Ben O'Toole

Ben O'Toole is an Australian actor. He is known for his role as Rex Coen in Bloody Hell, his recurring roles in several Australian TV series such as Amazing Grace, as well as for his supporting roles in films such as Hacksaw Ridge and 12 Strong (2018). He plays Angus in the 2025 dark comedy thriller Penny Lane Is Dead. He has also appeared on stage many times, including as Happy Loman in Death of a Salesman in 2013 and again in 2024.

Early life and education Ben O'Toole was born in Cairns

He began performing in the theatre while he studied acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) from 2009 until 2011.

Career Screen After graduating in 2011, O'Toole's first screen appearance was in a web series titled Sintillate Studios. He eventually relocated to Sydney where he continued his work in theatre That same year, he was cast in the role of Pete in the first three seasons of the TV series Love Child. In 2016, he played the role of Corporal Tom (second in command to drill sergeant Howell played by Vince Vaughn) in the award-winning biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson.

O'Toole moved to Los Angeles in early 2016. He acted in commercially successful Hollywood films that provided more international exposure and showcased broader recognition of his acting abilities. His first leading role was the romantic comedy, Everybody Loves Somebody (2017), which was well received by critics. In 2018, he performed as main actor in the Australian film Nekrotronic, which was nominated for Best Makeup at the 9th AACTA Awards, but otherwise was rather poorly received both by audiences and critics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, O'Toole almost exclusively appeared in Australian productions. In addition to his performances in series television, he landed the lead role in the horror comedy Bloody Hell, where he assumed the role of protagonist and also embodied the hallucinations of his alter ego.

O'Toole plays a major role as Angus in the 2025 dark comedy thriller Penny Lane Is Dead, in writer-director Mia'Kate Russell's feature film debut.

Stage O'Toole has also appeared regularly in theatre. In 2022 he appeared in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

In 2024, he reprised his 2013 role of Happy in Death of a Salesman.

Filmography Film

Stage Year Title RoleNotesRef 2011 Blood Will Have Blood Macbeth / OberonWAAPA The Laramie Project Rulon Stacey / Father Roger Schmidt / Jonas Slonaker Ruben Guthrie Ruben Guthrie Nana Marquis de Chouard 2012 Boy Gets Girl Mercer Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth with Black Swan State Theatre Company 2013 Death of a Salesman Happy Loman 2014 Mojo STC The Sublime Liam MTC 2015 Freak Winds Henry CrumbOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney Men Crazy Bob 2024 37 Joe Bille Brown Theatre, Brisbane with MTC & Queensland TheatreDeath of a Salesman Happy Loman Theatre Royal, Sydney, Crown Theatre, Perth Source: