This article is about the actor. For the theologian, see David Wenham (Theologian).
David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in movies, television series and theatre productions.
Wenham was born in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia to Kath and Bill Wenham. He has five older sisters, Maree, Kathy, Helen, Carmel and Anne, and an older brother, Peter. Wenham was raised in the Catholic religion and attended Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham. He worked as a bingo caller and an insurance clerk before becoming successful as an actor.
Wenham's television credits include several telemovies, such as his AFI award winning role in the 1996 telemovie Simone de Beauvoir's Babies; and his role as the outwardly laid back but deeply enigmatic diver Dan Della Bosca in the 1998 and 1999 seasons of the highly successful ABC television series SeaChange. His role as "Diver Dan" has made the actor something of a sex symbol, although he dislikes thinking of himself as such, and he has been voted Australia's "sexiest man alive".[citation needed] A portrait of Wenham by artist Adam Cullen won the Archibald Prize in 2000.
In film, Wenham seems to have been more successful in Australia than abroad. Australian films Wenham has starred in include the critically acclaimed The Boys (1998) based on the play of the same name premiered at Griffin Theatre Company and in turn based on the Anita Cobby murder; Molokai (1999), based on the life of Father Damien; The Bank (2001); Gettin' Square (2003) and Three Dollars (2005). Wenham has periodically appeared in Hollywood films. The film role for which he is most known for worldwide is the fictional character Faramir, son of Denethor, in New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Wenham jokes that he was cast in The Lord of the Rings because of his resemblance to his on-screen brother, Sean Bean. As he notes, they both have big noses. Has appeared with two of 2001's Best Supporting Actor Nominees. That year's winner was Jim Broadbent, with whom he appeared in Moulin Rouge. The other was Ian McKellen, who reprised his Oscar-nominated role opposite Wenham in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
He was also seen in Van Helsing playing Hugh Jackman's sidekick, Friar Carl. His character, Dilios, narrated and appeared in the movie 300. Minor roles of Wenham's in overseas films include in The Crocodile Hunter as a park ranger, and briefly in Moulin Rouge! as Audrey. Wenham stars in the music video for Alex Lloyd's single "Brand New Day".
He has one daughter, Eliza Jane, with his longtime girlfriend, Kate Agnew. His nickname, "Daisy", originates from his childhood. His sisters called him Dais or Daze for short. Then someone added a "y" and the rest is history.
Wenham read a poem by Rupert McCall at the memorial service for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. The poem was entitled "The Crocodiles are Crying".
In 1999, he presented the Village Roadshow Pictures Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role.
