Steve Peacocke

Short Biography

Stephen James Peac*cke, was born (October 30th, 1981) and raised in Dubbo, New South Wales.Son of Gareth and Sylvia, Steve was born at Dubbo Base Hospital and attended public schools in South Dubbo before completing his secondary education at The Scots College.His natural knack for impersonations and performing, led his older brother Frank to suggest pursing acting – and at 16 Steve knew that was what he wanted to do.“We’d just watched Braveheart when he suggested ‘Why don’t you do that?’ Steve reveals. “And literally, from the second it came out of his mouth, I didn’t stop thinking about becoming an actor. It was bizarre.”At 18, Steve followed the path of his older brother and spent a year working as a Jackeroo at a sheep and cattle station in Burke. He later swapped the bush for the university and studied communications in Newcastle.Steve has always been a keen rugby player, but he gave up the sport after 19 straight seasons and many injuries including broken ribs, shoulder, arm, and hand and having his front teeth knocked out. Still, the 30 year olds lifelong passion for the sport hasn’t wavered.A blessing in disguise, it was while injured from rugby, Steve auditioned for a play and ended up performing in numerous Newcastle University Conservatorium Theatre Productions.A somewhat late bloomer in the acting world, Steve spent most of his early 20′s working as a labourer – spending his days “moving heavy stuff from A to B” – while performing in plays at night. “I’d grab a cup of tea before work and then go over my lines and do plays at night” Steve explains.In 2004, Steve was awarded a City of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for his portrayal of Ricko in Nick Enright’s A Property of the Clan. Steve then went onto work with playwright/director Augusta Supple on several productions including Stories from the 428 and Brand Spanking New. On his theatre experience Steve says “I fell in with good people and kept learning on the job in front of an audience.”It was while performing on stage in Western Sydney that he met his girlfriend of five years, actress Bridgette Sneddon . “She’s my best mate and a bloody good sort!”With the continued support and encouragement from his loved ones, Steve decided to continue pursuing a career in acting – even when he was struggling to pay the bills. “I’ve done a lot of crap jobs in my life, so when you get a job like this, you think how bloody lucky you are. I worked for $3 an hour as a jackaroo in shearing sheds and stockyards and mustering sheep and cattle. That was unreal because it taught me about hard work.” He adds “I also unloaded freight trucks for three years. I’d take an acting text to work with me and read it. Or I’d read an acting book, like Stella Adler (legendary acting teacher), and mull over it for the six hours I was at work unloading trucks. “Whenever I see someone emptying a bin or something, I say ‘g’day’, because I did that! ...And cleaned out toilets. Doing that and dealing with the way people look at you – it teaches you a bit of humility. ”In 2006, the humble actor landed his first feature film role in Suburban Mayhem, in 2010 he appeared in Short film ‘Black Dog’ alongside Bridgette, in 2011 he has a role in the feature, Burning Man and in 2012 he has landed the TV WEEK Logie award for most popular new male talent.Steve’s television credits include a guest role on East West 101, All Saints and Rake.And of course, his lead role in Home and Away as Darryl Braxton, leader of outlaw surfie gang ‘The River Boys’.Steve plays the eldest and most revered of the Braxton brothers in Home and Away, a character described as a “loyal, reckless and a feared member of the River Boys”. Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton is set to shake up the police and locals of Summer Bay with physical confrontations and a “dangerous secret love affair with Charlie”.“This is a brilliant opportunity ...to be able to learn from experienced Australian actors, ” Steve admits.One day he wants to try his luck in America, but for now is keen to do “my best” for Home and Away.