Hal Cumpston facts for kids

Hal Cumpston is an Australian actor, writer, and producer. He is known for his roles in TV shows like The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Nine Perfect Strangers.

Early Life and Talents

Hal Cumpston grew up in Sydney, Australia. He went to Waverley College, where he loved being part of drama activities. Both of his parents work in the film industry. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is an actor and doctor. His mother, Rachel Lane, produces and directs non-fiction films. Hal also has Indigenous Australian heritage from his father's family, specifically the Barkandji people.

In his last year of high school, Hal's drama performance was so good that it was chosen for "OnStage." This event celebrates the best high school drama acts. He was also a finalist in the "Australian Class Clowns" comedy competition. This showed his talent for both acting and comedy early on.

Starting His Career

After finishing school, Hal wrote a movie script for a teen comedy called "Bilched." His father helped him get the movie made and directed it. Hal's friends helped produce the film, and his younger brothers and other friends were part of the cast. Some well-known actors like Alex Williamson and Rhys Muldoon also joined. Hal wanted to create an Australian teen comedy because he felt there weren't many good ones. He wrote the first draft of the script in less than two weeks.

The movie "Bilched" was filmed in Sydney in 2018 over 21 days. Hal then spent the next year finishing the movie's editing and sound. The story is about a character named Hal who tries out for drama school. His performance is not considered "honest" enough. "Bilched" was Hal's first big project. It was shown in cinemas across Australia and won several awards at the 2019 Chelsea Film Festival. These awards included Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and the Grand Prix for Best Feature Film.

Acting in Big Shows

Just a few weeks after "Bilched" was finished, Hal got an email for an audition from an American talent agency. He wasn't sure if it was real at first. It turned out that actress Jenni Baird had seen an article about Hal and his family. Her partner knew someone in a casting office in America and helped Hal get the audition.

Hal recorded a video audition for the role of Silas in The Walking Dead: World Beyond. He got the part and played a teenager trying to survive in a world changed by a global pandemic. The show was filmed in Richmond, Virginia.

In 2021, Hal played Zachary in the series Nine Perfect Strangers. Zachary was the son of the Marconi family. In this show, Hal acted alongside famous stars like Nicole Kidman, Asher Keddie, and Melissa McCarthy. The series is based on a book by Liane Moriarty. It follows a group of people at a health retreat who are trying to improve their lives.

Hal is currently working on writing more comedy movies. He looks up to famous writers and directors like Seth Rogen, Quentin Tarantino, and Evan Goldberg. In 2022, it was announced that Hal would be in the SBS legal drama Safe Home, playing the role of Max Kerr.

Hal Cumpston's Work

Television Roles

Film Roles