Gary Waddell (born August 7,1952) is an Australian film and television actor.
Career Waddell appeared in the 1975 drama film Pure Shit, receiving an AFI Award for his portrayal of Lou, a drug addict. The film was initially banned, but was subsequently released with an "R" rating, provided the title was changed from Pure Shit to Pure S.
He also appeared alongside Bruce Spence in 1976 cult film Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie, playing the part of the cowardly biker (The Lion). The film was an Australian reimagining of classic tale The Wizard of Oz, marketed towards a mid-1970s youth audience.
The following year, Waddell had a role in The FJ Holden (1977) with Sigrid Thornton. Further film credits from this era include 1978 film In Search of Anna, with Chris Haywood and Bill Hunter, and 1980 prison drama Stir (1980), opposite Bryan Brown and Max Phipps.
Waddell later had a role in 2000 crime film Chopper, where he played Kevin Darcy opposite Eric Bana in his award-winning portrayal of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read. His subsequent film credits include Dirty Deeds (2002) with Bryan Brown, Gettin' Square (2003) alongside Sam Worthington and David Wenham. and 2002 political drama Black and White with Colin Friels, Charles Dance and Robert Carlyle.
In 2002, Waddell was nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama, for his role as Steve McClure in an episode of Bad Cop, Bad Cop. He was later nominated for the 2012 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for portraying the neighbour from hell in Rolf de Heer’s 2012 comedy drama film The King is Dead!. The following year, he featured in the film Charlie's Country, as Gaz.
In 2014, Waddell appeared opposite Bryan Brown and Sam Neill in the eight-part drama series Old School.
Waddell more recently had a role in 2022 psychological crime thriller The Stranger opposite Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.
Personal life Waddell's partner is Lou Morris, with whom he has a daughter. The couple moved to Bangalow from Sydney in 2013, after their daughter completed her university studies and moved out of home.
Awards Year Work Award Category Result Ref. 1975 Pure Shit AFI Award 2002 Bad Cop, Bad Cop (Episode 8: "Yesterday's Zero") Australian Film Institute Award Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama 2012 The King is Dead! AACTA Award AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 2013 Australian Film Critics Award (AFCA) Best Supporting Actor
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1977 Bluey Terry Baxter / Davidson 2 episodes 1978 Cop Shop Harry Dunne 1 episode 1983 Scales of Justice Jimmy Miniseries, 1 episode 1986 The Blue Lightning Hennessey TV movie 1987 The Facts of Life Down Under Hugo TV movie 1988 True Believers Miniseries, 2 episodes 1992 E Street Bill O'Reilly 1 episode 1992–1994 G.P. Wayne / Rocco 2 episodes 1993 Seven Deadly Sins Miniseries, 1 episode 1994 Heartland Lennie Miniseries Cody: The Tipoff Mack TV movie 1996–2000 Water Rats Billy Pope / Tom Haxby 3 episodes 1998 Blue Heelers Mike Thompson 1 episode 1998–2004 Stingers Gerry Gallagher / Frank Mornain 2 episodes 2001 SeaChange Foreman 2 episodes All Saints Macca 1 episode 2002 Bad Cop, Bad Cop Steve McClure 2 episodes 2006 Two Twisted Jimmy Kitchen Miniseries, 1 episode 2007 Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback Vince TV movie Chandon Pictures Dean 2 episodes 2007–2009 Home and Away Terry Mitchell 4 episodes 2008 Scorched Nick TV movie Infamous Victory: Ben Chifley’s Battle for Coal Union Leader TV movie 2009 A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne Mick Bruvette TV movie 2010–2016 Rake Epis / Harley 3 episodes 2011 City Homicide Bruno Lilley 1 episode Killing Time Anthony Farrell 1 episode 2014 Old School Ken 1 episode Lessons from the Grave Barry Brown Season 1, 1 episode 2020 Upright Weary 1 episode
Films Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1975 Pure Shit Lou 1976 Oz Guitarist / Bikie 1977 The FJ Holden Deadlegs Blue Fire Lady Charlie 1978 In Search of Anna Maxie 1980 Stir Dave 1982 Heatwave Florist messenger The Highest Honor Cpl. R.B. Fletcher Monkey Grip Actor 3 1988 Grievous Bodily Harm Eddie Weaks Breaking Loose Cop 1989 Tripe Sonny Jim Short film The Killing of Angelo Tsakos Short film 1991 Sweet Talker Bluey 1992 Prey of the Chameleon Newscaster 1993 Shotgun Wedding Nighclub spruiker 1996 Dr. Ice Newscaster 1997 Heaven's Burning Motel Manager Maslin Beach Ben 1999 Freeze Short film 2000 Chopper Kevin Darcy 2002 Black and White Constable Jones Dirty Deeds Freddie 2003 Gettin' Square Dennis Obst Lennie Cahill Shoots Through Terry 2005 Man-Thing Cajun Pilot The Proposition Officer Davenport Trapped Smith Short film 2007 Almost Charlie 2008 Shot Open Short film Night Train Short film 2010 Kissing Point Frank Booth Short film 2012 The King is Dead! King 2013 Charlie's Country Gaz 2014 Blood Pulls a Gun Jethro Hyam Short film Butcherbird Handsome Short film 2016 The Tail Job The Wharfie 2022 The Stranger WA Head The Survival of Kindness Sick Man
Theatre Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1974 The Sports Show / The Migrant Show / The Owl and the Pussycat Show Melbourne with APG 1977 Sadie and Neco La Mama, Melbourne Laughing Bantam: Revival 1981 Teeth 'n' Smiles Inch Nimrod Theatre, Sydney 1996 Terminus Red Shed Theatre, Adelaide 2000 The Marriage of Figaro Sydney Opera House with Company B Belvoir
References
External links
Biographical cuttings on Gary Waddell, actor, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals held at the National Library of Australia