Simon Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Burke
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Simon Burke, June 2013
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| Born | 8 October 1961 Melbourne, Australia
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Simon Gareth Burke is a famous Australian actor who has worked in movies, television shows, and theatre plays. He is also known for being a presenter on the popular children's show Play School.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Simon Burke started his acting career when he was only 12 years old. His first role was in a play called Kookaburra in 1974.
Just a year later, at age 13, he starred in the movie The Devil's Playground. His performance was so good that he won the AFI Award for Best Actor. This is one of Australia's highest acting awards, similar to an Oscar. To this day, Simon is the youngest person ever to win this award.
A Career on Stage and Screen
After his early success, Simon Burke continued to act in many different projects in Australia and around the world.
Famous Roles
Many people remember him from the Australian children's television show Play School. He was a presenter on the show for many years, starting in 1988.
He has also starred in famous stage musicals. He played Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music in London. He also played Mr. Banks in the musical Mary Poppins in several cities, including Sydney and Auckland.
In 2014, he returned to the role that made him famous. He starred in a TV miniseries called Devil's Playground, which was a sequel to the movie he made as a teenager. He was also a co-creator and producer for the show.
Working for Actors
Besides acting, Simon Burke has worked to help other actors. From 2004 to 2014, he was the Federal President of Actors Equity Australia, which is a group that supports performers. He is also a Vice President of the International Federation of Actors, a worldwide organization for actors.
In 2015, he received a special honor called the Officer of the Order of Australia. He was given this award for his great service to the performing arts as an actor, singer, and producer. It also recognized his work in fighting for the rights of performers.
Notable Works
Simon Burke has been in dozens of movies, TV shows, and plays. Here are some of his most well-known projects.
Film
- The Devil's Playground (1976)
- Pitch Black (2000)
- Travelling Light (2003)
Television
- Play School (1988–2007, 2013)
- Brides of Christ (1991)
- South Pacific (2001)
- Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2013)
- Devil's Playground (2014)
Theatre
- Les Misérables (1987–88)
- Anything Goes (1989–90)
- The Phantom of the Opera (1992-93)
- Chicago (1999–2000)
- The Sound of Music (2007–08)
- Mary Poppins (2010–12)
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical (2021–24)
- Wicked (2024)
