Simon Burke
An Australian actor whose career gracefully spans decades, from a groundbreaking child star to a commanding presence in theatre, film, and television.
Born 1961 (age 65)·Australian actor·Birthday: October 8·Baby Boomers
Biography
Simon Burke began his professional life in the spotlight as a teenager, winning an AFI Award for his sensitive performance in 'The Devil's Playground.' That early success set the stage for a remarkably durable and varied career. He never settled into a single niche. On stage, he has been a formidable presence in everything from Shakespeare to contemporary drama, earning Helpmann Awards. Television audiences know him from series like 'Play School,' 'Rake,' and 'The Code,' where he brings a sharp intelligence to every role. With a voice as distinctive as his acting, he's also a sought-after narrator. Burke represents a particular kind of Antipodean artist: versatile, consistent, and deeply respected across all mediums.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Simon was born in 1961, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Simon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1961
#1 Movie
101 Dalmatians
Best Picture
West Side Story
#1 TV Show
Wagon Train
Simon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1961Born
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1966Started school
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1974Became a teenager
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Could drive
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1979Could vote
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Turned 21
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1991Turned 30
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 40
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 50
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 60
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 65 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Actor at age 13 for his role in 'The Devil's Playground' (1976).
- Has won multiple Helpmann Awards for his theatre work, including for 'The Judas Kiss' and 'The History Boys.'
- Served as a longtime presenter on the iconic children's television program 'Play School.'
- Played pivotal roles in acclaimed TV dramas such as 'Rake' and 'The Code.'
Did You Know?
He is openly gay and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
He provided the narration for the Australian version of the children's show 'Thomas & Friends.'
He is a published author, having written a memoir about his early career titled 'A Simple Life.'
“An actor's job is to serve the story, whether it's Shakespeare or a new Australian play.”
