Kerry Walker

❧

Wikipedia

Kerry Walker
Born
Kerry Ann Walker

(1948-02-29) 29 February 1948 (age 77)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
EducationNational Institute of Dramatic Art (1974)[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1977–present

Kerry Ann Walker AM (born 29 February 1948) is an Australian actress.[2] She has had a lengthy career on both stage and screen.[3] She was nominated for the AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role three times, in 1985 for Bliss, 1986 for Twelfth Night[4] and in 1993 for The Piano.[5]

Early life

Walker began studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA),[6] in 1972,[7] and graduated in 1974.[1] Upon graduation, she was told she "would not succeed as an actor because of her looks."[8]

Career

Theatre

Walker made her professional theatre debut in a production of Romeo and Juliet with The Australian Ballet.[6] After a stint with the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Theatre-in-Education program, she spent 1976 with the newly-formed Hunter Valley Theatre Company. She ultimately returned to Sydney, continuing her stage career with performances at Marian Street Theatre, Jane Street Theatre, the Old Tote Theatre Company and Nimrod.[6]

After being cast in the lead of 1977 film The Night the Prowler in 1977, Walker became the muse of writer Patrick White, (Australia's only recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature),[6][9] She was in the original cast of three of his plays, Signal Driver (1982), Netherwood (1983), and Shepherd on the Rocks (1987), which he wrote specifically for her.[9][6] The first two plays debuted with the State Theatre Company of South Australia, where Walker was a member of Jim Sharman’s Lighthouse ensemble[6] from 1982 to 1983.[10] White also cast her in major revivals of The Ham Funeral and A Cheery Soul and wrote an unperformed play sequence for her, entitled Four Love Songs.[9]

More recently, Walker has performed in Life Without Me (2010) The Man from Mukinupin (2009), The Hypocrite (2008), The Madwoman of Chaillot (2007), A Hard God (2006) and The Unexpected Man (2000).

She has served on the boards of Belvoir Street Theatre / Company B.[6]

Film and television

Walker's film credits include 1985 arthouse classic Bliss, Jane Campion’s award-winning 1993 period drama The Piano, opposite Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel, and 1996 comedy drama Cosi (based on Louis Nowra’s play of the same name), alongside Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths.[6] At the turn of the century, she appeared in the historical comedy drama The Dish with Sam Neill, and coming-of-age film Looking for Alibrandi with Anthony LaPaglia and Pia Miranda.[6] Next came Baz Luhrmann's 2001 musical spectacle Moulin Rouge! (2001), opposite Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, followed by The Home Song Stories (2007) and Luhrmann epic Australia (2008), alongside Kidman[6] and Hugh Jackman.

Walker's numerous television credits include the 1990 miniseries Come in Spinner (based on the 1951 novel of the same name by Dymphna Cusack), and the 1991 Australian-British co-produced miniseries The Leaving of Liverpool.[6] She had a regular role in Grass Roots in 2003 and also appeared in Rake (2008) with Richard Roxburgh.[6]

Depictions in art

Stuart Campbell's photographic portrait of Walker is held in the National Portrait Gallery.[11]

Awards and accolades

Walker has been the recipient of numerous awards and nominations. These include Green Room Awards for Best Actress for Pack of Lies and Knuckledusters: The Jewels of Edith Sitwell (the latter of which she both wrote and performed) and several AFI Awards. She was also granted an Australian Artists Creative Fellowship.[6]

Walker was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1994 for her "service to the performing arts".[12]

Awards, nominations and honours

Year Work Award Category Result
1985BlissAFI AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleNominated
1986Twelfth NightNominated
Pack of LiesGreen Room AwardsBest ActressWon
1989Knuckledusters: The Jewels of Edith SitwellWon
1993The PianoAFI AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleNominated
1994Kerry WalkerMember of the Order of AustraliaService to the Performing ArtsHonoured
2012Killing TimeEquity Ensemble AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries or TelemovieNominated

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1977The Singer and the DancerRose Buckley
1978The Night the ProwlerFelicity Bannister
1983Double DealSibyl Anderson
1985BlissAlice Dalton
1986Twelfth NightFeste
1987BullseyeMrs Gootch
1990Wendy Cracked a Walnut (aka Almost)Deirdre
1992The Girl Who Came Late (aka Daydream Believer)Aunt Vera
1993The PianoAunt Morag
1994TalkVoice of the Witnesses
1995BabeSheep (voice)
1996CosiSandra Russell
1997Road to NhillAlison
1998A Little Bit of SoulEugenie Mason
1999Holy Smoke!Puss
2000Looking for AlibrandiSister Louise (Nun)
The DishPearl
2001Moulin Rouge!Marie
2002SwayGreta
2003Peter PanMiss Fulsom
2006SoloUniversity Supervisor
2007Lens Love StorySusanShort film
The Home Song StoriesNorma
2008AustraliaMyrtle Allsop
2011A Heartbeat AwayDawn
2014Cut SnakeMrs Farrell
2015Holding the ManLibrarian in lift

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1986Studio 861 episode
1987Poor Man's OrangeMiss MoonMiniseries, 2 episodes
VietnamDinner guestMiniseries, 1 episode
1988AustraliansMrs DarcyMiniseries, 1 episode
1990Come in SpinnerMrs MolesworthMiniseries, 4 episodes
WinnersMrs Marsland1 episode
The Ham FuneralAlma LustyTV movie
1991The Last CropAnn SweeneyTV movie
1991; 1992; 1996G.P.Lorraine Ferguson / Joan Brodie3 episodes
1993Under the Skin1 episode
The Leaving of LiverpoolMrs DunneTV movie
1994HeartlandSylvia2 episodes
1996After the BeepMary Donnelly7 episodes

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1974Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'BeNIDA[13]
The Merchant of Venice[13]
The Miser[13]
1975Theatre-in-Education (collection of three plays)Member of ensembleMTC[13]
What Means These Bones?Various charactersAustralian Theatre[13]
1976A Happy and Holy OccasionBrenda MulcahyHunter Valley Theatre Company[14][13]
Four on the FloorCabaret[13]
BedfellowsCarol Cummins[13]
Hamlet on IceHamlet[13]
EquusHesther Salomon[13]
The Floating WorldIrene Harding[15][8][13]
The Glass MenagerieLaura Wingfield[13]
1977The AlchemistDame PliantNIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney with Old Tote Theatre Company[16][13]
ConfusionsVarious charactersMarian St Theatre, Sydney[13]
1978As You Like ItAudrey / Le BeauJane St Theatre, Sydney[13][14][16]
Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage[13]
Gone with HardyNellieNimrod St Theatre, Sydney[13][14]
1978–1979Romeo and JulietThe Nurse Nimrod St Theatre, Sydney, University of Western Australia[8][13]
On Our SelectionMother Rudd / Mrs WhiteAustralian National Playwrights Conference, Nimrod St Theatre, Sydney with NIDA / Jane St Theatre[17][13]
1979Upside Down at the Bottom of the WorldFreida LawrenceNimrod St Theatre, Sydney[13]
BritannicusAgrippinaSeymour Centre, Sydney[16][13]
Beauty and the BeastFelicitySTC[14][13]
1980Measure for MeasureIsabellaA Shakespeare Company[8][13]
The Two Gentlemen of VeronaSpeed[13]
The House of the Deaf ManNimrod St Theatre, Sydney[13]
1981PinballMiriam / Vandaloupe[13]
The Eyes of the WhitesMoira[16][13]
LuluCountess GeshwitzSTC / STCSA[13][14][16]
1982The Prince of HomburgThe Electress of HomburgSTCSA[13]
SpellboundMargaret Mitchell[13]
Royal ShowMember of ensemble[13]
Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage[13]
Silver LiningOlga[13]
Signal DriverIvy Vokes / Second beingPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA/ Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney[14][8][13]
A Midsummer Night's DreamTom Snout / MothSTCSA[13]
1983The Blind Giant is DancingEileen FitzgeraldPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA / Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney[13][14][10][16]
Pal JoeyGladys BumpsSTCSA[13]
The Marriage of FigaroMarcelline[16] l[13][10]
Blood WeddingMother-in-law[16][13]
SunrisePeg Sheldon[13]
1983; 1984Twelfth NightFesteSTCSA & Sydney Festival[13]
NetherwoodMog Figg[16][8][13]
1984Pack of LiesBarbaraRussell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC[18][13]
The Threepenny OperaPirate JennyPlayhouse Theatre, Melbourne with MTC[15][13]
Henry and Peter and Henry and MeLouisa LawsonAustralian National Playwrights Conference & American International Playwright's Conference, Connecticut[14][13]
1985Signal DriverIvy VokesBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[13]
VisionsMadame LynchMTC[14][13]
Your Tribe and My TribeNarratorSydney Opera House[13]
A Midsummer Night's DreamTitania / HippolytaMTC / STCSA[13][14]
1987The Country WifeLady FidgetSydney Opera House with STC[14][16][13]
Shepherd on the RocksQueenieSTCSA for Adelaide Festival[14][13]
The Popular MechanicalsTom SnoutBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[14][16][13]
1988My Sister in This HouseMadameSeymour Centre, Sydney with Wilson Morley[13] l[14]
Serious MoneyMarylou Baines / Mrs Etherington / Dolcie StarrRussell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC, Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [10][13]
1989The Ham FuneralAlma LustyWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[16][8][13]
Knuckledusters: The Jewels of Edith SitwellEdith SitwellBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B with Sydney Festival, Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC[14][13]
1990Rome Tremble—Crumbs from a Feast of CallasEvangelica Callas / Elsa Maxwell / Tina Onassis / AnninaWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13]
The Development SiteVarious charactersSTC[13]
1991FuriousAlison / Bonny / Kathleen / DelegateWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13]
The Government InspectorAnna AndreyevnaSydney Opera House with STC[13]
The Royal Commission into the Australian EconomyClerk of the courtBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[16][13]
1992The Girl Who Saw EverythingLizWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13]
The Popular MechanicalsTom Snout / Duchess of ShaftonBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[13]
1993Top GirlsIsabella Bird / Joyce / Mrs. KiddWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13][16]
The VisitProfessorSydney Opera House with STC[13][16]
1994FuriousAlison / Bonny / Kathleen / DelegateSTC, The Space, Adelaide for Adelaide Festival, Playbox Theatre, Melbourne[13][19][16]
1995The Blind Giant Is DancingEileen FitzgeraldBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[13]
1996WaspThe Cowboy / Mom / The Magician's Assistant[13][16]
Riders in the ChariotMrs. Jolley[13]
1997JerusalemVivien RickmanMerlyn Theatre, Melbourne, Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13][20]
The TempestGonzaloCanberra Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Atheneum with Bell Shakespeare[16][13]
1998The MirageSTC[13]
1999The Talented Mr RipleyEmily Greenleaf / Aunt DottiePlayhouse, Melbourne with MTC[21][13]
Thunder RockMiss KirbySTC[13]
Pride and PrejudiceMrs. BennetPlayhouse, Melbourne with MTC, Sydney Opera House with STC[16][13]
2000Blithe SpiritMadame ArcatiPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA[13][22]
The Unexpected ManMartheBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B, Victorian Arts Centre with MTC for Melbourne International Arts Festival[10]
2000–2001A Cheery SoulMrs. Hibble / Mrs. BleekerSydney Opera House with STC, Australian National Playwrights Conference[13]
2001Holy DayNoraMerlyn Theatre, Melbourne, STCSA[10][23][13]
2003A Derelict WomanDerelict WomanThe Studio / New Music Network[13]
2004; 2005The SpookTrixie / PhyllisBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, QTC[24][13]
2006StickybrickSMember of ensembleSydney Festival with Big hART
A Hard GodMonica Cassidy / Sophia CassidyWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC[13]
Radio HolidayMelbourne International Arts Festival / Big hART[13]
2007Drive In HolidayBetty / Crystal / MusicianTen Days on the Island, Tasmania / Big hART[13]
The Madwoman of ChaillotJosephinePlayhouse, Melbourne with MYC[25][13]
2008The Wiredancer's WaltzInga HeffernanNational Play Festival, Brisbane[13][25]
Australian GothicSonya AugustNational Play Festival[13]
The Hypocrite[25]
2009The Man from MukinupinEdie PerkinsBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney / MTC[26]
2010Life Without Me[14]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Threepenny Opera". Theatregold. 7 September 2025.
  2. ↑ Kent, Simon (26 May 1991), "Oh, but it's good to be back home", The Sun-Herald
  3. ↑ Hallett, Bryce (21 March 2009), "Never far from home", The Sydney Morning Herald
  4. ↑ Eccles, Jeremy (27 January 1988), "Rejecting the sins of typecasting", The Sydney Morning Herald
  5. ↑ Barber, Lynden (29 July 1993), "Piano dominates AFI list", The Sydney Morning Herald
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Kerry Walker AM b. 1948". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "A Chance Gathering of Strays: the Australian theatre family" (PDF). University of Sydney. 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pender, Anne (2012). "Kerry Walker, Patrick White and the Faces of Australian Modernism". www.revistes.ub.edu.
  9. 1 2 3 Yeo, Samuel. "People and pets". Patrick White Catalogue. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Serious Money". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Kerry Walker, c. 1979". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Kerry Ann Walker". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 "Walker, Kerry 1948-". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Knuckledusters". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  15. 1 2 "The Threepenny Opera". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Pride and Prejudice". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "On Our Selection". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Pack of Lies". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "Furious". Malthouse Theatre. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Jerusalem". Malthouse Theatre. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "The Talented Mr Ripley". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Blithe Spirit". Theatregold. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Holy Day". Malthouse Theatre. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "The Spook". Theatregold. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  25. 1 2 3
  26. ↑ "The Man from Mukinupin". Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney. Retrieved 8 September 2025.