Gary Waddell is an award-winning Australian film and television actor.
Waddell appeared in the 1975 drama film Pure Shit, receiving an AFI Award for his portrayal of Lou, a drug addict. The film was initially banned, but was subsequently released with an "R" rating, provided the title was changed from Pure Shit to Pure S.
He also appeared alongside Bruce Spence in 1976 cult film Oz: A RockâÂÂnâÂÂRoll Road Movie, playing the part of the cowardly biker (The Lion). The film was an Australian reimagining of classic tale The Wizard of Oz, marketed towards a mid-1970s youth audience.
The following year, Waddell had a role in The FJ Holden (1977) with Sigrid Thornton. Further film credits from this era include 1978 film In Search of Anna, with Chris Haywood and Bill Hunter, and 1980 prison drama Stir (1980), opposite Bryan Brown and Max Phipps.
Wadell later had a role in 2000 crime film Chopper, where he played Kevin Darcy opposite Eric Bana in his award-winning portrayal of Mark âÂÂChopperâ Read. His subsequent film credits include Dirty Deeds (2002) with Bryan Brown, Gettin' Square (2003) alongside Sam Worthington and David Wenham. and 2002 political drama Black and White with Colin Friels, Charles Dance and Robert Carlyle.
In 2002, Wadell was nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama, for his role as Steve McClure in an episode of Bad Cop, Bad Cop. He was later nominated for the 2012 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for portraying the neighbour from hell in Rolf de HeerâÂÂs 2012 comedy drama film The King is Dead!. The following year, he featured the film Charlie's Country, as Gaz
In 2014, Wadell appeared opposite Bryan Brown and Sam Neill in the eight-part drama series Old School.
Wadell more recently had a role in 2022 psychological crime thriller The Stranger opposite Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.
Waddell's partner is Lou Morris, with whom he has a daughter. The couple moved to Bangalow from Sydney in 2013, after their daughter competed her university studies and moved out of home.