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- Actor
- Music Department
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David Gulpilil is a legendary Yolngu actor, a First Nations person of Northern Australia, born around 1953. The local missionaries gave him his birthdate of July 1, 1953, just as they gave him his Christian name David, although he admits he liked that name from the start. His last name, Gulpilil, was a totem, the kingfisher. He'd never seen a white person until he was 8 when he visited the mission school, but he never really allowed them to teach him anything.
In 1969, the British film director Nicolas Roeg, scouting locations in the Outback, appeared at a mission in the north and asked if anyone knew a boy who can throw a spear, who can hunt, and who can dance, and everyone pointed at David.
David's easy smile made him a natural, and it quickly became obvious that he was unlike anyone the white man had met in the outback. He was not reserved or suspicious of strangers, and carried song on his lips and rhythm in his legs. David Gulpilil was fearless.
Looking back over his career, he tells us in the documentary, My Name is Gulpilil (2021), filmed while dying of terminal lung cancer, that he never acted, that acting wasn't something he had to do because it was natural. "I know how to walk across the land in front of a camera, because I belong there," Standing on stage, before a camera, or before the Queen of England, David felt comfortable in his own skin whether it was barely dressed in a loin cloth, or stuffed into the white man's dinner jacket.
Roeg quickly cast the charismatic Gulpilil in Walkabout (1971), a film based upon Donald G Payne's 1959 novel about a boy who cheerfully leads children to safety. Without really knowing it, Roeg broke new ground in Australian cinema, and redefined the way that Indigenous people were represented in Australian cinema. The film was an international success everywhere but in Australia, where First Nation peoples had been previously portrayed only by white people wearing blackface. And to top it off, the film broke cultural barriers, presenting on the wide screen a sexually attractive young Black man.
David Gulpilli was, overnight, hurled in to high society as an instant, international celebrity and presented before Queen Elizabeth, who found him quite charming and humorous. She in turn introduced David to John Lennon and that was just the beginning. Before long he was soon shaking hands with Muhammad Ali, Marlon Brando, Bruce Lee, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Marley, who would help contribute to David's downfall. David taught Bob Marley to play the didgeridoo. Marley taught David to smoke ganja. But it was while filming Mad Dog Morgan (1976) that he got his crash course in hellraising by Dennis Hopper. Later in his one-man stage show he'd say, "If you're working with people like Dennis Hopper and [John] Meillon, well, you gotta learn all about drinking and drugs."
David enjoyed being in front of the camera, and he well knew the importance of his work because it was history and it would "remember to generation to generation," shining a spotlight on his people who had been murdered, exploited, and corralled into camps. The collective history of his people meant everything to him and these films, he claimed, "Won't rub it out."
He was a dancer, a singer, an artist, and a story teller, and fell lovingly into the role of ambassador of his culture to the white man's world, which ironically would eventually divorce him from his culture, as he took to drink and drugs and wound up in trouble with the law, racking up four drink-driving arrests, and one drunken escapade that landed him in jail again, but this time for assaulting his wife. As he admitted in his biopic, "Left side, my country. Right side, white man's world. This one tiptoe in caviar and champagne, this one in the dirt of my Dreamtime."
When he'd been discovered, he spoke no English, though he knew a few dialects of the First People's language, and he was such a quick learner. He began picking up English while just listening during the making of the film, Walkabout, and afterwards as he travelled about the world.
In his one man show, "Gulpilli," he tells the story of trying to use a knife and fork while sitting next to the queen. He cut and cut but couldn't get any meat as he just moved the plate around the table. He gave up and finally picked it up with his hands. Whether true or not, he tells how the Royal Family joined in, eating their meat as he did.
After his sudden fame in Walkabout, David found his way onto Australian television in episodes of Boney (1972), Homicide (1964), Rush (1974), The Timeless Land (1980), and more, and even got a bit part in The Right Stuff (1983).
He was quickly recognized as the most renowned tribal dancer in Australia, and he choreographed the traditional First People's dance in Crocodile Dundee (1986). His love of dance inspired him to organize dancing troupes and musicians that won the Darwin Australia Day Eisteddfod dance competition four times.
His breakthrough role came in the mid-seventies with Storm Boy (1976), one of David's personal favorites, followed up by a lead role in The Last Wave (1977). In fact, his last appearance as an actor was in the remake of Storm Boy (2019), playing the father of Fingerbone Bill, the character he'd played in the original version.
Despite his fame, his earnings were never substantial and he was subjected to racism from agents and film crews. He was often homeless, sleeping in parks. He wound up living in a corrugated iron hut in the community of Raminginig that had no electricity or running water, where he hunted kangaroos, cooking bush meat over an open fire. "I was brought up in a tin shed. I wandered all over the world - Paris, New York - now I'm back in a tin shed," Gulpilil said.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) is the story of Australia's Lost Generations, in which mixed race First Nation children were removed from their families and placed in church-run missions in order to breed the "black" out of them and integrate them into society. Many of the children ran away from these camps and trackers were sent out after them. David Gulpilil played the formidable tracker in Rabbit-Proof Fence, and that led to a leading role in The Tracker (2002), directed by Rolf de Heer. David referred to this role as the best performance in his career. He won best actor at the Australian Film Institute Awards, the Inside Film Awards, and the Film Critics' Circle Awards.
He teamed up with Rolf de Herr a few more times, but their most unique production was the first film scripted entirely in the Yolngu language, called Ten Canoes (2006). Gulpilil narrated the film and it won a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It was after this time that David's life took a downhill turn and landed him in prison because of his drinking and assaulting his then partner Miriam Ashley. After his release he went into treatment and got sober.
Clean and sober he went to work again with Rolf de Herr and co-wrote the film Charlie's Country (2013), the true to life story of an ageing man who yearned to return to his cultural roots. Gulpilil gave the performance of his career, winning four best actor awards, including best actor at the Cannes Film Festival. At the Australian Film Critics Association Awards, he shared with Rolf de Heer the best screenplay award.
Released six months before his passing, My Name is Gulpilil (2021) is, as David put it, the story of his story. Though very ill, David gives us insight into his charismatic life and charm as we witness the full spectrum of his talents. We see him dancing, singing, celebrating, and even painting. One of his paintings, "King brown snake with blue tongue lizard at Gulparil waterhole" hangs in The Art Gallery Of South Australia. He spins wool from his hair, something his ancestors handed down that his father taught him. He takes us for a walk through his land, along the rivers, in the shadows of the mountains, and knowing he's dying, he admits he really doesn't yet grasp it, but tells us, "I'm walking like across the desert of the country, a long, long way. Until the time comes . . . for me."- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Miranda Tapsell was born on 18 June 1987 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She is an actress and writer, known for The Dry (2020), Love Child (2014) and Top End Wedding (2019). She has been married to James Colley since December 2018. They have one child.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Writer
Warwick Thornton was born on 23 July 1970 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a cinematographer and director, known for Samson & Delilah (2009), Sweet Country (2017) and Green Bush (2005).- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Baykali Ganambarr was born on 30 August 1993 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is an actor, known for The Nightingale (2018), The Furnace (2020) and The Royal Hotel (2023).- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Jessica Mauboy was born on 4 August 1989 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She is an actress and producer, known for The Sapphires (2012), Secret Daughter (2016) and Bran Nue Dae (2009).- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Troy Honeysett was born in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is known for Class of '07 (2023), The Combination: Redemption (2019) and Hard Target 2 (2016).- Producer
- Director
- Actress
Maude Garrett was born in Darwin, Australia and grew up in Brisbane. She is a sassy and comedic TV Presenter, radio host, producer, MC, voice actor, geeky content creator and video games addict.
She was discovered in 2005 when she auditioned to be a new presenter on Channel V's Fresh Meat competition. After a successful career in Australian Television starting in 2006 and moving into radio to host the Hot 30 Countdown nationwide, Maude set her sights on Los Angeles in January 2013.
Since the move, Maude has spent the last 6 years dominating the entertainment space on Network & Cable Channels & Online Outlets like BBC America, Syfy, Nerdist, The Project Australia and New Zealand, Hoyts Australia, DC All Access, Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes.
These various roles have seen Maude become a red-carpet staple, interviewing the world's biggest stars including Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon.
Aside from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Maude has one true passion: being a nerd. In 2015, she became the host and manager of the popular online channel SourceFedNERD.
In 2017, her own channel Geek Bomb hit the milestone of 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. 'Boss Bomb' Maude and her hand selected 'Bomb Squad' bring the hottest news in geekdom, deliver original video content and podcasts - all in all celebrating how "kickass it is to be a geek".- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
Tom E. Lewis was born and raised in South Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory amongst the Murrungun tribe where today their lands are federally protected. For much of his early life he worked as a bricklayer and stockman in order to make ends meet. However this was only a front for his real drive and ambition to pursue a life of artistic merit. Most notably, Tom has shown his talents in both the musical and theatrical arena.
He has worked with many renowned theatrical companies such as Playbox and Melbourne Theatre Company and has produced internationally recognised work. But the real success story for Tom was his transition from theatre into film earning his first breakthrough role as the title character in the film "Chant Of Jimmie Blacksmith" (1978); a film which won itself a Palme d'Or nomination no less at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival. Tom's film career has been as broad as at has been long with him playing a multitude of complex, realistic and mostly recognisable indigenous characters. One of his most noticeable characters included Two Bob, an outlaw in the commercially and critically successful "The Proposition" (2005) and Jimmy Conway in the film "Red Hill" (2010) in which he played the main antagonist, an escaped and extremely vengeful convict.
Tom E. Lewis' acting abilities have slowly over the years begun to shine more and more on the international film circuit. With the release of his new film "Red Hill" (2010), which is being hailed as the next No Country for Old Men, it seems that Tom's day in the sunlight is just around the corner and perhaps even bigger character roles for him to sink his teeth into?- Additional Crew
- Actress
- Writer
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks was born on 4 January 1937 in Utopia Station, Northern Territory, Australia. She was an actress and writer, known for Jedda the Uncivilized (1955), Naked Under Capricorn (1989) and Australian Biography (1992). She was married to Bill Monks. She died on 26 January 2022 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.- Alan Dargin was born and raised in an Aboriginal tribe in Australia's northeast Arnhemland and is an internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player as well as having roles in a number of feature films. Dargin began studying the didgeridoo at age five. Dargin's grandfather taught him how to play, passing on secret techniques which have been passed down for generations over the instrument's 40,000 year history. Dargin's primary didgeridoo is over 100 years old and was given to him by his grandfather. It is made from the branch of a eucalyptus tree which is naturally hollowed out by thermites that hatch under the bark and burrow into the wood. The didgeridoo is decorated with Aboriginal tribal markings and was originally used in tribal ceremonies to induce Dreamtime. Dargin still plays ceremonial music, but never for the public. It is forbidden by custom. Dargin has toured extensively in Australia and the US and has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Most recently, he toured Korea on behalf of the Australian Foreign Affairs Department. He has appeared in a number of Australian films and has also found the time to earn a science degree from the University of Toronto.
- Retired Australian professional wrestler known for his time in WWE from 1987-1988 as Outback Jack, a gimmick based on the then-popular movie Crocodile Dundee (1986). He had a small run in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Alberta, Canada, which included some shots at Makhan Singh's (Mike Shaw) Stampede North American Heavyweight Title. He was built up through vignettes on WWE TV which showed him as a stereotypical Australian bushman. He debuted on Episode #2.6 (1987) with a win over Steve Lombardi. He would win some matches against lower-ranked wrestlers but usually lost to bigger names. He retired in 1988, after never winning a title, appearing on a PPV or accomplishing anything. Years into retirement, he would announce that he had gone completely blind.
His finishing move was a clothesline to the back of the neck called the "Boomerang."
He used Rolf Harris's "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" as his entrance music. - Nosepeg was born in 1918 in Northern Territory, Australia. He was an actor, known for Quigley Down Under (1990), Return of the Plainsman (1953) and Dust in the Sun (1958). He died in 1999.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Derik Lynch was born in 1986 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is an actor and director, known for Marungka tjalatjunu (2022), Bunker: The Last Fleet (2022) and Black Comedy (2014).- Robert Tudawali was born in 1928 in Melville Island, Northern Territory, Australia. He was an actor, known for Dust in the Sun (1958), Jedda the Uncivilized (1955) and Whiplash (1960). He died in 1967 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
- Nova Peris was born on 15 February 1971 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
- Nathan Buckley was born on 26 July 1972 in Northern Territory, Australia. He has been married to Tania Minnici since 31 December 2002. They have two children.
- Geoff Huegill was born in 1979 in Gove, Northern Territory, Australia. He has been married to Sara Hill since 2011. They have two children.
- John Cadell was born on 20 May 1920 in Adelaide River, Northern Territory, Australia. He was an actor, known for Robbery Under Arms (1957) and Whiplash (1960). He died on 24 July 1993 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
- Danni Miatke was born on 29 November 1987 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
- Damien Ryan was born in 1955 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is an actor, known for Glass (1989), Big Sky (1997) and Lateline (1990). He is married to Joanne. They have three children.
- Auriel Andrew was born in 1947 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. She was an actress, known for Blue Heelers (1994), A Country Practice (1981) and Bedevil (1993). She was married to Barry Francis. She died on 2 January 2017 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Mandawuy Yunupingu was born on 17 September 1956 in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia. He was an actor and composer, known for Encino Man (1992), Yolngu Boy (2001) and True Love and Chaos (1997). He was married to Gatjilayngu Maymuru. He died on 2 June 2013 in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia.- Executive
- Soundtrack
Max Stuart was born in 1932 in Jay Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. He was an executive. He died on 21 November 2014 in Australia.- Actor
- Make-Up Department
- Producer
Galarrwuy is an elder of the Gumatj clan, located in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, where Galarrwuy is a leader and inspiration to many people there. He is head chairman of the Northern Land Council and has been involved in many Government committees. Galarrwuy is also an active member of the community, and has been involved with his brothers successful band 'Yothu Yindi'. In 1978 he was honoured by being declared the Australian of the year for his services to the Aboriginal community. His brother Mandawuy Yunupingu, is also a former Australian of the year.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Fabian Lapham was born on 24 July 1982 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. He is an actor and writer, known for Gloom with a View (2008), Future Phone Call (2010) and Colorful Dead Things (2009).