Russell Dykstra
Introduction '''Russell Dykstra''' (born 31 December 1966) is an Australian actor of screen, stage and TV.
Early life Dykstra grew up in the Brisbane suburb of Calamvale.Dykstra first appeared on stage at age 10 in a theatre production of ''Toad of Toad Hall''. He later studied acting at the University of Southern Queensland, and in his early career worked alongside fellow actor Geoffrey Rush with the Grin and Tonic theatre troupe. Dykstra also studied at the school of Jacques Lecoq in Paris and Philippe Gaulier in London.
Career Dykstra made his feature film debut in the critically acclaimed ''Soft Fruit'', directed by Christina Andreef, for which he received an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (1999) and a Film Critics’ Circle Award nomination (2000).Dykstra's one-man show ''Children of the Devil'' had previously toured nationally in 1996–98 with funding from the Australia Council, earning him a Matilda Award and a  Victorian Green Room Award nomination for Best Actor.In 2007 Dykstra was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in ''Romulus, My Father'' directed by Richard Roxburgh. Other film appearances include ''Oranges and Sunshine'', ''Clubland'', ''Lantana'', ''Garage Days'', ''Ned Kelly'', ''The View from Greenhaven'', ''The Wannabes'' and ''Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger''.Dykstra's theatre credits are extensive, including ''God of Carnage'', ''The Wonderful World of Dissocia'', ''The Unlikely Prospect of Happiness'', for the Sydney Theatre Company and ''Babyteeth'', ''Ray’s Tempest'', ''The Underpants'', ''The Laramie Project'', ''Yibiyung'' and ''The Ham Funeral'' for Company B. His performances in ''Toy Symphony'' and ''Stuff Happens'' earning him national theatre Helpmann Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 2006 and 2008 and a Sydney Theatre Award (2007). Dykstra has also worked with the Malthouse Theatre, Theatre of Image, Griffin Theatre, Ensemble, La Boite Theatre and Queensland Theatre Company.Television credits include the Australian TV series ''Spirited'', ''Wild Boys'', ''My Place'', ''Scorched'', ''BlackJack (film series)'', ''ABC TV’s Loot'', ''All Saints'' and ''White Collar Blue''.Dykstra is perhaps most well known for his portrayal of the character Barney, in the award-winning ABC TV series ''Rake''.In 2013 Dykstra appeared as Uncle Fester in the Australian production of the Broadway musical ''The Addams Family''. For this performance Dykstra was honored with his third Helpmann Award, for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (2013).Dykstra played Pumbaa in the Australian tour of Disney's ''The Lion King''. For this performance Dykstra received a Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical (2013) and was nominated Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the 14th Annual Helpmann Awards.In 2015 Dykstra won his second Equity Award, for Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series, for his portrayal of Barney in the ABC TV series ''Rake''.In 2016 Dykstra received an AACTA Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama for his performance as Barney in Rake, Series 4.More recently Dykstra portrayed Lester in the Matchbox Pictures production ''Irreverent'' streaming on Peacock in the US and Netflix Australia. He also appeared in the ABC TV series “Fires” and “In Limbo” produced by Bunya Productions.In 2024 Dykstra is set to appear in the upcoming ABC production titled Ladies in Black.
Filmography ===Film===TitleYearRoleNotes 1998 ''Soft Fruit'' Bo Feature filmAFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (1999)Film Critics’ Circle Award  nomination (1999) 1999 ''Bondi Banquet'' Rufus Film 2000 ''Beach Story''  Frank Short film 2001''Lantana'' Michael Feature film 2001''Garage Days'' Bruno Feature film 2001''Versus'' Jay Short film 2002 ''BlackJack: Murder Archive''  Buchanan TV film 2002 ''Stuffed Bunny''  Man Short film 2002 ''Ned Kelly'' Wild Wright Feature film 2002 ''The Wannabes'' Marcus Feature film 2004 ''Amorality Tale'' Brian Chappell Short film 2005 ''BlackJack: Ace Point Game''  Buchanan TV film 2005 ''The Water Diary''  Rog Short film 2006 ''Romulus, My Father'' Mitru Feature filmAFI Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor (2007) 2007 ''Clubland'' Shane Feature film  2007 ''BlackJack: Ghosts''  Buchanan TV film 2007 ''Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger'' Osmond Blueburger Feature film 2007 ''The View from Greenhaven'' Tim Feature film 2008 ''Scorched'' Keith TV film 2009 ''Nightwalking''  Voices Short film 2011 ''Oranges and Sunshine'' Dan Feature film 2013 ''Maiden'' Mick Short film 2018 ''Slam'' Paul Koustakidis Film===Television===YearTitleRoleNotes 1996 ''Medivac'' Fitzpatrick TV series 2001 ''Water Rats'' Tino TV series 2001 ''Grass Roots''  Bill Hooks TV series 2002 ''BackBerner'' Mr Dennis McCauley TV series 2003''White Collar Blue'' Dale Trindle TV series 2003 ''All Saints''  Grant Jenkins TV series  2003 ''Loot''  Bruno Batelli TV series 2007 ''The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry'' Henry's Dad / Tough Guy TV series 2009 ''My Place''  Mr. Merry TV series 2009 ''Spirited''  Adam TV series, Season 1 2010-16 ''Rake''  Barney Meagher TV series,Seasons 1-4Equity Award for Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2021 ''Fires, ABC TV'' David Jasic TV mini series 2022 ''Irreverent'' Lester TV series 2023 ''Last King of the Cross'' Bartucci TV series 2023 ''In Limbo'' Frank TV miniseries
Awards and nominations  Award Year Category Result Work Victorian Green Room Award  1998  Best Male Actor    ''Children of the Devil''	 Brisbane Theatre Critics’ Matilda Award 1998  Best Male Actor    ''Children of the Devil'' Film Critics’ Circle Award  1999  Best Male Actor    ''Soft Fruit'' Australian Film Institute Award (AFI)  1999  Best Actor in a Leading Role    ''Soft Fruit''	 Helpmann Award  2006  Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play    ''Stuff Happens'' Australian Film Institute Award (AFI)  2007  Best Supporting Actor    ''Romulus, My Father (Film)'' Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Award  2007  Best Actor in a Supporting Role    ''Toy Symphony'' Helpmann Award  2008  Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play    ''Toy Symphony'' Equity Award  2011  Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series    ''RAKE Series 1'' USQ Alumnus Awards  2013  Outstanding Alumnus of the Year    ''Outstanding Achievement'' Helpmann Award  2013  Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical    ''The Addams Family'' Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Award  2013  Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical    ''The Lion King'' Canberra Film Festival Award  2013  Best Performance    ''Maiden'' Helpmann Award  2014  Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical    ''The Lion King'' Equity Award   2015  Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series    ''RAKE Series 3'' Australian Film Institute Award (AFI)   2016  Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama    ''RAKE Series 4''
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