Russell Kiefel

Australian actor
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroAustralian actor
A.K.A.Russell John Kiefel
A.K.A.Russell John Kiefel
PlacesAustralia
wasActor Film actor Stage actor
Work fieldFilm, TV, Stage & Radio
Gender
Male
Birth1951, Tully, Queensland, Australia
Death2016Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (aged 65 years)
The details

Biography

Russell John Kiefel (1951 – 20 November 2016) was an Australian stage, film and television actor. After graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Kiefel started his screen acting career with a role in the 1977 feature film The Singer and the Dancer. He followed this with roles in Breaker Morant (1980), Twelfth Night (1986), Call Me Mr. Brown (1990) and television film The Leaving of Liverpool (1992). Kiefel appeared in several television dramas, including Home and Away, Fireflies and Stingers. He starred in an episode of Twisted Tales in 1998. Among his various guest appearances were episodes of Wildside, Blue Heelers and Something in the Air. In 2008, Kiefel played Lloyd Ross in Infamous Victory: Ben Chifley's Battle for Coal. He joined the cast of Neighbours in the recurring role of Russell Brennan in 2015.

Kiefel worked with various theatre companies throughout his stage career, appearing in numerous productions. His earliest roles were with the Old Tote Theatre Company. He appeared in both the Australian and American seasons of A Streetcar Named Desire and Travelling North. Kiefel was closely associated with Belvoir and appeared in several productions for them, including Run Rabbit Run and The Blind Giant is Dancing. He starred in the 2009 production of The Alchemist at the Sydney Opera House. Kiefel fell ill while appearing in And I'm the Queen of Sheba at the Browns Mart Theatre in Darwin, and he died on 20 November 2016.

Early life

Kiefel was born in Tully, Queensland in 1951, to Alf, an accountant, and Patsy, a homemaker. He has two younger sisters, including former Chief Justice of Australia Susan Kiefel. After moving to Brisbane, Kiefel attended Sandgate High School. During his teenage years, he became interested in acting and was a member of the La Boite Theatre Company. Kiefel moved to Sydney so he could attend the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and he graduated in 1974.

Career

Theatre

Kiefel was a prolific stage actor and worked with various theatre companies throughout his career, including Sydney Theatre Company (STC), Bell Shakespeare, and Queensland Theatre Company. His earliest roles were with the Old Tote Theatre Company in productions at the Sydney Opera House from 1977. Throughout the 1980s, Kiefel worked with the State Theatre Company of South Australia. He made 13 appearances for the STC. He appeared in Our Town, and the Australian and American seasons of A Streetcar Named Desire and Travelling North. In November 1987, Kiefel played Valantin, alongside Barry Otto, in Egil Kipste's production of Kiss of the Spider Woman for the Nimrod Theatre Company. Kiefel began working with the Queensland Theatre Company in 1988 in productions of Night and Day and The Recruiting Officer. He was also associated with the Belvoir company and appeared in several productions for them, including Ray's Tempest, Stuff Happens, Hamlet, The Power of Yes, The Business and Run Rabbit Run.

While appearing as Surly in the company's 1996 production of The Alchemist, Kiefel had to leave during one show after learning that his wife had gone into labour. His co-star Sam Wilcox took over his role for the second act. Later stage roles saw Kiefel appear in Tom Holloway's And No More Shall We Part for the Griffin Theatre Company. He starred in the 2009 production of The Alchemist at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. This time he played the role of Master Lovewit. In 2016, Kiefel performed in The Blind Giant is Dancing for Belvoir. He had starred in the show three times previously, including the original production in 1983. New play And I'm the Queen of Sheba was Kiefel's final stage performance. It opened at the Browns Mart Theatre on 17 November. Kiefel played the role of Frank and had been involved in the production since April 2016.

Television and film

Kiefel began his screen acting career with a role in Gillian Armstrong's 1977 feature film The Singer and the Dancer. He went on to appear in the 1980 film Breaker Morant, Neil Armfield's 1986 film version of Twelfth Night, Call Me Mr. Brown, which was made in 1985 but not released until 1990, telemovie The Leaving of Liverpool, and comedy drama feature Children of the Revolution. Other film roles included No Escape (1994), Radiance (1998), Dogwatch (1999) and Fresh Air (1999).

Kiefel made numerous recurring and guest appearances in television series, including Wildside, Water Rats, Blue Heelers, Stingers and Something in the Air. He played Roy O'Neale in Home and Away from 1993 to 1994. Following this, he guested in children's science-fiction drama Escape from Jupiter, and joined the cast of Heartbreak High. In 1998, he starred in an episode of the anthology and mystery drama series Twisted Tales, alongside Robert Taylor. Kiefel was part of the ensemble cast of television film The Junction Boys, which centres on the life of American college football coach Bear Bryant. After appearing in the ABC television film Fireflies in 2003, Kiefel was subsequently cast in the lead role of Sharpie in the television series of the same name. In 2008, Kiefel appeared as political adviser Lloyd Ross in the television documentary Infamous Victory: Ben Chifley's Battle for Coal. He was also part of the ensemble cast of the 2014 telemovie Schapelle.

Artist Demian Carey Gibbins painted Kiefel in 2015, and reached the semi-finals of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize with the piece he titled A Familiar Face. From 29 July 2015, Kiefel played the role of Russell Brennan in the television soap opera Neighbours. His character was introduced as the father of the established Brennan brothers, and his arrival started a domestic violence storyline for the family. Kiefel had previously worked as a scriptwriter for the serial in the 1990s. Producers had plans to bring the character back following his initial arc, but they had to change the storyline due to Kiefel's death. They introduced his character's former wife Fay Brennan (played by Zoe Bertram) instead. Kiefel's later television appearances were recurring and guest roles in Tricky Business, Childhood's End and Secret City.

Personal life

Kiefel was married to actress Katrina Foster. The couple had two sons.

Kiefel died on 20 November 2016. He had fallen ill on 18 November, while appearing in a production of And I'm the Queen of Sheba at the Browns Mart Theatre in Darwin. The theatre cancelled the rest of the season out of respect, and later held a memorial for Kiefel on 18 December. Kiefel's former co-stars and friends paid tribute to him on social media. He is survived by his sisters, his wife and sons.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977The Singer and the DancerPete
1980Breaker MorantChristiaan Botha
1986Twelfth NightSea Captain
1990Call Me Mr. BrownRay Poynting
1991The Girl Who Came LateNell's Father
1994No EscapeIceman
1996Children of the RevolutionBarry Rogers
1998RadianceFather Doyle
1999Fresh AirPreacher
1999DogwatchPalmer
2002Queen of the DamnedFire Marshall
2014Son of a GunMick

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978Chopper SquadCliff Hanger
1992The Leaving of LiverpoolBroganTelevision film
1993Police RescuePellegriniEpisode: "Lift Sixteen"
1993–1994Home and AwayRoy O'NealeRecurring role
1994Escape from JupiterGilbertEpisode: "Rescue"
1994–1995Heartbreak HighNorm Rivers
1997Big SkyDetective #1Episode: "The Principal"
1997Blue HeelersMal Truesdale2 episodes
1998Twisted TalesGeorgeEpisode: "A Sure Thing"
1998WildsideDon Kapper3 episodes
1998A Difficult WomanPrime Minister
1999Big SkyRobertsEpisode: "Secrets and Lies"
2000Water RatsLewis West2 episodes
2000Blue HeelersKeith CashellEpisode: "Unfinished Business"
2000SeaChangeIan CameronEpisode: "Love in the Time of Coleridge"
2000–2004StingersAndrew Bligh
2001–2002Something in the AirTas4 episodes
2002The Junction BoysDoake GearhartTelevision film
2004FirefliesSharpie
2006All SaintsIan CosgroveEpisode: "Shadows of the Heart"
2006headLandLionel Travers2 episodes
2006McLeod's DaughtersEric WeatherdonEpisode: "The Legend of Harry Ryan"
2007Murder in the OutbackKesbyTelevision film
2008All SaintsLennyEpisode: "Comfort Zone"
2008Infamous Victory: Ben Chifley's Battle for CoalLloyd RossTelevision documentary
2009Chandon PicturesWarwick4 episodes
2009A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline ByrneJohn AbernethyTelevision film
2010Underbelly: The Golden MileMel MalEpisode: "The Crucible"
2010RakeWarwick TorrensEpisode: "R vs Langhorn"
2011SpiritedEngineerEpisode: "I'll Close My Eyes"
2012Tricky BusinessHugh Goodman5 episodes
2014SchapelleMalcolm McCauley
2015NeighboursRussell BrennanRecurring role
2015Childhood's EndSheriff De Bont2 episodes
2016Secret CityOlmstead3 episodes

Theatre

YearTitleRoleType
Travelling NorthSTC
1971The Rose and the RingTwelfth Night Theatre
1971The Measures Taken / The Real Inspector HoundTwelfth Night Theatre
1972Sadie and Neco / In His Own Write / Allergy / Stay Where You AreJane Street Theatre
1972Spitting ImageJane Street Theatre
1973Romeo and JulietNIDA Theatre
1973SavedNational Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
1973He Who Gets SlappedNIDA Theatre
1974The MiserNIDA Theatre
1974The Poets of PleasureNIDA Theatre
1974The Merchant of VeniceNIDA Theatre
1974Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'beNIDA Theatre
1977Twelfth NightNimrod Upstairs
1977The TempestSydney Opera House
1978Black ComedySydney Opera House
1978The MisanthropeSydney Opera House
1981No Names ... No Pack DrillPlayhouse, Newcastle
1981LuluPlayhouse Adelaide, Sydney Opera House
1982A Midsummer Night's DreamPlayhouse Adelaide
1982SpellboundPlayhouse Adelaide
1982Mother Courage and Her ChildrenPlayhouse Adelaide
1982Silver LiningPlayhouse Adelaide
1982The Prince of HomburgPlayhouse Adelaide
1982Lighthouse PlayreadingPlayhouse Adelaide
1982Royal ShowPlayhouse Adelaide
1983Twelfth NightPlayhouse Adelaide
1983Blood WeddingPlayhouse Adelaide
1983A Midsummer Night's DreamKeith Michell Theatre, SA
1983-84NetherwoodPlayhouse Adelaide, Seymour Centre
1983The Marriage of FigaroPlayhouse Adelaide
1983Pal JoeyPlayhouse Adelaide
1983The Blind Giant is DancingPlayhouse Adelaide
1983SunrisePlayhouse Adelaide
1984Beach Blanket TempestNorth Queensland tour, Araluen Arts Centre, Playhouse Adelaide, Canberra Theatre Centre
1984Key LargoNorth Queensland tour
1984Don's PartyNorth Queensland tour
1984The Season at SarsaparillaPlayhouse Adelaide
1985The Doll Trilogy: Kid Stakes / Other Times / Summer of the Seventeenth DollSydney Opera House, Melbourne Athenaeum
1986Dreams in an Empty CityPlayhouse Adelaide
1986Are You Lonesome Tonight?Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Festival Theatre Adelaide
1987The Winter's TalePlayhouse Adelaide
1987Kiss of the Spider WomanValantinSeymour Centre with Nimrod Theatre Company
1988Hedda GablerPrincess Theatre, Woolloongabba
1988The Lady AoiPrincess Theatre, Woolloongabba
1988Night and DaySuncorp Theatre, Brisbane with QTC
1988The Recruiting OfficerAlbert Park Amphitheatre, Brisbane with QTC
1989Major BarbaraPlayhouse Adelaide, Suncorp Theatre Brisbane
1989MirandaLa Boite Theatre
1989Popular FrontPrincess Theatre, Woolloongabba
1989GhostsCremorne Theatre
1989The Taming of the ShrewSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane
1990The TempestBelvoir Street Theatre
1991The Revenger's TragedySydney Opera House
1991Racing DemonWharf Theatre
1991King GolgruthaPlayhouse Adelaide
1992Shadow and SplendourSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane
1992A Cheery SoulSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane
1992Twelfth NightSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane
1992Hotel SorrentoCremorne Theatre
1994King LearSydney Opera House
1994PassionStables Theatre
1994The Night of the Missing BridegroomStables Theatre
1994Love Seen in LaundromatStables Theatre
1994BarefootStables Theatre
1995HamletSpace Theatre Adelaide, Playhouse Melbourne
1995Sydney Stories 1: The Ninth Wonder / The Price of Prayer / The Last Days of a Famous Mime / Family Running for Mr. WhippyWharf Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
1995Saint JoanSydney Opera House
1995The Blind Giant is DancingBelvoir Street Theatre
1995The TempestSpace Theatre, Adelaide
1996SimpaticoSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane
1996Adult RecreationMetro Arts, Brisbane
1996The AlchemistSurlyBelvoir Street Theatre
1997Don's PartyPlayhouse Adelaide
1998King LearPlayhouse Canberra, Melbourne Athenaeum, Playhouse Brisbane, Sydney Opera House
1999MacbethSydney Opera House
2001The Prodigal Son / InsoucianceMalthouse Theatre
2001NowhereMalthouse Theatre
2002MacbethWharf Theatre
2003RabbitStables Theatre
2004Run Rabbit RunBelvoir Theatre Company
2004Our Lady of SligoBelvoir Street Theatre
2004The SpookBelvoir Street Theatre, Glen Street Theatre, Playhouse Brisbane
2005Ray's TempestBelvoir Theatre Company
2005Stuff HappensSeymour Centre, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with Belvoir Theatre Company
2006Under IceWharf Theatre
2006American BuffaloBille Brown Studio, Brisbane
2007The Gates of EgyptBelvoir Street Theatre
2007Self-EsteemWharf Theatre
2007King TideStables Theatre
2008HamletSydney Opera House, Playhouse Melbourne
2009The AlchemistMaster LovewitSydney Opera House, Playhouse Brisbane, Canberra Theatre Centre, His Majesty's Theatre Perth
2009A Streetcar Named DesireJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn Academy of Music with STC
2010The Power of YesBelvoir Theatre Company
2010Our TownSydney Opera House with STC
2011The BusinessBelvoir Theatre Company
2011And No More Shall We PartStables Theatre with Griffin Theatre Company
2012Buried CityBelvoir Street Theatre
2013The Table of KnowledgeHopgood Theatre Adelaide, Lennox Theatre Parramatta, Butter Factory Theatre Wodonga, Belvoir Street Theatre
2016The Blind Giant is DancingBelvoir Theatre Company
2017And I'm the Queen of ShebaFrankBrowns Mart Theatre, Darwin

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