Deborah Mailman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deborah Mailman AM
Mailman at The Sapphires Australian premiere in August 2012
Born	Deborah Jane Mailman (1972-07-14) 14 July 1972 (age 52) Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	Queensland University of Technology
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1994–present
Partner(s)	Matthew Coonan
Children	2

Deborah Jane Mailman (born 14 July 1972) is a famous Australian actress and singer. She is well-known for her roles in many TV shows and movies.

Deborah Mailman was the first Aboriginal actress to win a major acting award called the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She has won five of these awards for her work in TV and film. She became famous in 1998 for the movie Radiance.

Some of her popular roles include Kelly Lewis in The Secret Life of Us and Cherie Butterfield in Offspring. She also played Lorraine in Redfern Now and Aunt Linda in Cleverman. More recently, she starred as politician Alex Irving in Total Control.

About Deborah Mailman

Deborah Jane Mailman was born on 14 July 1972. She grew up in Mount Isa, a town in Queensland, Australia. She has both Aboriginal (Bidjara) and Māori heritage.

In 1992, she finished her studies at the Queensland University of Technology. She earned a degree in performing arts. Deborah is married and has two children.

Her Acting Journey

Mailman at Australian Film Walk of Fame at Randwick Ritz, The Spot Festival in 2012

Deborah Mailman started her acting career on stage. In 1994, she played Kate in a play called The Taming of the Shrew. She also co-wrote and starred in a solo show called The Seven Stages of Grieving.

In 1998, she made her first movie, Radiance. She won her first big award for this role. She then joined the TV show The Secret Life of Us. For this show, she won "Most Outstanding Actress" at the Logies twice.

Deborah also appeared in the children's TV series Play School. She was a presenter on the ABC show Message Stick.

She acted in the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence. In 2010, she starred in the musical film Bran Nue Dae. She also played Gail McCrae in the play and movie The Sapphires.

From 2010 to 2014, she played Cherie Butterfield in the TV drama Offspring. In 2012, she starred in Redfern Now, a mini-series about Indigenous Australians.

In 2015, Deborah co-hosted the AACTA Awards with actress Cate Blanchett. She also appeared in the movies Paper Planes and Oddball. She was the voice of Blinky Bill's mum in Blinky Bill the Movie.

In 2019, she played a politician named Alex Irving in the TV series Total Control. In 2024, she was a guest voice in the popular children's show Bluey. She voiced one of the Sheepdogs in the episode "The Sign".

Deborah Mailman also serves on important boards. She joined the Sydney Opera House Trust in 2015. In 2019, she became a member of the Screen Australia Board. In 2024, she was appointed to First Nations Arts. This group helps support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

Movies and TV Shows

Films

Television

Awards and Recognition

Mailman's plaque at the Australian Film Walk of Fame, Ritz Cinema, Randwick, Sydney

Deborah Mailman has won many awards for her acting. These awards show how talented she is.

AACTA Awards

Equity Ensemble Awards

FCCA Awards

Helpmann Awards

Logie Awards

Other Awards

In 2003, Deborah Mailman was named NAIDOC Person of the Year. This award celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She also won Female Actor of the Year.

In 2012, she received a Queensland Greats Awards. This award honors people who have made a big difference to Queensland.

In 2017, Deborah won the Chauvel Award. This award is given to people who have made a very important contribution to the Australian film industry.

See also

In Spanish: Deborah Mailman para niños