Russell Dykstra

Dykstra grew up in the Brisbane suburb of Calamvale.^[1]

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.^[2][3][4] Dykstra also studied at the school of Jacques Lecoq in Paris and Philippe Gaulier in London.^[5]

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 (1999) and a Film Critics’ Circle Award nomination (2000).^[6][7]

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^[8] and a Victorian Green Room Award^[9] nomination for Best Actor.^[10][11][12]

In 2007 Dykstra was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Romulus, My Father directed by Richard Roxburgh.^[13][14] 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,^[15] The Wonderful World of Dissocia,^[16][17] The Unlikely Prospect of Happiness,^[18] for the Sydney Theatre Company and Babyteeth,^[19][20] 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 (2007).^[21] 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 (film series), 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.^[22] For this performance Dykstra was honored with his third Helpmann Award, for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (2013).^[23]

Dykstra played Pumbaa in the Australian tour of Disney's The Lion King.^[24] For this performance Dykstra received a Sydney 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 Annual Helpmann Awards.^[25][26]

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.^[27]

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.^[28]

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.^[29]

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

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