Gary Waddell

Gary Waddell (7 August 1952 – 12 October 2026) was an Australian film and television actor. He primarily worked as a character actor, portraying gritty or unconventional figures in supporting roles across Australian film and television.

Waddell was born in Carlton, Victoria, Australia on 7 August 1952. He appeared in the 1975 drama film Pure Shit, receiving an AFI Award for his portrayal of Lou, a drug addict. The film was initially banned, but was subsequently released with an "R" rating, provided the title was changed from Pure Shit to Pure S.

He also appeared alongside Bruce Spence in 1976 cult film Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie, playing the part of the cowardly biker (The Lion). The film was an Australian reimagining of classic tale The Wizard of Oz, marketed towards a mid-1970s youth audience.

The following year, Waddell had a role in The FJ Holden (1977) with Sigrid Thornton. Further film credits from this era include 1978 film In Search of Anna, with Chris Haywood and Bill Hunter, and 1980 prison drama Stir (1980), opposite Bryan Brown and Max Phipps.

Waddell later had a role in 2000 crime film Chopper, where he played Kevin Darcy opposite Eric Bana in his award-winning portrayal of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read. His subsequent film credits include Dirty Deeds (2002) with Bryan Brown, Gettin' Square (2003) alongside Sam Worthington and David Wenham. and 2002 political drama Black and White with Colin Friels, Charles Dance and Robert Carlyle.

In 2002, Waddell was nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama, for his role as Steve McClure in an episode of Bad Cop, Bad Cop. He was later nominated for the 2012 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for portraying the neighbour from hell in Rolf de Heer’s 2012 comedy drama film The King is Dead!. The following year, he featured in the film Charlie's Country, as Gaz.

In 2014, Waddell appeared opposite Bryan Brown and Sam Neill in the eight-part drama series Old School.

He later had a role in 2022 psychological crime thriller The Stranger opposite Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.

Waddell's partner was Lou Morris, with whom he had a daughter. The couple moved to Bangalow from Sydney in 2013, after their daughter completed her university studies and moved out of home.

Waddell died after a long illness on 12 October 2026, at the age of 74.