Andrew McFarlane

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Birthday:

6 June 1951, Albany, Western Australia, Australia

Height:

185 cm

Veteran actor Andrew McFarlane was born in Albany, Western Australia, but grew up on a cattle station in Queensland. As a young adult, he studied law for a year in Melbourne, then turned to horticulture, and eventually decided on a career in acting. After graduating from the NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in 1973, he was almost immediately cast in Crawford's drama series "Division 4." A prominent role on "The Sullivans" soon followed.McFarlane was among the original cast of "The Flying Doctors," one of Australia's most successful drama series to date. When he left the show mid-season, mainly to concentrate on theater work, the ratings dropped considerably. During his break from the series, Andrew starred opposite John Waters in the feature film "Boulvard of Broken Dreams." He also enjoyed a year off from his career, while living in London. In 1989, McFarlane returned to "The Flying Doctors," reprising his role as Dr. Tom Callaghan for a another year.Andrew McFarlane's movie credits include the dramatic thriller "Little White Lies" opposite Mimi Rogers, the aforementioned "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," ABC's "I Can't Get Stared," and the more recent "Heroes' Mountain." Television appearances include roles on "Halifax f.p," "Paradise Beach," "Water Rats," "Blue Healers" and "All Saints." McFarlane's most recent work include starring roles on "The Alice," and on the long-running classic, Australian soap "Neighbours." Andrew has also been a regular presenter on "Play School," a children's television show, for many years. He also has extensive credits in theatre, and has appeared in numerous productions, on some of Australia's largest stages.Also an aspiring writer, Andrew McFarlane currently resides in Sydney, Australia. Show less «

As a kid I didn't think of becoming an actor, there were much more important things to consider: a life as a missionary for instance; an exp...Show more »

As a kid I didn't think of becoming an actor, there were much more important things to consider: a life as a missionary for instance; an explorer, a doctor, an Egyptologist, a diplomat, an army officer, a magician. Some years later, half way through an Arts/Law course at Monash University, I realized I could fulfill all these ambitions and not waste years in tiresome solitude studying in darkened libraries or being shackled to some thankless apprenticeship... I could become an actor. The irony that I would spend the next three years of my life living/ eating/ sleeping basically nothing but the rudiments of my chosen career was entirely lost on me.Since completing the 3 yr. course at NIDA I've lived through the First & Second World Wars, commanded an Australian Navy Patrol Boat, been a doctor in the Outback, a policeman, a lawyer, a hypnotherapist, an explorer, an American, a Frenchman, an Englishman, an Elizabethan, a scientist, a poet, a pirate and plenty of others as well. Show less «

They say actors never grow up; that we're just adolescents always pretending. I don't think so. I think it's just that we try not to forget ...Show more »

They say actors never grow up; that we're just adolescents always pretending. I don't think so. I think it's just that we try not to forget what every part of our lives was like; each experience, all the feelings; the happy, the sad, the carefree, the tragic. It's sort of a reference library of emotions to be borrowed from for every new role. Show less «

I do like fully understanding a role, then playing it from deep within. Maybe sometimes I get it so understated it becomes a blur. You can't...Show more »

I do like fully understanding a role, then playing it from deep within. Maybe sometimes I get it so understated it becomes a blur. You can't hide mistakes. Something happens when you are doing film. The camera is rolling and pointing at you, and it draws something from within. It's like some kind of electrical charge going through you and you really feel yourself being sucked into the lens. There is a saying "That the camera steals your soul". I try to get to the soul of the character I'm playing. Show less «

He's a well-rounded character. He makes mistakes. He's impatient and he gets frustrated and he hates being in the outback. He's not that sym...Show more »

He's a well-rounded character. He makes mistakes. He's impatient and he gets frustrated and he hates being in the outback. He's not that sympathetic to begin with, although I think I could have played him more anti-sympathetic. I probably should have. On Tom Callaghan, his character on "The Flying Doctors". Show less «

On being a gay actor in the theatre world: There's no issues about that whatsoever. Film and TV can be different because I think they are mu...Show more »

On being a gay actor in the theatre world: There's no issues about that whatsoever. Film and TV can be different because I think they are much more conscious about image, about selling something. That's where conflict might come in. They can also think 'Wow what about that straight actor playing a gay character - what an incredible piece of acting work', but there must be innumerable gay and lesbian actors playing straight their whole career and they are not getting awards. Show less «

The thing that stays with me about The Flying Doctors and it always has, is that it was the friendliest best group of people I've worked wit...Show more »

The thing that stays with me about The Flying Doctors and it always has, is that it was the friendliest best group of people I've worked with ever, we had the best fun. Show less «