| David Wenham | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 September 1965 Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia
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| Occupation | Actor |
David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in movies, television series and theatre productions. He is best known outside of Australia for his roles as Faramir in the The Lord of the Rings trilogy, "Van Helsing" and Dilios in 300. He is best known inside Australia for his role as Diver Dan in SeaChange.
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Biography
Early life
Wenham was born in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, the son of Kath and Bill Wenham. He has five older sisters, Maree, Kathy, Helen, Carmel and Anne, and an older brother, Peter. Wenham was raised in the Catholic religion and attended Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham.[1][2][3] He worked as a bingo caller and an insurance clerk before becoming successful as an actor.
Career
Wenham's television credits include several telemovies, such as his AFI award winning role in the 1996 telemovie 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 highly successful ABC television series SeaChange. His role as "Diver Dan" has made the actor something of a sex symbol, although he dislikes thinking of himself as such,[4] and he has been voted Australia's "sexiest man alive". A portrait of Wenham by artist Adam Cullen won the Archibald Prize in 2000. In film, Wenham seems to have been more successful in Australia than abroad. Australian films Wenham has starred in include the critically acclaimed The Boys (1998) based on the play of the same name premiered at Griffin Theatre Company and in turn based on the Anita Cobby murder; Molokai (1999), based on the life of Father Damien; The Bank (2001); Gettin' Square (2003) and Three Dollars (2005). Wenham has periodically appeared in Hollywood films. The film role for which he is most known for worldwide is the fictional character Faramir, son of Denethor, in New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Wenham jokes that he was cast in The Lord of the Rings because of his resemblance to his on-screen brother, Sean Bean. As he notes, they both have big noses. Has appeared with two of 2001's Best Supporting Actor Nominees. That year's winner was Jim Broadbent, with whom he appeared in Moulin Rouge. The other was Ian McKellen, who reprised his Oscar-nominated role opposite Wenham in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He was also seen in Van Helsing playing Hugh Jackman's sidekick, Friar Carl. His character, Dilios, narrated and appeared in the movie 300. Minor roles of Wenham's in overseas films include in The Crocodile Hunter as a park ranger, and briefly in Moulin Rouge! as Audrey. Wenham stars in the music video for Alex Lloyd's single "Brand New Day". In both Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and 300, Wenham's character is the sole survivor returned from an ill-fated battle (the Battle at Osgiliath and the Battle of Thermopylae, respectively).
Personal life
He has one daughter, Eliza Jane, with his longtime girlfriend, Kate Agnew. His nickname, "Daisy", originates from his childhood. Wenham read a poem by Rupert McCall at the memorial service for naturalist Steve Irwin. The poem was entitled "The Crocodiles are Crying". In 1999, he presented the Village Roadshow Pictures Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.
Filmography
- Australia (2008) .... Neil Fletcher
- The Children of Huang Shi (2007)
- Married Life (2007) (post-production)
- 300 (2007) .... Dilios
- Answered by Fire (2006) (mini) TV Series .... Mark Waldman
- The Proposition (2005) .... Eden Fletcher
- Three Dollars (2005) .... Eddie Harnovey
- The Brush-Off (2004) (TV) .... Murray Whelan
- Stiff (2004) (TV) .... Murray Whelan
- Van Helsing (2004) .... Carl
- Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004) (V) (voice) .... Carl
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) .... Faramir
- Basilisk Stare (2003) .... Dave
- Gettin' Square (2003) .... Johnny Spitieri
- After the Deluge (2003) (mini) TV Series .... Alex Kirby
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) .... Faramir
- Pure (2002) .... Lenny
- The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002) .... Sam Flynn
- Dust (2001/I) .... Luke
- The Bank (2001) .... Jim Doyle
- Moulin Rouge! (2001) .... Audrey
- Russian Doll (2001) .... Ethan
- Better Than Sex (2000) .... Josh
- Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999) .... Father Damien
- SeaChange (1998) TV Series .... Daniel 'Diver Dan' Della Bosca (1998-1999)
- A Little Bit of Soul (1998) .... Dr. Richard Shorkinghorn
- Dark City (1998) .... Schreber's Assistant
- The Boys (1998) .... Brett Sprague
- Simone de Beauvoir's Babies (1997) (mini) TV Series .... Ian
- Return to Jupiter (1997) TV Series .... Dr. Chrobak
- Idiot Box (1996) .... Bank Teller with a History
- Cosi (1996) .... Doug
- Twisted Tales
- Roses Are Red (1995) .... Brian
- One of Us (1995) .... Luke Potter
- Escape from Jupiter (1994)... Dr Chrobak
- No Escape (1994) .... Hotel Guard #2
- Tran the Man (1994) .... Raymond "Tran" Moss
- Gino (1994) .... Trevor
- Heartland (1994) (mini) TV Series .... Warwick Bone
- A Country Practice
- Seeing Red (1992) .... Frank No 2
- Greenkeeping (1992) .... Trevor
- Police Rescue
- Come in Spinner (1990) (TV) .... Australian Soldier
- The Heroes (1988) (TV) .... Horrie Young
- Poor Man's Orange (1987) (mini) TV Series .... Party Youth
- Jack Simpson: A Willesee Documentary (1987) (TV) (uncredited) .... Wounded soldier
- Sons and Daughters
Awards & nominations
- Australian Film Institute Awards (Television): Best Lead Actor for Answered by Fire (2006)[5]
- Australian Film Institute Awards (Television): Best Lead Actor for Simone de Beauvoir's Babies (1997)
- 2003 Green Room Award nominee for his work in an Australian stage production of "True West".
References
- ^ http://tv.yahoo.com/david-wenham/contributor/30658/bio/
- ^ http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/04/1064988451476.html
- ^ http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/02/jun/30/13.html
- ^ Melissa Field. "The star of David", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-04-01.
- ^ Australian Film Institute, Past Winners, Television 1986-2006[1]
External links
