Bruce Spence (b. 1945), actor, made his film debut in the title role of Tim Burstall's Stork (1971), its title relating neatly, if coincidentally, to his 2.01m frame. Spence began acting at Melbourne's experimental theatre venue, La Mama, while studying painting and printmaking at the National Gallery Art School. At La Mama he pioneered the role of Morrie in the Graeme Blundell-directed Dimboola; later, he starred in the popular film version of the play. He moved to the Pram Factory in late 1971 in The Feet of Daniel Mannix. The Alchemist, with the South Australian Theatre Company, was his first mainstream production. He spent six months in the cast of the ABC series Certain Women in the mid-1970s. His film credits include The Cars that Ate Paris (1974) Mad Dog Morgan (1976), Eliza Fraser (1976) Newsfront (1978) Mad Max 2 (1981) and The Year my Voice Broke (1987). Spence is the only actor to have appeared in each of the Matrix, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings series of films. In recent years, he has developed a select cult following for his role as the wizard Seddicus in the Legend of the Seeker television series. Spence is a one-time New South Wales State President of Actors' Equity and has lobbied for better conditions in the theatre and film industries.
