Russell Dykstra


Russell Dykstra 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, graduating with a Diploma of Creative Arts in 1987, 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 and a Film Critics’ Circle Award nomination.
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. 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 , 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.
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 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 season 4 of Rake.
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 appeared in the ABC TV production of Ladies in Black.
Dykstra was honoured as a Fellow of the University at University of Southern Queensland on September 26, 2024.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

As actor

As devisor / director

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryResultWork
Green Room Award1998Best Male ActorNomitatedChildren of the Devil
Matilda Award1998Best Male ActorWonChildren of the Devil
Film Critics’ Circle Award1999Best Male ActorNomitatedSoft Fruit
Australian Film Institute Award1999Best Actor in a Leading RoleWonSoft Fruit
Helpmann Award2006Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a PlayWonStuff Happens
Australian Film Institute Award 2007Best Supporting ActorNomitatedRomulus, My Father
Critics' Circle Theatre Award2007Best Actor in a Supporting RoleWonToy Symphony
Helpmann Award2008Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a PlayWonToy Symphony
Equity Award2011Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesWonRAKE Series 1
USQ Alumnus Awards2013Outstanding Alumnus of the YearWonOutstanding Achievement
Helpmann Award2013Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a MusicalWonThe Addams Family
Critics' Circle Theatre Award2013Best Performance by an Actor in a MusicalNomitatedThe Lion King
Canberra Film Festival Award2013Best PerformanceWonMaiden
Helpmann Award2014Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a MusicalNomitatedThe Lion King
Equity Ensemble Award2015Most Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesWonRAKE Series 3
Australian Film Institute Award 2016Best Supporting Actor in a Television DramaNomitatedRAKE Series 4