HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in film, television and theatre. He is known for his roles as Faramir in ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy, Friar Carl in '' Van Helsing'', Dilios in '' 300'' and its sequel '' 300: Rise of an Empire'', Al Parker in '' Top of the Lake'', Lieutenant John Scarfield in '' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales'', and Hank Snow in '' Elvis''. He is known in his native Australia for his role as Diver Dan in '' SeaChange'' and Price Galese in ''
Les Norton Les Norton is the protagonist in a series of fiction books written by Australian author Robert G. Barrett. Character A likeable and laconic Aussie battler, Norton first appears in ''You Wouldn't Be Dead For Quids'' (1984) and is described as st ...
''.


Early life

Wenham was born on 21 September 1965 in
Marrickville, New South Wales Marrickville is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marrickville is located south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the largest suburb in the Inner West Council local government ...
, the son of Kath and Bill Wenham. He has five older sisters; Helen, Anne, Carmel, Kathryn, and Maree; and one older brother, Peter. He was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and attended Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham, Sydney.


Career

Wenham started his career as an actor after graduating from Theatre Nepean at the
University of Western Sydney Western Sydney University, formerly the University of Western Sydney, is an Australian multi-campus university in the Greater Western region of Sydney, Australia. The university in its current form was founded in 1989 as a federated network ...
with a
Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four yea ...
(Performing Arts) in 1987. Wenham's television credits include several telefilms, such as his AFI award-winning role in 1997's '' Simone de Beauvoir's Babies''; and his role as the outwardly laid back but deeply enigmatic diver Dan Della Bosca in the 1998 and 1999 seasons of the ABC television series '' SeaChange''. His role as "Diver Dan" has made the actor something of a
sex symbol A sex symbol or icon is a person or character widely considered sexually attractive. Pam Cook, "The trouble with sex: Diana Dors and the Blonde bombshell phenomenon", In: Bruce Babinigton (ed.), ''British Stars and Stardom: From Alma Taylor t ...
, although he dislikes thinking of himself as such, and he has been voted Australia's "sexiest man alive". A portrait of Wenham by artist Adam Cullen won the
Archibald Prize The Archibald Prize is an Australian portraiture art prize for painting, generally seen as the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after the receipt of a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor ...
in 2000. Australian films Wenham has starred in include '' The Boys'' (1998) based on the play of the same name premiered at
Griffin Theatre Company Griffin Theatre Company is an Australian theatre specialising in new works, based in Sydney. Founded in 1979, it is the resident theatre company at the SBW Stables Theatre in Kings Cross. the artistic director is Declan Green. Artistic direc ...
and in turn based on the murder of Anita Cobby; ''
Molokai Molokai , or Molokai (), is the fifth most populated of the eight major islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km) at its greatest length and width with a us ...
'' (1999), based on the life of
Father Damien Father Damien or Saint Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Saint Damien De Veuster ( nl, Pater Damiaan or '; 3 January 1840 – 15 April 1889), born Jozef De Veuster, was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sac ...
; '' The Bank'' (2001); ''
Gettin' Square ''Gettin' Square'' is a 2003 crime caper movie set on Australia's Gold Coast and directed by Jonathan Teplitzky. The protagonists are ex-criminals trying to keep out of trouble. ''Gettin' Square'' won nominations at several Australian ceremoni ...
'' (2003); ''Stiff'' (2004); ''
The Brush-Off ''The Brush-Off'' is a 1996 Australian, Ned Kelly Awards-winning crime thriller, written by Shane Maloney. It is the second novel in a series of crime thrillers following the character of Murray Whelan, as he investigates crimes in the Melbourne ...
'' (2004) and '' Three Dollars'' (2005). Wenham has periodically appeared in Hollywood films; he is known for playing Faramir, son of Denethor II, in New Line Cinema's '' The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' and '' The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King''. He was seen in '' Van Helsing'' playing
Hugh Jackman Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor. Beginning in theatre and television, he landed his breakthrough role as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine in the 20th Century Fox ''X-Men'' film series (2000–2017), a role ...
's sidekick, Friar Carl. His character, Dilios, narrated and appeared in the 2007 film ''300''. He reprises his role of Dilios in both the 2014 sequel, '' 300: Rise of an Empire'' and the video game, '' 300: March to Glory'' for Sony PlayStation Portable, which contains a substantial amount of new dialogue. Minor roles of Wenham's in overseas films include in ''
The Crocodile Hunter ''The Crocodile Hunter'' was a wildlife documentary television series hosted by Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri. The show became a popular franchise due to Irwin's unconventional approach to wildlife. It spawned a number of separate projects ...
'' as a park ranger, and briefly in ''
Moulin Rouge! ''Moulin Rouge!'' (, ) is a 2001 jukebox musical romantic drama film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. It follows a young English poet, Christian, who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress and co ...
'' as Audrey. Wenham stars in the music video for
Alex Lloyd Alex Lloyd (born 19 November 1974) is an Australian singer-songwriter. Four of his albums, '' Black the Sun'', '' Watching Angels Mend'', '' Distant Light'' and '' Alex Lloyd'', released between 1999 and 2005, made the top ten on the ARIA char ...
's single " Brand New Day". In 2008's ''Australia'', he reunited with Hugh Jackman playing antagonist Neil Fletcher. In 2009, he appeared in '' Public Enemies'' as one of
John Dillinger John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He led the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing 24 banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times an ...
's men. He also returned to the stage, this time as the lead actor, Jerry Springer, in the British musical '' Jerry Springer: The Opera''. During its 6-day run at the
Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architec ...
he played in sold-out performances alongside ARIA award-winning singer Kate Miller-Heidke. In 2010, he played the character 'Len' in the Australian drama film '' Oranges and Sunshine''. Also in 2010, Wenham starred as the disgraced Melbourne lawyer Andrew Fraser in the Australian television series '' Killing Time''. This ten-part series shows Fraser's fall from grace as he defends many Melbourne criminals during the 1980s and 1990s. It was shown on TV1 in late 2011. Wenham plays New Zealand detective Al Parker alongside Elisabeth Moss in the 2013 BBC series '' Top of the Lake''. In 2013, Wenham returned to the stage to play the lead role of John Proctor, in the
Melbourne Theatre Company The Melbourne Theatre Company is a theatre company based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1953 as the Union Theatre Repertory Company at the Union Theatre at the University of Melbourne, it is the oldest professional theatre com ...
's mid-year production of
Arthur Miller Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 – February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and screenwriter in the 20th-century American theater. Among his most popular plays are ''All My Sons'' (1947), '' Death of a Salesman'' (1 ...
's '' The Crucible''. In 2014, Wenham starred as Patrick Jones in '' Paper Planes'', released on 15 January 2015. That same year, Wenham voiced the role Jacko a frilled-neck lizard, in '' Blinky Bill the Movie''. In 2016, Wenham played the role of John, the adoptive father of
Saroo Brierley Saroo Brierley (born ) is an Indian-born Australian businessman and author who, at the age of five, was accidentally separated from his biological family. He was adopted out of India by an Australian couple but was reunited with his biological ...
in ''
Lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus '' Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adu ...
''. Wenham played the role of the villain
Harold Meachum Harold "Harry" Meachum is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted as a sinister businessman, primarily a foe of Iron Fist. In his original appearances in comics, he is depicted ...
in the
Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a ...
original television series '' Iron Fist'', which premiered in March 2017. In 2018, Wenham plays the voice of Johnny Town-Mouse in '' Peter Rabbit'', a role he reprised in the 2021 sequel '' Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway''. In 2020, it was announced that Wenham was cast as Jasper Queller in the upcoming
Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a ...
thriller series ''
Pieces of Her ''Pieces of Her'' is a thriller novel by American author Karin Slaughter, published on August 21, 2018 by William Morrow and Company and HarperCollins Publishers.Karin Slaughter novel of the same name. In 2022, Wenham returned to work with director Baz Luhrmann again to play the role of country singer Hank Snow in the biographical film '' Elvis''.


Personal life

Wenham has two daughters with his longtime partner, Kate Agnew. He read a poem by Rupert McCall at the memorial service for Steve Irwin. The poem was entitled "The Crocodiles are Crying". Wenham is a
Sydney Swans The Sydney Swans are a professional Australian rules football club based in Sydney, New South Wales. The men's team competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), and the women's team in the AFL Women's (AFLW). The Swans also field a rese ...
supporter.


Filmography


Film


Television


Video games


Awards and nominations

*
Australian Film Institute Award for Best Lead Actor in Television Drama Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...
for '' Simone de Beauvoir's Babies'' (1997) – winner *Australian Film Institute Award for Best Lead Actor in Television Drama for ''
Answered by Fire ''Answered by Fire'' is a two-part television film based on the 1999 conflicts in East Timor that led to its independence in 2002. The film is based on "Dancing with the Devil: A Personal Account of Policing the East Timor Vote for Independence ...
'' (2006) – winner *
Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor The following is a list of Saturn Award winners and nominees for Best Supporting Actor (in a film). Burgess Meredith, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are the only actors that have won the award twice, while only Javier Bardem and Heath Ledger ha ...
for '' 300'' (2007) - nominated


References


External links

*
Urban Cinefile
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wenham, David 1965 births Living people 20th-century Australian male actors 21st-century Australian male actors AACTA Award winners Australian male film actors Australian male soap opera actors Australian male stage actors Australian male television actors Australian male voice actors Male actors from Sydney Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners People from Marrickville Western Sydney University alumni Blinky Bill