Murray Bartlett

Murray Bartlett (born 20 March 1971) is an Australian actor. He is best known for starring as Armond in the first season of the HBO dark comedy series The White Lotus (2021) for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.He gained further recognition for his role Nick De Noia in the Hulu miniseries Welcome to Chippendales (2022), and Frank in the episode "Long, Long Time" of the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us (2023) and received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for each of his performances.

Murray Bartlett
Bartlett in August 2008
Born (1971-03-20) 20 March 1971 (age 53)
EducationNational Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present

He is known for his roles as Dom Basaluzzo in the HBO comedy-drama series Looking (2014–2015). He is also known for his role as Michael Tolliver in the Netflix revival of Tales of the City (2019), and for starring Vinnie Green in the Apple TV+ series Physical (2021-2023).

Early life

Bartlett was born in Sydney on 20 March 1971.[1] When he was four years old, he moved with his family to Perth.[1] He attended John Curtin College of the Arts in Fremantle, where he graduated from the drama program in 1988.[2] Upon graduating, he was admitted to the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney.[3]

Career

Bartlett pursued an acting career in Australia for several years, including a role in the series headLand. In 1993, he played con man Luke Foster in Neighbours. In 2000, he relocated to the U.S. His first big break there came a few years later when he was cast as a guest star in the HBO series Sex and the City.[4] He also played D.K., John Crichton's best friend, in four episodes of the SciFi Channel series Farscape. In 2006, he joined Hugh Jackman in the Australian touring company production of Jackman's Broadway hit The Boy From Oz.

From March 2007 until the show's cancellation in September 2009, Bartlett was a cast member on the CBS daytime soap opera Guiding Light, where he played Cyrus Foley. He starred as Dominic "Dom" Basaluzzo in the HBO comedy-drama series Looking from 2014 to 2015, and then reprised his role in the series finale television film, Looking: The Movie in 2016.[5][6] In 2017, he portrayed a recurring role in the musical drama series Nashville.[7] Bartlett assumed the central role of Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver in the Netflix revival of Tales of the City.[8]

In 2021, Bartlett starred in The White Lotus as Armond, the luxury resort manager and a recovering drug addict who has been "clean" for 5 years.[9] Bartlett got the role through a self tape audition.[10] For his portrayal, Bartlett received nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Independent Spirit Awards and won at the AACTA Awards, Critics' Choice Television Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards.[11]

In 2023, Bartlett appeared in the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us, portraying Frank in the episode "Long, Long Time". At the time of its airing, the episode received universal acclaim and was widely considered to be the best of the show's first season.[12][13][14][15]

Personal life

Bartlett came out as gay early in his career. When asked about the decision in a 2021 interview, he stated, "I didn't feel like I really had an alternative. I just never felt I could ever be anything but myself."[16] He lives with his partner Matt in Provincetown, Massachusetts.[1]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995Dad and Dave: On Our SelectionSandy Tayler
1999Half MongrelShort film
2000The Three StoogesTrocadera Patron
2001Muffled LoveShort film
2005PostmortemTroyShort film
2007OmJohnShort film
2010Boys on Film 4: Protect Me from What I WantTroyDirect-to-video
2010NeedleTony Martin
2011AugustTroy
2013Girl Most LikelyJames Whitney
2013Kingston AvenueLe copain de Barbara
2015StubbornMurray
2016Roy SpiveyRoy SpiveyShort film
2018Beach HousePaul
2020The Stand InTerry
2024PonyboiBruce
TBAO'DessaPost-production
OpusPost-production
At the SeaFilming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987The Flying DoctorsMichael FreemanEpisode: "The Unluckiest Boy in Town"
1992Home and AwayRandy EvansRecurring role
1992–1993A Country PracticeOwen Wyatt / Richard Welbourne3 episodes
1993NeighboursLuke FosterRecurring role
1995The FeralsDr. Bob IvoryEpisode: "The Dentist"
1996G.P.Episode: "Pendulum"
1996The BeastChristopher LaneTV movie
1997The TowerJeremyTV movie
1997FlipperEpisode: "Help me, Rhonda"
1999Murder CallGavin ToddEpisode: "Dying Day"
1999–2003FarscapeDouglas 'D.K.' Knox4 episodes
2000Above the Law Nathan PetersEpisode: "Happy Families"
2001Flat ChatEpisode: "The Old Flame"
2002Sex and the CityOliver SpencerEpisode: "All That Glitters"
2002McLeod's DaughtersSimon Birch3 episodes
2002The Secret Life of UsNick6 episodes
2002All My ChildrenJulian SinclairSeries regular
2006HeadlandJames Brogan5 episodes
2006All SaintsRoy PickforthEpisode: "The Real Thing"
2007Flight of the ConchordsMarkEpisode: "Sally Returns"
2007–2009Guiding LightCyrus FoleySeries regular
2009White CollarAdrian TulaneEpisode: "Free Fall"
2011DamagesSeth SloanEpisode: "I'd Prefer My Old Office"
2014The Good WifeLoganEpisode: "The Deep Web"
2014–2015LookingDom Basaluzzo16 episodes
2016LimitlessConrad HarrisEpisode: "Hi, My Name Is Rebecca Harris"
2016Looking: The MovieDom BasaluzzoTV movie
2016ConvictionVictor BonottoEpisode: "Pilot"
2017NashvilleJakob Fine2 episodes
2017–2018Iron FistDr. Paul Edmonds3 episodes
2019Tales of the CityMichael "Mouse" TolliverMain cast
2019Madam SecretaryAustralian Prime Minister Chris LawsonEpisode: "The Common Defense"
2021The White LotusArmond[17]Main cast (season 1)
2022PhysicalVinnie Green5 episodes
2022RuPaul's Drag Race Down UnderHimselfEpisode 7
2022The Great NorthCrocodile Rob (voice)Episode: "A Knife to Remember Adventure"
2022–2023Welcome to ChippendalesNick De NoiaMiniseries; main cast
2023The Last of UsFrankEpisode: "Long, Long Time"[18]
2023ExtrapolationsMr. TurnerEpisode: "2070: Ecocide"

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Murray Bartlett
AwardYearCategoryNominated workResultRef.
AACTA International Awards2022Best Actor in a SeriesThe White LotusWon[19]
Critics' Choice Television Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/MiniseriesWon[20]
2023Welcome to ChippendalesNominated[21]
Dorian Awards2023Best Supporting TV Performance – DramaThe Last of UsNominated[22]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology SeriesThe White LotusWon[23]
2023Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or MovieWelcome to ChippendalesNominated[24]
Best Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Last of UsNominated
Independent Spirit Awards2022Best Male Performance in a New Scripted SeriesThe White LotusNominated[25]
2024Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted SeriesThe Last of UsNominated[26]
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieThe White LotusWon[27]
2023Welcome to ChippendalesNominated[28]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Last of UsNominated
Satellite Awards2024Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television FilmThe Last of UsNominated[29]
Screen Actors Guild Awards2022Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television MovieThe White LotusNominated[30]

References