Bill Hunter was one of Australia's acting legends, having worked with
almost every notable Australian director and actor of the last thirty
years - evidence of his genuine popularity among the public and acting
fraternity alike.
He started out in Australian television in the '60s (a hotbed of well
written and directed drama), and rapidly became a favorite of directors
during the boom in the Australian movie industry in the '70s. He has
often played the strong, opinionated, stereotypically gruff Australian
who ultimately betrays a softer heart.
Some of his notable movie roles include the Australian officer Major
Barton, who will only ask his troops to do as he would, in
Gallipoli (1981),
Peter Weir's groundbreaking movie
starring the young
Mel Gibson; the
meddling Barry Fife in
Strictly Ballroom (1992),
Baz Luhrmann's first international hit;
scheming politician and failure as a father and husband Bill Heslop in
Muriel's Wedding (1994),
P.J. Hogan's first international hit; the
lovable country battler in the international megahit
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994),
starring
Terence Stamp,
Guy Pearce, and
Hugo Weaving.
Faraway Downs(2023)as Skipper (Qantas Sloop)
Die on Your Feet(2013)as Bill Hunter
The Cup(2011)as Bart Cummings
Small Time Gangster(2011)as Big Jack Stanley
Red Dog(2011)as Jumbo Smelt
On the Beach(1959)
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation(2009)as Self
Inside 'The Square'(2009)as Self
ABC News Breakfast(2008)as Self - Actor, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Project(2009)as Self
Movie Night Extravaganza(2021)as Self
Senses of Cinema(2022)as Self
That's Our Mad Dog: Dennis Hopper Interviewed by Phillipe Mora(2009)as Self, Sergeant Smith
