Discover the inspiring journey of Bernard Curry, the Australian actor who turned dreams into a remarkable screen career.
Bernard Curry Early Life and Breakthrough Role in Neighbours
Bernard Curry was born on March 27, 1974, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He grew up alongside his brothers Stephen and Andrew, all of whom pursued acting careers after attending classes at Toorak Players in Glen Iris during the 1980s. Their first taste of the spotlight came through a television commercial for Wedgewood Pies, which opened doors to small television appearances for all three brothers.
Curry's first significant television role arrived in 1993 when he played teenager Michael Logan in the series Snowy. This drama featured a student-teacher romance storyline that showcased his early acting range. His true breakthrough came in 1995 when he joined the main cast of Neighbours as Luke Handley. He remained on this iconic Australian soap opera for just over a year, establishing himself as a familiar face to viewers across the country.
After departing from Neighbours, Bernard Curry continued working steadily on various projects including CrashBurn, Stingers, and Flipside. He also co-wrote and performed in the 2002 ABC sketch comedy series Flipside, demonstrating his versatility beyond acting. His return to Neighbours came in 2005 with a video cameo appearance for the show's 20th anniversary celebration.
From Home and Away to International Success in American Television
In 2009, Curry joined the soap opera Home and Away as regular cast member Hugo Austin. He remained in this role until 2010, appearing in over 420 episodes and becoming one of the show's most recognized characters. During this period, he also hosted the first four seasons of Beauty and the Geek Australia from 2009 to 2012, showcasing his presenting abilities alongside his acting work.
Bernard Curry's international career began in 2012 with guest appearances on several American television series. He appeared as sports agent Jesse Reade in the VH1 series Hit the Floor and had recurring roles in Pretty Little Liars as Jamie Doyle. His fantasy adventure credentials grew with appearances in Once Upon a Time as Captain Liam Jones, a role he reprised across multiple seasons between 2013 and 2016.
Additional guest roles followed in NCIS, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ravenswood, Mistresses, and Blindspot. He also starred in the romantic comedy series Faking It as Principal George Turner, appearing in seven episodes during 2015. These American projects marked a significant expansion of his career beyond Australian television and film.
Wentworth and Recent Projects That Defined His Career
In 2016, Curry joined the cast of Wentworth as corrupt officer Jake Stewart, a role he would play until the show's final season. He revealed that he almost declined the role as he was busy with his career in Los Angeles. However, his close friend Sullivan Stapleton advised him to audition, noting that Wentworth had become increasingly popular with viewers during its first three seasons. Curry has stated that Wentworth was one of the best jobs he has ever had.
From 2019 to 2021, Bernard Curry had a main role as Detective Inspector Kieran Hussey in the Australian and New Zealand television series My Life Is Murder. He appeared in 11 episodes of this popular crime drama. In August 2021, he was announced as a contestant on the celebrity version of Big Brother Australia, lasting twelve days before being evicted in eighth place.
Recent projects include joining the cast of ABC crime drama miniseries Savage River in 2022 as Connor Kirby. He also played Bob in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2023, he filmed the horror comedy teen series Crazy Fun Park, playing Zach Dante across nine episodes.
Personal Life and Advocacy Work Beyond Acting
Bernard Curry is married to Sonya Bohlen, and together they have two sons. In April 2024, Curry and his family moved from Melbourne's Burwood East to Brisbane, Queensland, after his wife secured a position at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. This relocation marked a new chapter in his personal life while he continued pursuing acting opportunities.
Curry is a passionate advocate for mental health and its services. He serves as an ambassador for the mental health charity OneInFive, using his platform to raise awareness about mental health issues in Australia. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he posted a video to Instagram where he and several other prominent Melbourne figures sang a version of Here Comes the Sun to support community spirits during lockdown.
In 2024, Curry was announced as part of the cast for action thriller film The Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky, appearing alongside Liam Neeson. The following year, he and his brother Stephen Curry took part in the celebrity version of The Amazing Race Australia, winning for their chosen charity in October 2025. On February 14, 2026, Curry was named for the film Love, Wine and Valentine, continuing his diverse and enduring career in entertainment.
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