PROFILE
Charlie is a versatile actor, writer and presenter who has been a fixture on Australian TV for over twenty years.
He first came to attention playing Jake Harrison in the beloved Aussie drama, McLeod’s Daughters. His first lead role came the following year when he played Alex Kirby on the long-running police drama, Blue Heelers, staying on the show for two seasons. He followed it up with lead roles in Neighbours, Canal Road and Satisfaction, before joining the cast of Home and Away as Zac Maguire, the likable but flawed principal of Summer Bay High.
After five years on the hit drama, Charlie took a radical departure when he accepted a role on Stan series Wolf Creek, playing doomed American tourist Danny Michaels. More recently he’s appeared in the family friendly feature film The Curious Case Of Dolphin Bay, the mystery/adventure Darby and Joan starring Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi and will soon be seen in the second series of Netflix’s Surviving Summer and Stan’s sprawling, mega-church drama, Prosper.
When not acting, Charlie can also be seen hosting travel show Getaway on Nine, or as one half of the pioneering podcast network TOFOP with his good mate, Wil Anderson. Together they have created some of Australia’s longest running and most successful comedy podcasts, including TOFOP and the AFL-adjacent 2 GUYS 1 CUP. Their live shows have played to sold out crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, including two nights at the Sydney Opera House as part of Just For Laughs.
In addition to his on-camera and broadcast work, Charlie has a long list of writing and producing credits that includes short films, web series and documentaries. He wrote and produced the award-winning short film, The Wake, which won Best Of The Fest at Palm Springs Film Festival, was nominated for the Jury Prize at Tribeca Film Festival and won the SBS Award for Best Film at St Kilda Film Festival.
His follow up, The Bride, won Best Script at the St Kilda Film Festival the very next year. He wrote, directed and produced the web series Lessons For Life With Alan Mercedes, which won Best Comedy Screenplay at the Webfest Asia Awards and played at festivals all across the world.
Charlie has written two feature films, Blackwood, which was developed in conjunction with Screen Australia and The Junction, which was shortlisted for the Sundance Writers Lab in 2023.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Being A Self-Generator
In this keynote address, Charlie shares his inspiring journey from being in front of the camera to starting his own podcast network and running a production company with his wife. With trademark humour and honesty, he discusses the multifaceted nature of his career, highlighting the challenges and rewards of wearing multiple hats in the entertainment industry. Not only is it entertaining, but there’s lots of practical advice too as Charlie emphasises the importance of adaptability, perseverance and passion, offering valuable insights and advice to aspiring creators on how to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.
The Things You Create And The Relationships You Make
Equal parts funny and heartfelt, Charlie shares a poignant lesson from his dying mother that profoundly shaped his perspective on life, creativity and, of all things, destination weddings. An artist herself, Charlie’s mum believed the only lasting legacies we leave behind are the things we create and the relationships we cultivate. Drawing from this wisdom, Charlie encourages his audience to invest their time and energy into their passions and connections. He uses his personal journey from actor to podcaster and father to illustrate the fulfilment that comes from dedicating oneself to meaningful work and nurturing relationships, inspiring others to prioritise what truly matters in their own lives.
All You Need To Thrive Is Exercise, Therapy & A Boy Band Mystery
A couple years ago when COVID was running rampant, Charlie found himself adapting to a new role as a stay-at-home dad, while also dealing with the devastation of Northern Rivers floods. As stress and anxiety built up, Charlie sought help from a therapist, but it wasn’t until the drive home when Spotify randomly played him a song by ‘90s boy band Five, that things started to change. Charlie disappeared down a Five rabbit hole, discovering that at their peak in 2001, rapper J vanished from the spotlight, with no social media or public presence for over a decade. Why did J turn his back on fame, and why did Charlie care? In this hilarious keynote speech, Charlie talks openly about his mental health struggles, going from cover of Men’s Health one moment, to being knee deep in diapers and baby formula the next, and how help came from the most unlikely of places. While trying to solve the mystery of J, Charlie made some surprising discoveries about himself and he shares these insights on how to live a more balanced life where mental and physical wellbeing have equal priority.
Creating and Sustaining a Successful Podcast Network
Hear from the co-creator of the Everyone Relax podcast network and a pioneer in Australian podcasting, as Charlie shares the inspiring story behind TOFOP, one of the country’s longest-running podcasts. He delves into the rise of podcasting in Australia, illustrating its evolution from niche hobby to mainstream medium. Filled with real life anecdotes and drawing from his extensive experience, Charlie offers valuable strategies for building and maintaining a loyal podcast audience, emphasising the importance of authentic engagement, consistent content, and adapting to listeners’ needs. His insights provide a roadmap for aspiring podcasters aiming to create impactful and enduring shows.
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