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Baykali Ganambarr
Born 1993/1994 (age 30–31)
Occupation Actor

Baykali Ganambarr is an Aboriginal Australian actor and dancer. He was born on Elcho Island in the Northern Territory. He is well-known for his role as a tracker in the 2018 movie The Nightingale.

Early Life and Heritage

Baykali Ganambarr was born in the Northern Territory, Australia. He is from the Yolngu people, who live on Elcho Island (Galiwin'ku). He speaks a language called Yolngu Matha.

Baykali's older sister, Rarriwuy Hick, is also an actress. She appeared in the TV show Cleverman.

Acting and Dancing Career

Baykali Ganambarr started his career by sharing videos of his dancing on YouTube. Later, he joined a dance group from Elcho Island called Djuki Mala.

First Movie Role

While still dancing with Djuki Mala, Baykali was chosen for his first acting job. This was in the movie The Nightingale. The film was shown at festivals in 2018 and released in the US in 2019. In the movie, he played an Aboriginal Tasmanian character named Mangana, also known as Billy. Billy was a tracker, someone who helps find people or things by following clues.

Stage Performances

In 2024, Baykali Ganambarr began performing in a stage musical called Big name, No blankets. This show was created by the Ilbijerri Theatre Company. It tells the story of how the Warumpi Band started and grew famous. In the musical, Baykali plays the role of Sammy Butcher.

Baykali grew up knowing one of the band members, George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga. They used to go fishing together. The show first opened in January 2024 at the Sydney Festival. Later that year, it was also performed at the RISING Festival in Melbourne, the Darwin Festival, and the Brisbane Festival. In October 2024, a smaller version of the show toured 16 prisons.

Awards and Recognition

Baykali Ganambarr has received several awards for his acting.

  • In 2018, he won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for his role in The Nightingale.
  • He was also nominated for the 2019 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the same movie.
  • In 2021, he was nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his part in the movie The Furnace.
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