Russell Dykstra
Dykstra in 2013, at theAddams Family rehearsal
Born	(1966-12-31)31 December 1966 (age 58) Brisbane,Queensland, Australia
Education	University of Southern Queensland
Occupation	Actor
Known for	Soft Fruit Romulus, My Father Rake Irreverent

Russell Dykstra (born 31 December 1966) is an Australian actor of screen, stage and TV.

Dykstra grew up in theBrisbane suburb ofCalamvale.^[1]

Dykstra first appeared on stage at age 10 in a theatre production ofToad of Toad Hall. He later studied acting at theUniversity of Southern Queensland, graduating with a Diploma of Creative Arts in 1987, and in his early career worked alongside fellow actorGeoffrey Rush with the Grin and Tonic theatre troupe.^[2][3][4] Dykstra also studied at the school ofJacques Lecoq in Paris andPhilippe Gaulier in London.^[5]

Dykstra made his feature film debut in the critically acclaimedSoft Fruit, directed by Christina Andreef, for which he received anAFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (1999) and aFilm Critics’ Circle Award nomination (2000).^[6][7]

Dykstra's one-man showChildren of the Devil had previously toured nationally in 1996–98 with funding from theAustralia Council, earning him aMatilda Award^[8] and a VictorianGreen Room Award^[9] nomination for Best Actor.^[10][11][12]

In 2007 Dykstra was nominated for anAFI Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance inRomulus, My Father directed byRichard Roxburgh.^[13][14] Other film appearances includeOranges and Sunshine,Clubland,Lantana,Garage Days,Ned Kelly,The View from Greenhaven,The Wannabes andHey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger.

Dykstra's theatre credits are extensive, includingGod of Carnage,^[15]The Wonderful World of Dissocia,^[16][17]The Unlikely Prospect of Happiness,^[18] for theSydney Theatre Company andBabyteeth,^[19][20]Ray’s Tempest,The Underpants,The Laramie Project,Yibiyung andThe Ham Funeral forCompany B. His performances inToy Symphony andStuff Happens earning him national theatreHelpmann Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 2006 and 2008 and aSydney Theatre Award (2007).^[21] Dykstra has also worked with theMalthouse Theatre, Theatre of Image,Griffin Theatre,Ensemble,La Boite Theatre andQueensland Theatre Company.

Television credits include the Australian TV seriesSpirited,Wild Boys,My Place,Scorched,BlackJack (film series),Loot,All Saints andWhite Collar Blue.

Dykstra is perhaps most well known for his portrayal of the character Barney, in the award-winning ABC TV seriesRake.

In 2013 Dykstra appeared asUncle Fester in the Australian production of the Broadway musicalThe Addams Family.^[22] For this performance Dykstra was honored with his thirdHelpmann Award, for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (2013).^[23]

Dykstra playedPumbaa in the Australian tour ofDisney'sThe Lion King.^[24] For this performance Dykstra received aSydney 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 AnnualHelpmann Awards.^[25][26]

In 2015 Dykstra won his secondEquity Award, for Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series, for his portrayal of Barney in the ABC TV seriesRake.^[27]

In 2016 Dykstra received anAACTA Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama for his performance as Barney in season 4 ofRake.^[28]

More recently Dykstra portrayed Lester in theMatchbox Pictures productionIrreverent streaming onPeacock in the US andNetflix Australia. He also appeared in the ABC TV seriesFires andIn Limbo produced by Bunya Productions.^[29]

In 2024 Dykstra appeared in the ABC TV production ofLadies in Black.^[30][31]

Dykstra was honoured as a Fellow of the University atUniversity of Southern Queensland (USQ)on September 26, 2024.^[32]

^[33][34]

• Russell Dykstra atIMDb

• Australian male film actors
• Australian male television actors
• Australian male stage actors
• Helpmann Award winners
• Living people
• Male actors from Brisbane
• 1966 births
• 20th-century Australian male actors
• 21st-century Australian male actors
• Best Actor AACTA Award winners

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