Aborigine actor Ngoombujarra dies

20 July 2011 Last updated at 09:16 GMT David Ngoombujarra appeared in Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles opposite Paul Hogan David Ngoombujarra, one of Australia's best-known Aborigine actors, has died aged 44.

The Australia and Rabbit Proof Fence actor was found dead in a park on Sunday in Fremantle, near Perth. Police said his death was not suspicious.

The three-time Australian Film Institute winner was also in movies including Blackfellas and Ned Kelly.

Australia co-star Hugh Jackman paid tribute to "an extraordinary man, actor and friend".

"So saddened to hear about the passing of David Ngoombujarra. His laugh, warmth and humanity will live on with all who knew him," Jackman wrote on Twitter.

Born in Meekatharra, West Australia, Ngoombujarra was one of thousands of Aboriginal children handed over to white families under Australian government assimilation policies.

He was adopted by a white family in Perth, as David Bernard Starr, before becoming one of the country's best-known indigenous actors.

He won his first AFI award in 1993 for his role in the gritty urban drama Blackfellas.

He was awarded a second in 2003 for Black and White in which he played an Aborigine convicted of killing a young white girl.

And, in 2007, he won a third for a guest role in Australian TV legal drama The Circuit.

His other films included Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles and Kangaroo Jack.

View the original article here

Timelords competing for best actor prize

David Tennant finished playing the role of Doctor Who last New Year's Day Two Doctor Who actors will go head to head at this year's TV Choice Awards.

Matt Smith is nominated in the best actor category for his role as the timelord and David Tennant, who finished playing the role last year, is nominated for BBC drama Single Father.

They are both up against Merlin star Colin Morgan and Benedict Cumberbatch from Sherlock.

There's also a nomination for one of the doctor's most popular sidekicks, Elisabeth Sladen, who died this year.

The actress, who joined the programme in 1973, played Sarah Jane Smith and was given her own spin-off series in 2007, the Sarah Jane Adventures.

She is nominated for best actress and is up against the current doctor's companion Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond.

Also nominated are Waterloo Road's Amanda Burton and Vicky McClure, who won a TV Bafta for her role as Lol in This Is England '86 earlier this year.

The controversial baby swap story in EastEnders is nominated for the best soap storyline against Coronation Street's 50th anniversary tram crash.

The shows nominated for best new drama are ITV1's Downton Abbey, Channel 5's zombie drama The Walking Dead, and BBC One's Sherlock and Single Father.

Channel 4 gets three out of four nominations for best drama series with Glee, Misfits and Shameless with the last one going to BBC Three's Being Human.

BBC One picks ups all four nods for best family drama with Casualty, Doctor Who, Merlin and Waterloo Road nominated.

There will also be another appearance on the red carpet for the stars of The Only Way Is Essex with the show nominated for best reality show.

The awards take place on 13 September and will be hosted by Ben Miller.

View the original article here

Actor David Suchet collects CBE

22 June 2011 Last updated at 15:02 GMT Actors David Suchet and Harriet Walter are honoured for their services to British drama

Actor David Suchet, best known for playing Agatha Christie's great detective Hercule Poirot, has collected his CBE from the Prince of Wales.

The 65-year-old, who was honoured for his services to drama at Buckingham Palace, said the medal was "a very great honour".

Harriet Walter was invested as a dame, also for her services to drama.

The actress, who has had a successful career on both the stage and screen, said: "My heart's fluttering."

Dame Harriet was joined by her new husband, US actor Guy Paul, whom she married five weeks ago.

"I think actors feel they've got to keep proving themselves and that they haven't quite made it," she said.

"This makes you feel settled and that all your work has been noticed. To have a solid medal in your hands is quite nice."

The actress cited playing Cleopatra with the Royal Shakespeare Company as one her highlights so far.

She also starred in the 2006 film Babel and in 2007's Atonement in 2007.

'Lifelong dream'

Suchet has had a long and varied career on British TV, including roles in The Way We Live Now and ITV's Henry VIII opposite Ray Winstone.

The star has been nominated for Olivier and Tony Awards for his stage work, more notably for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer's Amadeus.

Dame Harriet Walter has had a long and varied career

"I've had a fantastic career. Although I will be remembered for Poirot I have never been typecast," he said.

"I'm very rarely me. I'm a character actor and that's the joy and the challenge."

The actor admitted he was hoping to fulfil a "lifelong dream" to film the remaining Agatha Christie's Poirot novels.

"I have done all but five of the stories. My lifelong dream will be releasing the Poirot boxset of all the novels she wrote.

"It may happen. There's a green light flickering and I'm waiting for it to be steady. It may be next autumn."

View the original article here