Richard Cawthorne, a renowned Australian actor, made his entrance into the world in Hong Kong during the year 1976, marking the arrival of the youngest sibling in a family of two children. His mother, Zelda, a dedicated and accomplished journalist, had the distinction of working for the esteemed South China Morning Post, a prominent publication in the region. Meanwhile, his father, Russell, held the position of Marketing Executive at Golden Harvest Studios, a highly respected and acclaimed film company in Hong Kong, further solidifying the family's connection to the city's thriving entertainment industry.
After completing his last year of education at a prestigious boarding school in the United Kingdom, Richard made the bold decision to relocate to Australia in the mid-1990s, marking a significant turning point in his life. Prior to his departure, he had received comprehensive training at the renowned St Martins Youth Arts Centre, where he honed his skills and laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Upon arriving in Melbourne, Richard enrolled in the National Theatre's esteemed program, where he had the privilege of studying alongside like-minded individuals who shared his passion for the performing arts. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, Richard dedicated himself to his craft, immersing himself in a rigorous curriculum that challenged him to push the boundaries of his creativity and technical expertise.
Four years of intense study and practice eventually culminated in Richard's graduation from the National Theatre in 1999, a milestone that marked the beginning of his professional journey as a talented and accomplished artist.
Richard's initial foray into the world of television in his native Australia functioned as a precursor to his inaugural semi-regular role as the charismatic and endearing character 'Ruban "Roo" Hausman' on the phenomenally popular Australian soap opera Neighbours, a position he held with distinction from 2004 to 2005.
Richard's professional journey took a significant turn in the year 2003 when he secured the lead role in the independent feature film Razor Eaters, a project that, although it may not have resonated with a broad audience from a commercial standpoint, nonetheless allowed him to hone his craft and showcase his acting prowess to a wider audience.
Fast forward to the year 2005, Richard's dedication to his craft was rewarded with a prestigious accolade - the Best Actor Award at the Shreikfest Film festival in Los Angeles - a testament to the impact his performance had on the critics who had the privilege of watching Razor Eaters.
The recognition he received at Shreikfest served as a milestone in Richard's career, marking a significant turning point in his journey as an actor, and providing him with the motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of his talent and pursue even greater heights of success in the years to come.
Richard garnered the prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award (AACTA) in the year 2012, in recognition of his exceptional and highly-acclaimed performance as Dennis Allan, a notorious and infamous figure from the Australian underworld, in the prime-time drama series Killing Time, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and praise from esteemed critics.
