Damon Herriman began his professional acting career at age ten, securing a role in the drama series The Sullivans after auditioning for Crawford Productions. Born in Adelaide in 1970, he transitioned from a childhood television performer to a versatile actor, screenwriter, and director, building an extensive resume across both Australian and American film and television industries.
Early Television and Career Foundations
The son of Noel and Margaret, Herriman lived in Alice Springs for five years before returning to Adelaide. His father encouraged his early interest in performing, facilitating connections that led to his debut in The Sullivans. Throughout his childhood, he appeared in The Patchwork Hero, Sara Dane, and For The Term of His Natural Life. During his teen years, he briefly shifted to office work as an insurance clerk while continuing to pursue voiceover and guest roles, including a performance in The Flying Doctors that earned him a Penguin Award.
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After playing Mark Jorgensen in the 1990 film The Big Steal, Herriman turned his attention to writing, producing plays like Soar. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 after winning a green card lottery but returned to Sydney shortly thereafter. His career gained momentum with a role in the series Love My Way and a part in the 2005 horror film House of Wax. He later secured recurring roles in American productions such as The Unit, Vegas, and the neo-western series Justified, where he portrayed Dewey Crowe for six years.
Critical Recognition and Diverse Characters
Herriman’s filmography includes a wide variety of roles, ranging from the historical to the criminal. He played Charles Manson twice in 2019, appearing in both Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. His work in Australian productions earned significant acclaim, including an AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Judy and Punch and a Logie Award for his portrayal of Kim Gordon in Secret City. He also played Freddy in Mr Inbetween from 2018 until 2021 and won an AACTA Award for his lead performance in the television movie Riot.
Fast facts
- Born: 31 March 1970, Adelaide
- Citizenship: Australia
- Known for: Dewey Crowe in Justified
- Notable Award: AACTA Award for Best Actor (Judy and Punch)
- Early Role: Frank Errol in The Sullivans
- Occupations: Actor, screenwriter, director, producer, cinematographer
Questions readers ask
Did Damon Herriman play Charles Manson?
Yes, he portrayed Charles Manson twice in 2019, appearing in the series Mindhunter and the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
What early television roles did Herriman have?
His early work included The Sullivans, The Patchwork Hero, Sara Dane, For The Term of His Natural Life, and Taurus Rising.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, cinematographer and screenwriter
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