Roy Harwood Billing (born 1947) is a New Zealand television actor. Now based on Waiheke Island, he was brought up in Ruawai, Northland. Billing spent almost three decades living and working in Australia. He became widely known for his role as organised-crime boss "Aussie Bob" Trimbole in the TV series Underbelly.
Career In 1965, Billing formed a psychedelic rock band called the Ministry of Fog. After a short period at university doing a science degree, he dropped out and had a job at Inland Revenue. After three years he moved into advertising, joining Auckland agencies Jacka Brown and later, McCann Erickson. He said that "For a long time, I was stuck in accounts when I really wanted to be in creative."
After hobby stints in amateur theatre and Theatre Corporate, founding director Raymond Hawthorne offered him a job with a state theatre program, Theatre in Education, working with high schools throughout the North Island. Billing left advertising to take up the less lucrative new role at the age of 30. It was the beginning of his life as an actor. He aid "Looking back now, I don’t know how I managed it. Theatre in Education was actually quite a hard job. We travelled around the country going to schools and trying to engage students in the concepts of drama, and of course they didn’t want to know about it."
Billing has starred in many television shows and had main roles on Bad Cop, Bad Cop, Dossa and Joe and Hell Has Harbour Views. Billing also had a recurring role on Blue Heelers, as Senior Constable Ian Goss on Always Greener, as Eddie McGill on Packed to the Rafters as Ron Barrett and on Under the Mountain. In 2000 he featured in the film The Dish, a comedy about the Moon landings, portraying the mayor of Parkes. He also appeared as part of the ensemble on the 2006 season of Thank God You're Here. He had a guest role on All Saints.
From 2012, Billing played Harry Strang in the Jack Irish television drama series and television movies adapted from the detective novels by Peter Temple.
In 2009, Billing played Griffith drug lord Robert "Aussie Bob" Trimbole in the high-rating drama series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities, starring alongside Matthew Newton. He also starred in the film Charlie and Boots. He played the part of Chief Dufflepud in the 2010 film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader as well as a recurring character in the Nine Network police drama Cops L.A.C..
He started acting with Theatre Corporate, Auckland, in the late 1970s. Early roles in New Zealand were in Sea Urchins a 1980-84 TV series, the 1982 films The Scarecrow and Beyond Reasonable Doubt, the 1985 film Came a Hot Friday, and as Captain Gordon Vette in the 1988 miniseries Erebus: The Aftermath.
In 2013, he appeared in the New Zealand television comedy Agent Anna, for which he agreed to be paid at New Zealand rates.
In 2020, Billing starred in the Australian comedy-drama film Never Too Late.Maddox, Garry (16 April 2019) Life is still busy over 70 for stars of new 'triumph over ageing' film, The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
Billing returned to New Zealand to live in late 2019.
In 2023, Billing was announced for the ABC series Austin. On 22 June 2025, Billing was named in the cast for Paramount Plus series Two Years Later.
Awards
In 1999, Billing was nominated in the 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' award at the AFI Awards for his role in Siam Sunset. In 2009, Billing won the 'Best Actor in a Television Drama' award at the AFI Awards, and was nominated for the 'Outstanding Actor' award at the 2010 Logies for his role in Underbelly.
Billing's career achievements were honoured in 2009 when he was inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame.
On 26 January 2015, Billing was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for "service to the performing arts, particularly as an actor, and to the community".
In 2015, Billing became the first person to be honoured with a star on Winton's Walk of Fame which was revealed during The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival in Winton, Queensland.
Charity work Billing is a national ambassador for the cancer charity Dry July and has supported the charity for over 4 years.
Filmography
Film YearFilmRoleNotes 2025 Kangaroo Murray 2024 The Nut Farm Mitch 2024 Myall Creek: Day of Justice Judge Barton 2023 Love Is in the Air Jeff Randall Feature film 2022 Nude Tuesday Aldo Feature film 2020 Never Too Late James Wendell Feature film 2018 Beast No More Gus Feature film The Confession Dr. John Sounitis Short film (unreleased) Shooter Frank Short film Occupation Town Mayor Feature film 2017 Shot Clock Crime Boss Short film 2016 Roy Roy / Searle Short film2015 The Gap Don Ritchie Short film Manny Lewis Lyle Feature film Crumble Father Short film2014 Tits on a Bull Rusty Short film A Lady & a Robot Lord Julian Stanley Short film2013 The Hatinator Paul Short film (unreleased) Autism Dr. Taylor Short film Fairytruth Pops Short film The Streak Uncle Nev Short film Mystery Road Robbo, Weapon Shop Owner Feature film 2011 Swerve Good Samaritan Feature film A Heartbeat Away George Feature film (musical) 2010 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Chief Dufflepud Feature film 2009 Benefit Father Short film Boys on Film 1: Hard Love Joe / Jana (segment: "Mirror Mirror") Charlie & Boots Roly Feature film Boundless Dad Short film Dear Diary Arthur Short film2008 $9.99 Marcus Portman / Policeman #1 (voice) Stop motion animated adult feature film Mirror Mirror Joe / Jana Short film2007 Boys Own Story Uncle Charlie Short film Unfinished Sky Royce Feature film The Rose of Ba Ziz The Great Whiz Short film Spike Up Steve Barker Short film Razzle Dazzle Arthur Rudd Mockumentary feature film2006 The Bet George Feature film Aquamarine Grandpa Bob Feature film 2004 Thunderstruck Tiny Feature film Strange Bedfellows Fred Coulson Feature film 2002 Black and White Detective Sergeant Turner Feature film Rabbit-Proof Fence Police Inspector Feature film 2000 The Magic Pudding Tom Bluegum (voice) Animated feature film The Dish Mayor Robert 'Bob' McIntyre Feature film 1999 Erskineville Kings Ticket Officer Feature film Passion John Perring Jnr Feature film Siam Sunset Bill Leach Feature film 1998 A Little Bit of Soul Judge Feature film 1997 Thank God He Met Lizzie Ron Feature film Doing Time for Patsy Cline Dad Feature film 1996 Freestyle DS Grieve Short film Children of the Revolution Police Sergeant Feature film 1995 Swerve Businessman Short film1994 The Roly Poly Man Sidebottom Feature film Dallas Doll Dave Harry Feature film1991 Gotcha Fish Shop Owner Short film Old Scores Frank O'Riordan TV film 1989 Zilch! Gary Hyde Feature film 1986 Queen City Rocker Stacy's Father Feature film 1985 Came a Hot Friday Darkie Benson Feature film 1984 Other Halves Harry Daniels Feature film 1983 Strata Keith Savage Islands Auctioneer Feature film 1982 Klynham Summer (aka The Scarecrow) Mr. Potroz Feature film Beyond Reasonable Doubt Court Official Feature film
Television YearFilmRoleOther notes1978 The Park Terrace Murder Father Chevier TV film1980 Mortimer's Patch Ron Bailey TV series, 1 episode Sea Urchins Sharky TV movie 1981 Under the Mountain Wilberforce Family member (disguised slug monster) TV series, 5 episodes 1982 Loose Enz Thurston TV series, 1 episode 1983 An Age Apart Passenger TV series, 1 episode 1984 Inside Straight George McLean TV series, 9 episodes Iris (aka Out of Time)) John Wilkinson TV movie Children of the Dog Star Donald Kierney TV miniseries, 6 episodes 1984–85 Gliding On Perce TV series, 1 episode 1985 The Adventures of Terry Teo Shaddock TV series, 4 episodes 1988 Erebus: The Aftermath Captain Gordon Vette TV miniseries, 4 episodes 1988 Porters Harry Lewis TV series, 6 episodes 1991 Raider of the South Seas Ted Grundy TV series1991 Hampton Court Mr. Colloudos TV series, 13 episodes Police Rescue Myer TV series, 1 episode 1992 A Country Practice James Deeko TV series, 1 episode G.P. Bob Otranto TV series, 1 episode Hey Dad..! Dr. MacLean TV series, 1 episode 1993 Time Trax Mr. Miller TV series, 1 episode Minder DS Davis TV series, 1 episode 1994 Coverstory Detective Inspector Clark TV series, 1 episode Over the Hill Short Bob TV series, 1 episode 1995 Mission Top Secret Superintendent Burke / Burke TV series, 3 episodes 1996 Home and Away John Clinton TV series, 3 episodes 1997 Big Sky Bob the Bookie / Barman TV series, 1 episode Water Rats Stan TV series, 1 episode 1998 Wildside Kennedy TV series, 2 episodes Murder Call Harry Polding TV series, Seaaon 2, episode 6: Cold Comfort 1998–2008 All Saints Barry Croft (1998) / Murray Blackwood (2004) / Darryl Hornby (2008) TV series, 5 episodes 1999 Dog's Head Bay Franco Poreini TV series, 3 episodes 2000 Variety Show at the End of the World War TV series, 1 episode 2001 When Good Ghouls Go Bad Mayor Bob Churney TV movie 2001–06 Blue Heelers Senior Constable Ian Goss TV series, 5 episodes 2002 Bad Cop, Bad Cop Assistant Commissioner 'Pud' Tugwell TV series, 2 episodes Dossa and Joe Charlie TV series, 1 episode 2002–03 Always Greener Eddie McGill TV series, 4 episodes Don't Blame the Koalas Principal TV series, 13 episodes 2003 Fat Cow Motel Bill Butler TV series, 13 episodes The Strip Douglas Collins TV series, 8 episodes Skin & Bone Tupper TV movie2005 The Secret Life of Us Frank TV series, 1 episode Small Claims: White Wedding Ron Duffy TV movie A Very Barry Christmas Barry Buckley (voice) TV movie Hell Has Harbour Views Kevin Fields TV movie 2006 Headland Col TV series, 5 episodes Two Twisted Barber TV series, 1 episode Thank God You're Here part of ensemble Cast TV series, 1 episode 2007 Jackie Jackie Mr. Chuck TV movie Valentine's Day Kevin Flynn TV movie2008 Packed to the Rafters Ron Barrett TV series, 3 episodes Out of the Blue Mr Holt TV series, 1 episode 2009 Underbelly Aussie Bob Trimbole TV series, 13 episodes Chandon Pictures Celebrant TV series, 1 episode 2010 Cops L.A.C. Senior Sergeant Graeme Sinclair TV series, 13 episodes 2010–18 Rake Senate President / Judge Jordan TV series, 8 episodes 2011 Underbelly Files: Infiltration Aussie Bob Trimbole TV movie2012 Micro Nation Narrator TV series, 1 episode Jack Irish: Bad Debts Harry Strang TV movie Jack Irish: Black Tide Harry Strang TV movie Hounds David TV series, 1 episode 2013 Cliffy Wally TV movie The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting Special Guest TV miniseries, 1 episode 2013–14 Agent Anna Clinton Walker TV series, 16 episodes Wonderland Peter Varvaris TV series, 4 episodes2014 It's a Date Graham TV series, 1 episode Jack Irish: Dead Point Harry Strang TV movie2016 Dog Squadron Rex (voice) TV short Here Come the Habibs! Alan TV series, 1 episode 2016–21 Jack Irish Harry Strang TV series, 16 episodes2017 Sisters Ron TV series, 7 episodes House of Bond Doozer Hughes TV miniseries, 2 episodes House Husbands Bernie TV series, 1 episode 2018 Pilot Week Davis TV series, 1 episode 2019 Blue Water Empire TV docu-drama miniseries 2021 The Panthers Robert Muldoon TV series, 6 episodes 2022 The Brokenwood Mysteries Dan Holland TV series, 1 episode 2022 My Life is Murder Murray TV series, 1 episode 2024-present Austin Bill Hogan TV series: 8 episodes2024A Remarkable Place to DieMartyn1 episode2026Two Years LaterMorganTV series
References
External links
Roy Billing at NZ On Screen Courting With Justice documentary Interview from New Zealand Listener of 2 August 2003, pages 12-13 Photo of Roy Billing (right) in Underbelly Roy Billing - Actor Profile