Simon Baker

Infobox actor
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name = Simon Baker

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birthname = Simon Baker-Denny
birthdate = birth date and age|1969|07|30
location = Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = Actor
spouse = Rebecca Rigg (1998-present)
awards = Family Television Awards for Best Actor
2002 "The Guardian"
Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent
1993 "E Street"

Simon Baker (born 30 July 1969) is an Australian film and television actor.

Biography

Early life

Baker was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, the son of Elizabeth Labberton, a high school English teacher, and Barry Baker, a groundskeeper and mechanic. Baker, then known as Simon Denny, grew up in the Northern NSW village of Lennox Head and attended Ballina High School, graduating in 1987. He moved to Sydney to study nursing however didn't complete his degree as he caught the acting bug when he tagged along to an audition with a friend. [http://www.filmreference.com/film/55/Simon-Baker.html Simon Baker Biography (1969-) ] ] Baker was raised Catholic. [ [http://www.3blackchicks.com/2006reviews/somethingnew/simonbakerinterview.html 3BlackChicks Review&#153... SOMETHING NEW - The Interviews (The Diva) ] ] He emigrated to the United States in 1995.

Career

Baker was a champion sportsman who competed at state level in surfing and water polo. He began acting on Australian television during the late 1980s using the name "Simon Baker Denny". He first appeared in music video clips for Melissa Tkautz ("Read My Lips") and Aussie dance outfit Euphoria ("Love You Right") in 1991 before appearing in the successful series "E Street", "Home and Away" and "Heartbreak High". Baker relocated to the U.S. where he was occasionally known by his stepfather's surname (as Simon Baker-Denny or Simon Denny).

He was cast in a small but important part as a young would-be actor in "L.A. Confidential", which led to further opportunities in supporting roles in films. In 2000 he played an astronaut in "Red Planet" with Val Kilmer, Carrie Anne Moss and Benjamin Bratt. He played the male lead in the television series "The Guardian" for three seasons beginning in 2001, and also appeared in "The Affair of the Necklace". He played a distressed husband in 2004's "Book of Love". In 2005, he starred as an altruistic hero in George A. Romero's "Land of the Dead".

In 2006, he played Brian Kelly in the film "Something New", writer Christian Thompson in "The Devil Wears Prada" and had a leading role as Jeff in the short-lived television series "Smith". That following year, he was cast as Roderick Blank in "Sex and Death 101".

In 2008 Baker received the lead role in the CBS television series "The Mentalist" where he plays an extremely intelligent and observational detective.

Personal life

Baker is married to Australian actress Rebecca Rigg, and they have three children: Stella, Claude and Harry. Simon and his family resided until recently in Malibu, California, before temporarily moving back to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. They have since returned to Los Angeles.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Australian Film Institute Awards
*2000: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Telefeature or Mini-Series" - "Secret Men's Business"

Family Television Awards
*2002: Won, "Best Actor" - "The Guardian"

Golden Globe Awards
*2002: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic Television Series" - "The Guardian"

Logie Awards
*1993: Won, "Most Popular New Talent" - "E Street"
*2004: Nominated, "Most Popular Overseas Star"

Prism Awards
*2005: Nominated, "Best Performance in a Drama Series Storyline" - "The Guardian"

References

External links

*imdb name|0048932
* [http://www.afc.gov.au/faqs/osaustralians/actors/simon_baker.aspx Simon Baker - Australian Film Commission]
* [http://www.femail.com.au/simon_baker_the_guardian.htm Simon Baker interview - "The Guardian"]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/22/1053196674398.html Simon Baker - "The Guardian"]
* [http://www.femail.com.au/simon-baker-land-of-the-dead.htm Simon Baker interview - "Land of the Dead" website]
* [http://au.movies.yahoo.com/Simon+Baker/biography/54918/milestones/ Simon Baker milestones]
* [http://www.mook-e.com/bio/baker.htm Simon Baker Bio]