Leon Burchill is an Australian actor, known for his roles in the films Stone Bros. and Wyrmwood and the television series Redfern Now.
Early life and education Leon Lennon Burchill was born on 24 December 1974 in the Far North Queensland city of Cairns. His parents (including mother Linda) gave him his middle name after John Lennon. His traditional name, 'Jina Binya', means 'sea eagle'. He is one of six, with two sisters and three brothers.
Burchill was the captain of Mosman High School, and grew up with a grounding in traditional dance. He then began studying drama in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney – with the aim of becoming an actor. He went on to attend Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), after being accepted into the school in 2003 on his second attempt, graduating in 2005. He was the only Aboriginal student there at the time.
Outside of acting, Burchill worked at Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens as an Aboriginal education officer, teaching visitors about bush tucker and medicine.
Career Burchill co-starred with Luke Carroll in 2009 Aboriginal Australian stoner road trip comedy film Stone Bros., in the role of Charlie. That same year, he portrayed the recurring character Sid in children's television drama series My Place, based on the award-winning picture book of the same name by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins.
Burchill went on to play the role of Frankie in acclaimed ABC drama series Redfern Now, before playing Benny in 2014 cult zombie action-horror film Wyrmwood.
On stage, Burchill played former AFL player Jim Krakouer in Krakouer! which toured in 2011.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Type Ref. 2009 Stone Bros. Charlie Feature film 2011 The Forgotten Men Bearded Man Short film 2013 Boat People Warrior Arthur / Arthur James Smith III Short film 2014 Wyrmwood Benny Feature film 2017 Wild Squad Adventures Agent Leon Short film 2019 Utopia Businessman (uncredited) Short film Dream Kiss Cry Django's friend Post-production
Television Year Title Role Type Ref. 2009 False Witness (also The Diplomat) The Didgeridoo Busker TV movie My Place Sid 3 episodes 2012 Redfern Now Frankie 1 episode 2019 Les Norton Mumbi 1 episode 2020 Thalu Brother Miniseries, 1 episode 2022 The Australian Wars Dharug Warrior Documentary miniseries, 1 episode
References
External links Leon Burchill interviewed by Jackie Huggins and Peter Read in 1999 for the Seven years on - continuing life histories of Aboriginal leaders oral history project