason "Mikey" Robins, Mikel Mason Robins or Mikey Robbins is an Australian comedian, actor, screenwriter, writer and media personality.
Robins began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and quickly gained popularity in the Australian comedy scene. He is best known for his work on the comedy panel show, Good News Week, which aired from 1996 to 2000 and then again from 2008 to 2012.
In addition to his comedy work, Robins is also a prolific writer, having authored several books, including his memoir, "Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong," and the travelogue, "Three Beers and a Chinese Meal." He has also contributed articles to various publications, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, and The Australian.
Robins has also dabbled in acting, with roles in Australian TV series such as "Farscape" and "Pizza." He is a regular guest on radio shows, including the Triple M program, "The Grill Team."
Robins is known for his quick wit, irreverent humor, and love of food and travel. He is considered one of Australia's most beloved media personalities and continues to entertain audiences through his various projects.
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Vince Sorrenti
Vince Sorrenti (March 25, 1961 Sydney-) is an Australian comedian, actor and screenwriter.
He began his career in the early 1980s, performing stand-up comedy in clubs and festivals across Australia. He quickly became known for his sharp wit, observational humor, and ability to improvise on the spot.
In addition to his work as a comedian, Sorrenti has also appeared in numerous TV shows and films. He is perhaps best known for his role as Mario on the hit Australian sitcom "Pizza," which aired from 2000 to 2007. He has also appeared in films such as "Dead Heart" and "Let's Get Skase."
Sorrenti has won several awards for his comedy, including the ARIA Award for Best Comedy Album in 1993 and a Mo Award for Best Stand-Up Comedian.
Despite his success, Sorrenti remains down to earth and actively involved in the Australian comedy scene. He continues to perform live shows and write and produce comedy for TV and film.
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Tom Carroll
Tom Carroll (November 26, 1961 Newport-) a.k.a. Thomas Victor "Tom" Carroll or Thomas Victor Carroll is an Australian actor and surfer.
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential surfers in the sport's history, having won two world championships and being inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame. In addition to his success on the waves, Carroll has also worked as an actor, appearing in several films and TV shows, including "Point Break" and "The Young and the Restless." He has also been a commentator for various surfing competitions and has written a book, "TC: The Tom Carroll Autobiography." Off the water, Carroll is heavily involved in environmental activism, particularly in the fight against plastic pollution in the ocean.
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Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery (March 26, 1961 Sunshine-December 31, 1994 London) was an Australian promoter, model, fashion designer and actor.
He rose to prominence in the club and art scenes of London in the 1980s, known for his outrageous, avant-garde fashion designs and extravagant performances. Bowery's work challenged traditional notions of gender and beauty, often incorporating elements of drag, fetishism, and body modification. He was a muse for many prominent artists and designers, including Lucian Freud and Vivienne Westwood, and legendary nightclub owner Steve Rubell once called him the "Picasso of the 80s." In addition to his contributions to fashion and art, Bowery was also a founding member of the experimental music group Minty and appeared in several films, including "The Tempest" alongside Heath Ledger. Bowery's legacy continues to influence fashion, art, and pop culture today, nearly three decades after his untimely death at age 33 due to complications from AIDS.
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Greg Stone
Greg Stone (June 23, 1961 Perth-) also known as Stone is an Australian actor and singer.
He is best known for his roles in various Australian television series such as "The Sullivans", "A Country Practice", and "Home and Away". Stone began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1980s as a singer, releasing several singles and albums under the name "Gregory John". He later transitioned to acting, taking on roles in various Australian films and television shows. Stone has also had a successful career as a stage actor, performing in many productions in Australia and internationally. Outside of his entertainment career, he is known for his advocacy work for mental health, particularly in the area of suicide prevention.
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Matt Preston
Matt Preston (July 2, 1961 London-) a.k.a. Matthew Preston is an Australian food critic, journalist and actor.
He is best known for his role as a judge on the Australian cooking competition show, MasterChef Australia. Prior to his career in food, Preston worked as a fashion journalist for publications such as The Guardian, The Independent and The Face. He also has a background in acting, having studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and appeared in productions in the UK and Australia. In 2003, he moved to Melbourne, Australia with his family and began working as a food critic for The Age newspaper. He has since become a prominent figure in the Australian food and media industries, and has published several cookbooks including "Cravat-a-Licious" and "Simple Secrets." In addition to his work on MasterChef, Preston has appeared on other Australian cooking shows such as "The Great Australian Bake Off" and "Iron Chef Australia."
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Brian Mannix
Brian Mannix (October 7, 1961 Melbourne-) also known as Mannix is an Australian singer and actor. His children are called Casey Mannix and Max Mannix.
Brian Mannix rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of the Australian pop rock band Uncanny X-Men. The band achieved multiple hit singles such as "Everybody Wants to Work", "50 Years", and "The Party". Following the band's disbandment in 1987, Mannix pursued a solo music career and released two albums, "Ego Tripping" and "Mannix".
Apart from his music career, Mannix also appeared in several Australian television shows and films. He has acted in various productions such as "Neighbours", "Witch Hunt", and "The Flying Doctors". In addition to his music and acting career, Mannix has also worked as a radio presenter and hosted shows such as "The Breakfast Show" on Gold 104.3.
Mannix has been open about his struggles with drug addiction and has written a book about his experiences titled "When I Get My Wheels". He is also involved in various charity works and has supported organizations such as the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
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Stephen Rae
Stephen Rae (November 8, 1961 Sydney-November 27, 2014) also known as Douglas Stephen Rae was an Australian actor, composer, film score composer and musician.
Rae started his career as a musician, playing in several bands before pivoting to acting in the early 1990s. He appeared in a number of Australian TV shows and films, including "Home and Away" and "The Dish". Rae was perhaps best known for his work as a composer, having composed music for films such as "The Tunnel" and "The Dream Children". He was also a respected music teacher, having taught guitar and other instruments to aspiring musicians across Sydney. In addition to his music and acting work, Rae was an advocate for environmental causes and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about climate change. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 53.
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Anthony Warlow
Anthony Warlow (November 18, 1961 Wollongong-) is an Australian actor and opera singer. He has one child, Phoebe Rose Warlow.
Anthony Warlow has been a prominent figure in the Australian entertainment industry for over three decades. He began his career as an opera singer, performing lead roles in productions of "The Magic Flute" and "Don Giovanni." He gained wider recognition with his portrayal of Enjolras in the Australian production of "Les Misérables" in 1988. Over the years, Warlow has become known for his powerful vocal range and his ability to seamlessly transition between musical theatre and opera.
In addition to his stage work, Warlow has also appeared on television and in film. He had a recurring role as a judge on the Australian version of "The Voice" and appeared in the blockbuster film "The Phantom of the Opera" in 2004.
Throughout his career, Warlow has received numerous accolades for his work, including three Helpmann Awards and an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Australian Institute of Music. He has also been recognized for his charity work and was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015.
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Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson (February 28, 1961 Sydney-) is an Australian actor, voice actor and television presenter.
He is best known for his portrayal of Lou Carpenter in the long-running soap opera "Neighbours" from 1994 to 2018. Ferguson has also appeared in numerous other TV shows, including "Blue Heelers," "City Homicide," and "Underbelly." In addition to his acting career, he has worked extensively as a voice actor, lending his voice to various animated series and movies, including "Blinky Bill: The Movie" and "The Wild Adventures of Blinky Bill." Ferguson has received numerous nominations for his work, including several Logie Awards, and has been a presenter for various Australian television programs.
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