John Brumpton (born 28 July 1958) is an Australian actor who has appeared in a large number of local productions.
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Early life
Brumpton grew up in Sydney, attending Blacktown High School. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1982, before relocating to Darwin to work as a surveyor. He then took a surveying job in the Australian Capital Territory in 1984.
In 1985, Brumpton was the Australian (full contact) Kung Fu Champion as well as representing Australia in Amateur Boxing at the prestigious Kings Cup tournament in Thailand.
Brumpton studied at Theatre ACT when he lived in Canberra. He then moved to Melbourne in 1986 and Brumpton was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts to train as an actor, but several weeks was invited him to come back. He completed the course, graduating in December 1988.
Career
Film and television
After starring in his friend, director Lawrence Johnston's debut film Night Out in 1990, Brumpton's breakthrough role came as Magoo in 1992 drama film Romper Stomper, alongside Russell Crowe and Jacqueline McKenzie. After hearing about the project, he rang writer-director Geoffrey Wright, only to be told that the film was fully cast, but a few weeks later he scored a role.
In 1995, Brumpton had a recurring role as Officer Gilbert in ABC series Correlli, starring Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman in his breakthrough role. That same year, Brumpton co-wrote and had his first starring role in 1996 feature film Life, an adaptation of his play, Containment. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1996 Australian Film Institute Awards. Life also won the International Critics Prize at the 1996 Toronto International Film Festival and had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
Brumpton's second film in a leading role, Dance Me to My Song (1998) in which he played Eddie, was screened in competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. In 1999, he played the lead role of Detective Robbie Walsh in the film Redball. The film won the Gold Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Film at the Chicago Underground Film Festival 1999 and was the first digital film produced in Australia.
In 2003, Brumpton appeared opposite Colin Friels as Andy in the made for television film BlackJack: Murder Archive, reprising the role in the second of the film series BlackJack: Ace Point Game in 2005. From 2005 to 2006, he played the recurring role of Ben Wilde in short-lived drama series HeadLand. He also had a recurring role as George in 2006 miniseries RAN Remote Area Nurse.
Brumpton's short film script William (2007) received production co-funding from the Australian Film Commission and Film Victoria's 2005 Short Film Fund. It was the only Australian short film selected to screen at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. From 2007 to 2008, he had a recurring guest role as Hunt in the first season of East West 101. In 2008, he played Vince Love in the debut season of underworld crime series Underbelly. The following year, he played the regular role of Bryan Dougherty in ensemble drama series Tangle, for Showcase.
Theatre
Brumpton has performed in stage productions for Melbourne Theatre Company, Playbox Theatre and Jigsaw Theatre Company.
His play It Ain't Rehabilitation It's Containment was staged to sold out audiences at Melbourne's La Mama in 1991.
