Australian actor, director and screenwriter Steve Vidler

Steve Vidler is an Australian actor, screenwriter and director known for his versatile and accomplished career in film and television. Some of Vidler’s notable acting roles include films such as Robbery Under Arms (1985), Dogwatch (1999), and Two Hands (1999). He also had roles in TV series like “Home and Away” and the BAFTA award winning British series “Jeopardy”.

We’ve not seen Vidler as an actor in a movie since 2007, or on television since 2014, but he is still very busy behind the scenes as a screenwriter, director and script consultant. Steve Vidler’s company Sidekick Pictures is based in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Steve Vidler is a versatile writer who has contributed to both television and film projects, collaborating with prominent companies such as See Pictures, ABC, Southern Star, Fox, Palm Beach Pictures, and Fremantle Media.

His work has garnered recognition, receiving nominations and awards, including AFIs, AWGIEs, and Logies.

Beyond his on-screen endeavours, Steve has extended his expertise as a script assessor, consultant, and Project Officer for organisations such as Screen Australia, AFC, NSWFTO, and Screen Tasmania, as well as independently on various film, television, and interactive media ventures.

Many of the projects and writers he has collaborated with have achieved both national and international acclaim. Notably, Steve contributed as a story consultant and script editor to the innovative VR project, VRNoir, produced by StartVR and AFTRS.

Steve Vidler is busy developing a not-for-profit organisation aimed at fostering connections between screen creatives, climate experts, and communities to produce compelling climate advocacy content.

Steve Vidler biography

Steve Vidler was born in Sydney, Australia on 9 August 1960. He developed a passion for acting at a young age and pursued formal training in the dramatic arts in the 1980’s, honing his skills at the time that the Australian film industry was coming of age.

Mr Vidler has taken his film education seriously, graduating from the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1983 with a bachelors degree in dramatic art & acting. Vidler continued his education, photographed here at NIDA in 1985 doing an Actor-Director Relationship course, run in collaboration with AFTRS.

Steve Vidler’s research PhD in screenwriting delves into the realm of cognitive neuroscience to understand viewer engagement with screen stories, and “comes in handy occasionally” according to his website.

Standing Up For Sunny (2019)

“Standing Up For Sunny” (2019) with a screenplay and direction by Steven Vidler, premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and won the Best Indie Film Award at the 2020 AACTA Awards. The film features a cast led by RJ Mitte, Sam Reid, and Matt Nable. It tells the story of an isolated man living with cerebral palsy who is unexpectedly drawn into assisting a timid comedienne. Through the world of stand-up comedy, he discovers not only love but also a newfound sense of acceptance.

Blackrock (1997)

Steve Vidler made his feature film directorial debut with the 1997 film “Blackrock” (1997), an Australian teen drama-thriller film produced by David Elfick and Catherine Knapman.

“Blackrock” opened at Sundance Film Festival, and it attained two Australian Writer’s Guild Awards while also earning five AFI award nominations, including Best Film.

The screenplay was adapted from Enright’s own play of the same name, which drew inspiration from the tragic murder of Leigh Leigh.

The film’s cast includes Laurence Breuls, Simon Lyndon, Linda Cropper, and notably features the first credited film appearance of Heath Ledger.

Two Hands (1999)

Steve Vidler, in the role of The Man, played alongside Heath Ledger in his breakthrough movie Two Hands which rightly won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film in 1999.

Ledger was just 19 years old when he starred in the role as Jimmy, a not so innocent bouncer in Kings Cross who is blamed for the theft of $10,000 that he was delivering for underworld boss, Pando played by Bryan Brown.

Rose Byrne, also still in her teens, plays Jimmy’s love interest. Ledger and Byrne went on to have stella careers in Hollywood.

This is an excellent film “in the gritty tradition of Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill”, two of Tarantino’s finest.

“The best Australian movie I’ve ever seen, even better than Tarantino,” said our proofreader!

A Difficult Woman (1998)

“A Difficult Woman” (1998) clinched the Silver World Medal for the best mini-series at the New York Festivals. This three-part series featured Caroline Goodall in the lead role, portraying a woman who is resolute in uncovering the reasons behind her best friend’s murder. The series directed by Tony Tilse, was co-written by Nicholas Hammond and Steven Vidler for Southern Star and the ABC. A modified four part version was broadcast in the United States in 2020.

Dogwatch (1999)

Adrift in hostile waters during the final brutal conflicts of the Triad societies after their expulsion from mainland China, Captain William is at rock bottom. With a shadowy history, a struggle with alcohol, and a dubious task at hand, William has agreed to sink the Arabella for an insurance scam. This is a narrative of men cast adrift on the unforgiving open sea, fighting for their very survival.

The cast included Steven Vidler as The Captain, Russell Kiefel, John Brumpton, Richard Carter and Joel Edgerton.

Jeopardy (BBC TV series)

“Jeopardy” was a science fiction drama series for children, spanning three seasons from 2002 to 2005. The show was broadcast on ABC in Australia. In 2002, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honored the first season with the award for Best Children’s Drama.

“Jeopardy” follows the journey of the Falkirk Academy UFO Club, eight high school students and their teacher (played by Steve Vidler) from Scotland, who embark on a quest to the Australian wilderness in search of UFOs. Armed with camcorders to document potential sightings, the series heavily relies on ‘found’ footage, seemingly captured by the characters themselves.

Home and Away (2007-2008)

Steve Vidler played Noel Anderson, a character central to a nefarious sub-plot in Home Away that took 23 episodes to play out.

The adventures of the residents of Summer Bay have graced our our television screens since Home and Away began in 1988. The TV series has been sold to over eighty countries around the world, making it one of Australia’s most successful media exports. In Australia, Home and Away is the most awarded program at the Logie Awards, with a total of forty-nine wins.

Awards and Recognition: Throughout his career, Steve Vidler received critical acclaim for his acting skills and contributions to the entertainment industry. His work has earned him recognition among peers and audiences alike.

Vidler’s career continued to evolve, and he remains active in the entertainment industry well into the 21st century.

Steve Vidler’s filmography includes a diverse array of roles in both film and television productions. Here is a selection of his film roles and contributions:

Filmography

1. The Blood of Others (1984) – Autre Manifestant
2. Displaced Persons (1984) – Alexander (TV Movie)
3. Robbery Under Arms (1985) – Dick Marston
4. The Good Wife (1987) – Sugar Hills (Also known as “The Umbrella Woman”)
5. The Perfectionist (1987) – Erik (TV Movie)
6. Incident at Raven’s Gate (1988) – Eddie
7. Outback (1989) – Jack Donaghue (Also known as “Minnamurra”)
8. Harbour Beat (1990) – Lance Cooper
9. Desperate Journey: The Allison Wilcox Story (1993) – Lieutenant Commander Jack Harkin
10. No Worries (1994) – Gary Hay
11. Napoleon (1995) – Snake/Galah/Mouse
12. The Territorians (1996) – Robert McCabe
13. The Thin Red Line (1998) – 2nd Lieutenant Gore
14. Two Hands (1999) – The Man
15. Dog Watch (1999) – The Captain
16. The Love of Lionel’s Life (2000) – Robbie (TV Movie)
17. Finding Hope (2001) – Nobby
18. Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story (2001) – Darryl Zanuck (TV Movie)
19. Blonde (2001) – Warren (TV Movie)
20. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002) – Deputy Director Ansell
21. A Ring of Endless Light (2002) – Mr. Gray
22. Bad Eggs (2003) – Pendlebury
23. The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004) – Richard Gregson (TV Movie)
24. Through My Eyes (2004) – Inspector Graeme Charlwood
25. Small Claims (2004) – Ross (TV Movie)
26. See No Evil (2006) – Williams
27. The Home Song Stories (2007) – Bill
28. See No Evil 2 (2007) – Williams

Steve Vidler’s filmography reflects his versatility as an actor and his contributions to both Australian and international cinema.

Television:

Steve Vidler’s television career encompasses a wide range of roles in various series and miniseries.

Steve Vidler’s television work showcases his ability to take on a variety of roles in different series, making him a prominent figure in Australian television.

Here is a condensed list of his many television credits:

1. The Dunera Boys (1985) – Tropp (Miniseries)
2. A Country Practice (1991) – Phillip Dalton (2 episodes)
3. G.P. (1991) – Doug (1 episode)
4. Bony (1991) – Jackson (1 episode)
5. Heartland (1991) – Phil McCarthy (6 episodes)
6. Frankie’s House (1992) – Steve Cotler
7. Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1995) – Daniel Larson (1 episode)
8. Janus (1995) – Danny Wyatt (4 episodes)
9. Halifax f.p. (1995) – Steve Kingsley (1 episode)
10. Police Rescue (1995) – Scuderi (1 episode)
11. State Coroner (1997) – Salmon (1 episode)
12. Big Sky (1997) – Cameron (1 episode)
13. The Day of the Roses (1998) – Dick Lamb (Miniseries)
14. Wildside (1998) – Trevor Kierney (1 episode)
15. Water Rats (1999) – Brian Geary (1 episode)
16. Stingers (1999) – Todd Tregear (1 episode)
17. SeaChange (1999) – The Ghost (1 episode)
18. MDA (1999) – Nick Clarke (3 episodes)
19. Young Lions (1999) – Sergeant Brian Graham (1 episode)
20. Salem’s Lot (2004) – Sheriff Parkins (Miniseries)
21. Jeopardy (2005) – Gerry Simmons (19 episodes)
22. Love My Way (2006) – Steven (9 episodes)
23. McLeod’s Daughters (2006) – Hugh Doyle (1 episode)
24. Home and Away (2007-2008) – Noel Anderson (23 episodes)
25. Satisfaction (2009) – Terence (3 episodes)
26. Underbelly (2012) – Police Commander (8 episodes)
27. Packed to the Rafters (2013) – Mark Mackey (3 episodes)
28. Dance Academy (2013) – Neil Webster (8 episodes)
29. Rake (2014) – NSW Premier (3 episodes)

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