Damian Hill

Damian Hill was born in 1976 or 1975. His father, who was a surgeon, died when Damian was only a year old. His mother grew up in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Footscray, and Hill later moved there. He attended both "fancy" private schools, including Wesley College, and public schools, and found himself liking working-class people. He also did a masters degree in screenwriting at VCA. ==Career==

After graduating, he travelled overseas for sometime and worked in other countries, before returning to Melbourne and founding the Frank Theatre Company. The film was highly praised by critics David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz. His final appearances in feature films were in *Locusts (2019) and Slam (2018). Hill said in a 2015 interview: "I'm always attracted to the underdog, or the person who's got the rough deal". According to his brother, Hill "wanted to tell the stories of ordinary Australians, of working-class people – real stories, messy stories, uncomfortable stories, of forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, stuffing-up". ==Nominations and awards==

• 2016: Nominated, AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for Pawno • 2016: Nominated, AACTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, for Pawno • 2018: Nominated, AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for West of Sunshine ==Death and legacy==

Hill died on 22 September 2018, The Damian Hill Independent Film was awarded at the 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival in his honour. The 2020 film Measure for Measure, which Hill contributed to writing, was dedicated to him. ==Personal life==

Hill was the father of two children and stepfather of three. His partner of eight years was Beth, a graphic designer and former tattoo artist. Hill got his first tattoo aged 15 years and many more in ensuing years. His brother is Australian Labor Party politician Julian Hill, Member of Parliament for Bruce. ==Filmography==

TV • Nowhere Boys (2016) TV series – Stuart (3 episodes) • Neighbours (2014) TV series – Stephen Montague (6 episodes) • Winners & Losers (2014) TV series – Ant Richards (1 episode) • The Broken Shore (2013) TV movie – Vincent • Rush (2010) TV series – Dane Heinz (1 episode) • City Homicide (2010) TV series – Dale Blunt (1 episode) • ''McLeod's Daughters'' (2003) TV series – Mounted Police Officer (1 episode) Film • Locusts (2019) – Davo • Slam (2018) – Shane • West of Sunshine (2018) – Jimmy • The Menkoff Method (2016) – Karaoke Operator • Spin Out (2016) – Spike • The Death and Life of Otto Bloom (2016) – Bob • Broke (2016) – Lionel • Pawno (2015) – Danny Williams • Fell (2014) – Kelly • Model Behaviour (2013) – Roy Lambasto ==References==