Erik Thomson: Australian TV's favourite dad...

Interview – 2010

From appearing alongside Lucy Lawless and baby 'Stanley' in the 1990s ASB Bank ads, to headlining Australian hit Packed to the Rafters, actor Erik Thomson has built a solid career and a loyal fan base on both sides of the Tasman. Along the way he has appeared in TV shows The Alice and 800 Words, short films (Snap) and movies (We’re Here to Help, Coming Home in the Dark).

In this ScreenTalk interview, Thomson talks about:

Spilling wine on himself on his very first TV shoot on Marlin Bay
Playing an American soldier in Bread and Roses
Bringing a ‘Woody Allen’ touch to playing Hades in both Hercules and Xena
How presenting Australian travel show Getaway was not as glamorous as it sounds
Why Packed to the Rafters was a huge hit due to its "everyman" approach to characters
How a TV critic had to eat his words after claiming the show would not work
Never dreaming of the career path he's had

This video was first uploaded on 17 August 2010, and is available under this Creative Commons licence. This licence is limited to use of ScreenTalk interview footage only and does not apply to any video content and photographs from films, television, music videos, web series and commercials used in the interview.

Interview, Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside

If I was told back then that I would be . . . and having a career with 15 years in Australia and achieving what I’ve achieved, and winning popularity awards, and critical awards at the AFI and stuff — I just wouldn't have believed it.

– (Erik Thompson reflects on how far his career in acting has taken him)

Erik's Full Profile