Richard Roxburgh
Encyclopedia
Richard Roxburgh is an Australian actor who has starred in many Australian films and has appeared in supporting roles in a number of Hollywood
productions, usually as villains.
to John (now deceased, died in July 2011) and Mary Roxburgh; he is the youngest of six children. He studied economics
at the Australian National University
in Canberra, but decided to become an actor, and was admitted to the National Institute of Dramatic Art
(NIDA) on his second audition attempt.
in the 1995 television mini-series Blue Murder
,
He appeared in several Australian film and stage productions through the 1990s, including a critically acclaimed turn as Hamlet
in the 1994 Company B
production at the Belvoir St Theatre
. In December 2007, he played the lead character, Roland Henning, who suffered writer's block in Michael Gow
's play, Toy Symphony, at the Belvoir Street Theatre Sydney, winning the 2008 Helpmann Award
for best male actor in a play.
In 2000, Roxburgh appeared in the first of several international blockbuster films when he appeared as henchman Hugh Stamp in the John Woo
-directed Mission: Impossible II
, which was filmed in Sydney. Also filmed in Sydney was Baz Luhrmann
's Moulin Rouge!
(2001), in which Roxburgh played the Duke of Monroth.
Roxburgh appeared as three iconic characters over the next three years: he played Sherlock Holmes
in 2002's The Hound of the Baskervilles
, Holmes's nemesis Professor Moriarty
in 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
, and Count Dracula
in 2004's Van Helsing
. He is one of only two actors to have played all three of these characters, the other being Orson Welles
, who played them in separate radio programs.
Roxburgh directed his first film, Romulus, My Father
starring Eric Bana
, released in 2007. This film won (and was nominated for several more) the AFI Award in December 2007. In 2008 and 2009, he played the lead role of Art Watkins in the ABC
drama series East of Everything
.
In July 2010, Roxburgh played former Australian Prime Minister
Bob Hawke
in a telemovie based on Hawke's life. Late in 2010, Roxburgh co-created and appeared in the lead role of the ABC1
television eight-episode drama series Rake
. He stars in Matching Jack
, which was released in August 2010, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, released in September 2010.
Roxburgh played Vanya opposite Cate Blanchett
, Hugo Weaving
and John Bell
in Sydney Theatre Company
's 2010 production of Anton Chekov's Uncle Vanya
.
, whom he met on the set of the film Doing Time for Patsy Cline
in 1997. Their relationship ended in 2000.
During production of the film Van Helsing
, Roxburgh met Italian actress Silvia Colloca
, whom he married on 25 September 2004. They have two sons, Raphael Jack Domenico Roxburgh, who was born 10 February 2007, and Miro Gianni David Roxburgh, who was born 1 October 2010.
Film Crities Circle of Australia Awards
Logie Awards
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
productions, usually as villains.
Early life
Roxburgh was born in Albury, New South WalesAlbury, New South Wales
Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...
to John (now deceased, died in July 2011) and Mary Roxburgh; he is the youngest of six children. He studied economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
in Canberra, but decided to become an actor, and was admitted to the National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
(NIDA) on his second audition attempt.
Acting career
Roxburgh came to public attention for his acclaimed portrayal of corrupt New South Wales Police Force detective Roger RogersonRoger Rogerson
Roger Caleb Rogerson is a controversial former detective-sergeant of the New South Wales Police Force. Rogerson was convicted of perverting the course of justice and lying to the 1999 Police Integrity Commission...
in the 1995 television mini-series Blue Murder
Blue Murder (mini-series)
Blue Murder is a two-part Australian television miniseries produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1995, and is based on true events. Given its confronting content, the DVD release was classified MA 15+...
,
He appeared in several Australian film and stage productions through the 1990s, including a critically acclaimed turn as Hamlet
Prince Hamlet
Prince Hamlet is a fictional character, the protagonist in Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. He is the Prince of Denmark, nephew to the usurping Claudius and son of the previous King of Denmark, Old Hamlet. Throughout the play he struggles with whether, and how, to avenge the murder of his father, and...
in the 1994 Company B
Company B (theatre)
Belvoir is an Australian theatre company based at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Its Artistic Director is Ralph Myers.Belvoir receives government support for its activities from the federal government through the Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council for the Arts and...
production at the Belvoir St Theatre
Belvoir St Theatre
Belvoir St Theatre is an Australian theatre venue in Sydney. The venue in Belvoir Street, Surry Hills previously operated as the Nimrod Theatre, and was founded as "Belvoir St" in 1984 by Sue Hill and Chris Westwood...
. In December 2007, he played the lead character, Roland Henning, who suffered writer's block in Michael Gow
Michael Gow
Michael Gow is an Australian playwright and director most famed for his 1986 work Away.As a student at Sydney University, Gow acted and directed with the Dramatic Society from 1973-1976. After graduation, Gow went on to act with Nimrod, Thalia and Sydney theatre companies.He has been the Artist...
's play, Toy Symphony, at the Belvoir Street Theatre Sydney, winning the 2008 Helpmann Award
2008 Helpmann Awards
The 2008 Helpmann Awards were presented on 28 July 2008 at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney. The ceremony was hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Julia Zemiro and was broadcast live on Bio...
for best male actor in a play.
In 2000, Roxburgh appeared in the first of several international blockbuster films when he appeared as henchman Hugh Stamp in the John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
-directed Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible II is a 2000 action film directed by John Woo, and starring Tom Cruise, who also served as the film's producer...
, which was filmed in Sydney. Also filmed in Sydney was Baz Luhrmann
Baz Luhrmann
Mark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann is an Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for The Red Curtain Trilogy, which includes his films Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!...
's Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 romantic jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. Following the Red Curtain Cinema principles, the film is based on the Orphean myth, La Traviata, and La Bohème...
(2001), in which Roxburgh played the Duke of Monroth.
Roxburgh appeared as three iconic characters over the next three years: he played Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
in 2002's The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002 film)
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a 2002 television adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel of the same name.-Production:Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for the BBC, it was shown on BBC One on Boxing Day, 2002. It was directed by David Attwood, and adapted by Allan Cubitt. The film stars...
, Holmes's nemesis Professor Moriarty
Professor Moriarty
Professor James Moriarty is a fictional character and the archenemy of the detective Sherlock Holmes in the fiction of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Moriarty is a criminal mastermind, described by Holmes as the "Napoleon of Crime". Doyle lifted the phrase from a real Scotland Yard inspector who was...
in 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (film)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a 2003 superhero film adaptation loosely based on characters from the comic book limited series The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore, who is also famous for Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell. It was released on July 11, 2003, in the...
, and Count Dracula
Count Dracula
Count Dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula and archetypal vampire. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century Romanian general and Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler...
in 2004's Van Helsing
Van Helsing (film)
Van Helsing is a 2004 American action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers. It stars Hugh Jackman as vigilante monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, and Kate Beckinsale...
. He is one of only two actors to have played all three of these characters, the other being Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
, who played them in separate radio programs.
Roxburgh directed his first film, Romulus, My Father
Romulus, My Father (film)
Romulus, My Father is a 2007 Australian drama film directed by Richard Roxburgh. Based on the memoir by Raimond Gaita, the film tells the story of Romulus and his wife Christine , and their struggle in the face of great adversity to raise their son, Raimond . The film marks the directorial debut...
starring Eric Bana
Eric Bana
Eric Bana is an Australian film and television actor. He began his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series Full Frontal before gaining critical recognition in the biopic Chopper...
, released in 2007. This film won (and was nominated for several more) the AFI Award in December 2007. In 2008 and 2009, he played the lead role of Art Watkins in the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
drama series East of Everything
East of Everything
East of Everything is an Australian drama television series which began screening on 30 March 2008 on the ABC. It is produced by Deborah Cox , Fiona Eagger and Roger Monk...
.
In July 2010, Roxburgh played former Australian Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
in a telemovie based on Hawke's life. Late in 2010, Roxburgh co-created and appeared in the lead role of the ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
television eight-episode drama series Rake
Rake (TV series)
Rake is an Australian television series, produced by Essential Media and Entertainment, that first aired on ABC1 in 2010. It stars Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister, a rake...
. He stars in Matching Jack
Matching Jack
Matching Jack is a 2010 Australian drama film directed by Nadia Tass from a screenplay by Lynne Renew and David Parker, based on an unfilmed script by Renew entitled Love and Mortar. The film stars Jacinda Barrett as a mother who begins a lengthy search for a bone marrow donor to help her son , who...
, which was released in August 2010, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, released in September 2010.
Roxburgh played Vanya opposite Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award...
, Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Wallace Weaving is a Nigerian born, English-Australian film actor and voice artist. He is best known for his roles as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy, Elrond in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, "V" in V for Vendetta, and performances in numerous Australian character dramas.-Early...
and John Bell
John Bell (actor)
John Anthony Bell, AO, OBE is an Australian actor and theatre director.Bell was born 1 November 1940 in the town of Maitland, New South Wales where he was educated at the Marist Brothers....
in Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
's 2010 production of Anton Chekov's Uncle Vanya
Uncle Vanya
Uncle Vanya is a play by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. It was first published in 1897 and received its Moscow première in 1899 in a production by the Moscow Art Theatre, under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski....
.
Personal life
Roxburgh was in a relationship with fellow actor and NIDA graduate Miranda OttoMiranda Otto
Miranda Otto is an Australian actress. The daughter of actors Lindsay and Barry Otto and the sister of actress Gracie Otto, she began acting at age eighteen, and has performed in a variety of independent and major studio films....
, whom he met on the set of the film Doing Time for Patsy Cline
Doing Time for Patsy Cline
Doing Time for Patsy Cline is a 1997 Australian multi-award-winning film starring Miranda Otto, Richard Roxburgh, and Matt Day and directed by Chris Kennedy.-Plot:...
in 1997. Their relationship ended in 2000.
During production of the film Van Helsing
Van Helsing (film)
Van Helsing is a 2004 American action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers. It stars Hugh Jackman as vigilante monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, and Kate Beckinsale...
, Roxburgh met Italian actress Silvia Colloca
Silvia Colloca
Silvia Colloca is an Italian actress.Colloca was born in Milan to Loredana and Mario Colloca. Her first major film role was in Van Helsing, in which she played Verona, one of Dracula's brides. In September 2004, she married the Australian actor who played Dracula in that film, Richard Roxburgh...
, whom he married on 25 September 2004. They have two sons, Raphael Jack Domenico Roxburgh, who was born 10 February 2007, and Miro Gianni David Roxburgh, who was born 1 October 2010.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Lessons in the Language of Love Lessons in the Language of Love Lessons in the Language of Love is a 1995 Australian short film directed by Scott Patterson. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Gabrielle Adkins - Sue* Marianne Bryant - Lou* Anni Finsterer - Nicki... | 1995 | Harry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Murder Blue Murder (mini-series) Blue Murder is a two-part Australian television miniseries produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1995, and is based on true events. Given its confronting content, the DVD release was classified MA 15+... |
1995 | Roger Rogerson Roger Rogerson Roger Caleb Rogerson is a controversial former detective-sergeant of the New South Wales Police Force. Rogerson was convicted of perverting the course of justice and lying to the 1999 Police Integrity Commission... |
|
| Children of the Revolution | 1996 | Joe | |
| Thank God He Met Lizzie Thank God He Met Lizzie Thank God He Met Lizzie is a 1997 Australian romantic comedy film starring Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh. It was the directorial debut of Cherie Nowlan... |
1997 | Guy Jamieson | |
| Doing Time for Patsy Cline Doing Time for Patsy Cline Doing Time for Patsy Cline is a 1997 Australian multi-award-winning film starring Miranda Otto, Richard Roxburgh, and Matt Day and directed by Chris Kennedy.-Plot:... |
1997 | Boyd | Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role The AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role is an award in the annual AACTA Awards, presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts... |
| Oscar and Lucinda Oscar and Lucinda (film) Oscar and Lucinda is a 1997 romantic drama film directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Cate Blanchett, Ralph Fiennes, Ciarán Hinds and Tom Wilkinson. It is based on the 1988 Booker Prize-winning novel Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey.-Plot:... |
1998 | Mr Jeffries | |
| In the Winter Dark In the Winter Dark In The Winter Dark is a 1988 novel by award-winning author Tim Winton.Night falls. In a lonely valley called the Sink, four people prepare for a quiet evening. Then in his orchard, Murray Jaccob sees a moving shadow. Across the swamp, his neighbour Ronnie watches her lover leave and feels her... |
1998 | Murray Jacob | |
| Passion | 1999 | Percy Grainger Percy Grainger George Percy Aldridge Grainger , known as Percy Grainger, was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. In the course of a long and innovative career he played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. He also made many... |
Nominated – Australian Film Institute for Best Actor in a Leading Role |
| 1999 | Captain Daventry | ||
| Mission: Impossible II Mission: Impossible II Mission: Impossible II is a 2000 action film directed by John Woo, and starring Tom Cruise, who also served as the film's producer... |
2000 | Hugh Stamp | |
| Moulin Rouge! Moulin Rouge! Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 romantic jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. Following the Red Curtain Cinema principles, the film is based on the Orphean myth, La Traviata, and La Bohème... |
2001 | ||
| 2002 | Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve... |
||
| 2002 | Karl | ||
| 2002 | Neil | ||
| 2003 | |||
| Van Helsing Van Helsing (film) Van Helsing is a 2004 American action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers. It stars Hugh Jackman as vigilante monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, and Kate Beckinsale... |
2004 | Dracula Count Dracula Count Dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula and archetypal vampire. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century Romanian general and Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler... |
|
| Stealth Stealth (film) Stealth is a 2005 American science fiction action film starring Jessica Biel, Josh Lucas, Jamie Foxx, and Sam Shepard. The film was directed by Rob Cohen, director of The Fast and the Furious and xXx.... |
2005 | Dr. Keith Orbit | |
| Fragiles | 2005 | Robert Kerry | |
| Like Minds Like Minds Like Minds is a feature film, written and directed by Gregory J. Read. The film was produced by the South Australian Film Corporation. It debuted in Australia on 9 November 2006. The psychological thriller is the first Australian/UK co-production to be set in the UK in over a decade. Like Minds... |
2006 | Martin McKenzie | |
| 2006 | Richard Trealoar | ||
| Romulus, My Father Romulus, My Father (film) Romulus, My Father is a 2007 Australian drama film directed by Richard Roxburgh. Based on the memoir by Raimond Gaita, the film tells the story of Romulus and his wife Christine , and their struggle in the face of great adversity to raise their son, Raimond . The film marks the directorial debut... |
2007 | Director | |
| False Witness False Witness False Witness is an Australian television mini-series produced by Screentime Australia for the Australian subscription television channel UK.TV... |
2009 | Charles Van Koors | |
| Matching Jack Matching Jack Matching Jack is a 2010 Australian drama film directed by Nadia Tass from a screenplay by Lynne Renew and David Parker, based on an unfilmed script by Renew entitled Love and Mortar. The film stars Jacinda Barrett as a mother who begins a lengthy search for a bone marrow donor to help her son , who... |
2010 | David | |
| Hawke | 2010 | Bob Hawke Bob Hawke Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister.... |
Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role |
| Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole | 2010 | Boron | |
| Rake Rake (TV series) Rake is an Australian television series, produced by Essential Media and Entertainment, that first aired on ABC1 in 2010. It stars Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister, a rake... |
2010 | Cleaver Greene | Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor in a Series Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor in a Series The Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor in a Series is an award in the annual Australian Logie Awards.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... |
| Sanctum Sanctum (film) Sanctum is a 2011 Australian 3D adventure drama film directed by Alister Grierson from a screenplay by John Garvin and Andrew Wight, and story by Wight... |
2010 | Frank McGuire |
Awards
Australian Film Institute- 1997 – won: Doing Time for Patsy Cline
- 1999 – nominated: Passion
- 2001 – nominated: Moulin Rouge!Moulin Rouge!Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 romantic jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. Following the Red Curtain Cinema principles, the film is based on the Orphean myth, La Traviata, and La Bohème...
- 2006 – nominated: The Silence (TV)
- 2010 – won: Hawke (TV)
Film Crities Circle of Australia Awards
- 1998 – won: Doing Time for Patsy Cline
Logie Awards
- 1996 – won: Blue Murder (TV)
- 2007 – nominated: The Silence
- 2011 – nominated: Hawke (TV)
- 2011 – won: Rake (TV)
External links
- Romulus My Father website
- Eyeforfilm.co.uk – Interview with Richard Roxburgh about Romulus, My Father