Stephen Madsen

Madsen is the son of Sally, a doctor, and Ross, growing up in Mona Vale, New South Wales. As a child, he attended Mona Vale Public School and Manly Selective Campus.^[1] Madsen graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2014.^[2]

Madsen made his Sydney theatre debut as Jason "J.D." Dean in the Australian premiere of Heathers: The Musical at the Hayes Theatre in 2015.^[3] That same year, he portrayed Mark Cohen in Rent; also at the Hayes Theatre.^[4]

In 2016, Madsen returned to the role of Jason Dean for the Australian tour of Heathers: The Musical.^[5][6][7] He subsequently appeared in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.^[8]

He originated the role of swimmer Alexander Shkuratov in the world premiere of Muriel's Wedding at Sydney Theatre Company.^[9] He features on the Original Cast Recording released by Sony Music Australia.^[10]

He returned to the Hayes Theatre in 2018 as Patrick in the Australian premiere of The View Upstairs.^[11] He played Alan in Darlinghurst Theatre Company's 2018 production of Torch Song Trilogy.^[12]

In 2022, he played conniving frenchman Marcel Benoit in the Sydney Theatre Company production of White Pearl by Anchuli Felicia King at the newly-renovated Wharf Theatre.^[13] He toured with the production to Canberra and Parramatta.^[14][15] That same year, he played Carl in the first major Australian production of Sarah Kane's Cleansed.^[16][17]

He starred as the legendary warrior Achilles in Holding Achilles, an epic co-production between Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall, for its world premiere at Brisbane Festival in 2022 and a subsequent season for Sydney Festival in 2023.^[18][19] He appeared in Sex Magick at Griffin Theatre Company in the same year.^[20]

In 2025, he reprised his performance in Muriel's Wedding for the UK Premiere at the Curve Theatre.^[21] He also appeared in Spartacus: House of Ashur, and joined the supporting cast of Australian soap opera Home and Away as Eddie Shepherd. He made his debut in October 2025.^[22]

Madsen lives in Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales.