Jonathan Biggins

OAM
Born
Jonathan Martin Biggins

(1960-09-14) 14 September 1960
Newcastle, Australia
EducationNewcastle Boys High School
Alma materUniversity of Newcastle
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • singer
  • director
  • comedian
SpouseElaine Smith
Children2

Jonathan Martin Biggins OAM (born 14 September 1960) is an Australian actor, singer, writer, director and comedian. He has appeared on film, stage and television as well as in satirical sketch comedy television programmes.

Early life

Biggins was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, and attended Newcastle Boys' High School in the mid-1970s. He said that it was "a fairly intimidating place to be if you weren't great at sports or maths. However once [I] joined the debating team, and went on to win the state finals, things started looking up."[1]

Career

Film

Biggins' film appearances include Thank God He Met Lizzie, Gettin' Square and A Few Best Men.

Television

His television appearances include The Dingo Principle and Three Men and a Baby Grand, satirical sketch television comedy programmes (for which he was a writer/performer with Phillip Scott and Drew Forsythe).

Jonathan has been seen on TV as a recurring guest panellist on Spicks and Specks.[2]

Hosting

Biggins has hosted the afternoon radio shift for Sydney's 702.

He presented the art panel programme Critical Mass. He hosted the New Year's Eve Gala Concert in 2010 at the Sydney Opera House, and An Audience with Stephen Sondheim (nominated for a 2008 Helpmann Award for Best Special event).

He has hosted the AFI Awards, APRA Awards, Helpmann Awards, Parramatta Riverside's 20th Anniversary Gala, national and international conferences for AMP. He has also made appearances for KPMG, ICI, Commonwealth Bank, ABN-AMRO and the Art Gallery of NSW.[3]

Stage

Biggins' has performed in numerous stage productions, as actor, singer, comedian and MC.

Theatre credits include The Importance of Being Earnest (as John Worthing, replacing Geoffrey Rush), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Orpheus in the Underworld. He starred as Peter Sellers in Ying Tong, a play about Spike Milligan and The Goons, which was an Australian-wide hit. He has appeared on stage consistently over the years with the Wharf Revue.

He also performed in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas Ruddigore and The Mikado.[4]

Writing/directing

Biggins has directed the Wharf Revue since 2000. In 2004 Jonathan co-wrote and directed The Republic of Myopia for Sydney Theatre Company. He directed the Australian production of Avenue Q (2009–10). He also co-wrote, with Phillip Scott, some of the dialogue for The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular, a stage musical based on the poem "The Man from Snowy River".

He has written for the Sydney Morning Herald weekly magazine Good Weekend.,[5] Australian Wine Selector and is the author of four books, including The 700 Habits of Highly Ineffective People.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Type
1987Those Dear DepartedSergeant SteveFeature film
1987I've Come About the SuicideBell-hopTV movie
1988The Clean MachineBank Clerk TV movie
1991The Private War of Lucinda SmithPrivate MurryTV movie
1992The Importance of Being EarnestJohn WorthingTV movie
1996The Munsters' Scary Little ChristmasSpooky Onlooker #2TV movie
1997Thank God He Met LizzieDarrenFeature film
2003Gettin' SquareRichard Dent QCFeature film
2010Odd SocksNarratorShort film
2011The White GuardThe HetmanFeature film
2011A Few Best MenJim RammeFeature film
2015Manny LewisRay McKeeFeature film

Television

Year Title Role Type
1985Green HillTV children's series
1986The Lancaster Miller AffairHardcastleTV miniseries, 3 episodes
1986-87A Country PracticeGraham BiggsTV series, 8 episodes
1987The Mike Walsh ShowTV variety series
1987Pigs Will Fly
1987Rafferty's RulesAngus MacLeanTV series, 1 episode
1987The Dingo PrincipleVarious charactersTV sketch series (also writer)
1989Swap ShopTV children's series
1989Bangkok HiltonO'KeefeTV miniseries, 1 episode
1989-90The Monkey or the Gun
1990The Party MachineVarious charactersTV series, 3 episodes (also writer)
1993ReviewReporter / PresenterTV series
1993-95World Series DebatingSelfTV series, 2 episodes
1990–92; 1995The InvestigatorsTV series
1994Three Men and a Baby GrandVarious charactersTV sketch series, 10 episodes (also writer)
1996-97Good News WeekGuestTV series, 2 episodes
1997Fallen AngelsBarristerTV episode
1999Noah's ArkFirst PriestTV miniseries
1999-2000AFI AwardsHostTV special
2001Flat ChatDuncanTV series, 1 episode
2003-04Critical MassHostTV series
2005-08Spicks and SpecksGuest panellistTV series, 4 episodes
2007City HomicideJames BradwellTV series, 1 episode
2009My PlaceRace CallerTV series
2010RakeMartinTV series, season 1, episode 6
2010New Year's Eve Gala Concert at the Sydney Opera HouseHostTV special
2011The JestersRupert BaxterTV series, season 2, 1 episode
2011At Home with JuliaPaul Keating / Tony JonesTV series, 3 episodes
2012RandlingSelfTV series, 5 episodes
2017Drop Dead WeirdHarry StylesTV series, 1 episode
2020Back to the RaftersCharles WhitemanTV series
2023The MessengerFather Terence O'ReillyTV miniseries, 5 episodes

[7]

Theatre

Year Title Role Company / Venue
1969Twelfth NightHunter Valley Theatre Co
1974Quality StreetYoung Peoples' Theatre, Hamilton
1974The Beggar's OperaNewcastle
1976EquusGriffith Duncan Theatre for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1979FlexitimeNewcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1980A Toast to MelbaUniversity of Newcastle
1980The Star Show: Tonite Heroes, Tomorrow ForgottenCivic Playhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1980The Threepenny OperaHunter Valley Theatre Co
1981Treasure IslandFort Scratchley, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumNewcastle Civic Theatre for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981No Names ... No Pack DrillPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981Hay FeverPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981The Playboy of the Western WorldPlayhouse, Newcastle & Seymour Centre for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981Habeus CorpusPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981Essington Lewis: I Am WorkCivic Playhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1981Hamlet on IceFanny's Theatre Restaurant, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1982Tom SawyerHunter Valley Theatre Co
1982West Side StoryHunter Valley Theatre Co
1982Big RiverSingleton & Playhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1982MacbethHunter Valley Theatre Co
1982Forget-Me-Not LanePlayhouse, Newcastle
1982The Man from MukinupinPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1982Rookery NookPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1982The Venetian TwinsPlayhouse Theatre Co, Newcastle
1983In the Field Where They Buried Peter PanPlayhouse Theatre Co, Newcastle
1983MonstersplashCaptainInner City Theatre Co
1983It's My Party!NeilInner City Theatre Co
1984Oz Duz NZ! - Bert and MaisyTomStables Theatre
1985A Bed of RosesStables Theatre
1985Private LivesVictorPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1985TommyVarious charactersNewcastle Panthers for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1985Blithe SpiritCivic Playhouse, Newcastle
1985-86Essington Lewis: I Am WorkVarious charactersStables Theatre & Playhouse, Adelaide for STCSA
1986Pearls Before SwineCubby MaisonetteBelvoir St Theatre, Seymour Centre & Universal Theatre
1986The Last Wake at She-Oak CreekYoumg Chookie Greene / JackStables Theatre for Griffin Theatre Company
1986TarantaraVarious charactersQ Theatre Co
1988Manning Clark's History of Australia: The MusicalVarious charactersPrincess Theatre (Melbourne)
1988-89Living in the SeventiesSeymour Centre & Studio Theatre, Melbourne
1989Summer RainClarrieSydney Opera House for Sydney Theatre Company
1990The Venetian TwinsLelioQueensland Theatre Company, University of Sydney & Playhouse, Melbourne
1991Three Men and a Baby GrandTilbury Hotel, Playhouse Newcastle, Fairfax Studio & Edinburgh Fringe Festival (also writer)
1992The Importance of Being EarnestJohn WorthingTheatre Royal, Sydney & Melbourne Theatre Company
1992The Barber of SevilleFigaroMarian Street Theatre
1993Three Men and a Baby GrandSpace Cabaret, Adelaide
1993Three Men and a Baby Grand TooTilbury Hotel, Woolloomooloo
1993Comedy Festival Debate: Television is Bad for YouMelbourne Athenaeum
1993Abbie and Lou, Norman and RoseNormanPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1994A Midsummer Night's DreamBottomPlayhouse, Newcastle for Hunter Valley Theatre Co
1995It's My Party (and I'll Die If I Want To)UndertakerGlen Street Theatre for Malcom Cooke & Associates
1995How the Other Half LovesWilliam FeatherstoneMarian Street Theatre
1995RuddigoreRobin OakappleVictorian State Opera at State Theatre, Melbourne
1996Quartermaine's TermsDerek MeadleMarian Street Theatre
1996Tilbury Hotel 10th Anniversary GalaTilbury Hotel
1997-98Essington Lewis: I Am WorkVarious charactersNewcastle Civic Theatre & Belvoir Street Theatre
1997-98Abroad with Two MenCDP Australian tour
1998-99A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumHysteriumEssgee Productions Australian tour
1999The MikadoKokoFestival Theatre, Adelaide
2000The Unofficial Visitors Guide to AustraliaWharf Revue for Wharf 2 Theatre
2000The End of the Wharf As We Know ItWharf Revue for Sydney Theatre Company
2000Sunday in Iraq with George: A Shock 'n' Awe-full ShowWharf Revue at Wharf 2 Theatre
2001The Best Bits of That Broad and Those MenGlen Street Theatre
2001Free Petrol!Wharf Revue at Wharf 2 Theatre for Sydney Theatre Company
2001Free Petrol Too!Wharf Revue at Wharf 2 Theatre for Sydney Theatre Company
2002SoulmatesGregAustralian tour
2002Much Revue About NothingWharf Revue for Wharf 2 Theatre
2003Sunday in Iraq with GeorgeWharf Revue for Sydney Theatre Company
2003Orpheus in the UnderworldJohn Styx (Singer)Opera Australia at State Theatre, Melbourne & Sydney Opera House
2004The MikadoKokoState Opera of South Australia, Opera Queensland & Sydney Opera House
2004Fast and LooseWharf Revue at Glen Street Theatre for Sydney Theatre Company
2005Concert for Tax ReliefWharf Revue at Wharf 2 Theatre
2005Die FledermausFroschOpera Australia
2005Stuff All HappensWharf Revue Australian tour
2006Best We ForgetWharf Revue at Wharf 2 Theatre for Sydney Theatre Company[8]
2006Revue Sans FrontieresPaul Keating & various charactersThe Wharf Revue at Lennox Theatre, Parramatta, Wharf 2 Theatre & Adelaide Cabaret Festival
2007An Audience with Stephen SondheimHost/MCTheatre Royal, Sydney
2007-08Ying Tong: A Walk With the GoonsPeter SellersSydney Theatre Company Australian tour
2008Futures SummitBell Shakespeare Company
2007-08Beware of the DogmaPaul KeatingThe Wharf Revue Australian tour[9]
2008Waiting for GarnautWharf Revue at Wharf 1 Theatre, Casula Powerhouse for Sydney Theatre Company
2009TravestiesHenry CarrSydney Opera House
2009Christmas at the HouseHost/MCSydney Opera House for Opera Australia
2009-10Pennies from KevinPaul Keating / Gough Whitlam / Pope RatzingerThe Wharf Revue Australian tour[10]
2010APRA AwardsHostXYZ Networks
2010Not Quite Out of the WoodsTony Jones / Bob BrownWharf Revue Sydney Theatre Company Australian tour
2011The White GuardHerman / CobblerSydney Theatre
2011Debt Defying ActsLord Mayor Clover Moore & various charactersWharf Revue Australian tour
2011–13, 2015-16New Years' Eve Gala ConcertHostOpera Australia
2013Whoops!Sir Petulant PyneWharf Revue Australian tour
2014The Happy Ending (Workshop)Opera Australia
2014Helpmann AwardsCo-host
2014Open for BusinessPaul KeatingWharf Revue Australian tour
2015Premier's Senior Week Gala ConcertVenables Creating Entertainment
2015Celebrating 15 YearsWharf Revue Australian tour
2016Back to Bite YouTony Abbott (Antonius Abbottus) / Donald Trump / Mathias CormannWharf Revue at Wharf 1 Theatre for Sydney Theatre Company
2016-20Great Opera HitsHostOpera Australia
2017The Patriotic RagDonald TrumpWharf Revue at The Playhouse, Canberra for Sydney Theatre Company
2018The Wharf Revue 2018Wharf Revue Australian tour
2019-20No Cabaret for Old MenSeymour Centre for Sydney International Cabaret Festival & Riverside Theatres Parramatta
2019Krapp’s Last TapeKrappOld Fitzroy Theatre for Red Line Productions[11]
2020Celebrating 15 YearsWharf Revue Online - Australia
2020Good Night and Good LuckCoronavirusWharf Revue for Sydney Theatre Company
2020-21Keating: The Gospel According to PaulPaul KeatingSir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide, Majestic Cinemas, NSW & Riverside Theatres Parramatta for Soft Tread Enterprises[12]
2022Can of WormsDonald Trump / Mark LathamWharf Revue for Sydney Theatre Company Australian tour[13]
2022Looking for AlbaneseJim Chalmers / The Grim Reaper / Clive Palmer / King Charles III / Paul KeatingWharf Revue at Seymour Centre[14]
2023Pride in PrejudiceWharf Revue at Seymour Centre[15]

[16][17][18]

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Award Category Result
2000 Jonathan Biggins Mo Awards Male Comedy Performer of the Year[19] Won
2010 Avenue Q Helpmann Award Best Direction of a Musical Won
2021 Jonathan Biggins Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours Service to the performing arts through theatre[20] Won

Personal life

He is married to Australian actress Elaine Smith, best known as Daphne Clarke in the soap opera Neighbours. He and Smith have twin daughters born in February 2000.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Q&A. Panellist: Jonathan Biggins". Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Jonathan Biggins".
  3. ↑ "Jonathan Biggins".
  4. ↑ https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/2452<
  5. ↑ https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/2452<
  6. ↑ "Jonathan Biggins".
  7. ↑ https://cdn.showcast.com.au/actor-pdfs/f6425b24-8c65-47ff-b7bd-72c200cc2e4d.pdf
  8. ↑ "Not enough fang to give this night the right bite". 20 June 2006.
  9. ↑ "Beware of the Dogma". 19 November 2007.
  10. ↑ https://www.australianstage.com.au/200911233017/reviews/sydney/pennies-from-kevin-%7C-the-wharf-revue.html
  11. ↑ "Krapp's Last Tape | Stage Noise - Diana Simmonds".
  12. ↑ "The Gospel According to Paul".
  13. ↑ "The Wharf Revue: CAN OF WORMS".
  14. ↑ "Theatre review: The Wharf Revue: Looking for Albanese, QPAC". 24 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice".
  16. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050618231524/http://queenslandmusicfestival.com.au/01_cms/details.asp?k_id=143
  17. ↑ https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/2452
  18. ↑ https://cdn.showcast.com.au/actor-pdfs/f6425b24-8c65-47ff-b7bd-72c200cc2e4d.pdf
  19. ↑ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "Queen's Birthday 2021 Honours – the full list". Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  21. ↑ Suzy Freeman-Greene (24 October 2009). "Bit parts for parents". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
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