David Ngoombujarra (27 June 1967 – 17 July 2011) was an Indigenous Australian actor of the Yamatji people. Born David Bernard Starr in Meekatharra, Western Australia, his acting career spanned over two decades from the late 1980s to 2010; he won three Australian Film Institute Awards.[1] On 17 July 2011 he was found in a park in Fremantle, and taken to Fremantle Hospital where he was pronounced dead.[1][2][3]
David Ngiombujarra | |
---|---|
Born | David Bernard Starr 27 June 1967 Meekatharra, Western Australia, Australia |
Died | 17 July 2011 Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia | (aged 44)
Occupation | Actor |
Relatives | Ernie Dingo - Cousin |
Ngoombujarra was adopted by Amy and Derek Sloan, and met his birth mother when he was 14. He moved to Sydney with plans for stardom and picked up some minor film roles in Young Einstein and others after being spotted busking in Circular Quay. His wide smile and booming laugh were very marketable. Ngoombujarra fell into petty crime and battled alcohol addiction which may have contributed to his death.[4]
It was revealed that Ngoombujara fathered a daughter who was later adopted by his cousin, actor Ernie Dingo.[5]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Breaking Loose | Davie | |
1988 | Young Einstein | Aboriginal dancer | |
1993 | Day of the Dog | Floyd 'Pretty Boy' Davies | |
1994 | Heartland | Majadi Burunga | 4 episodes |
1994 | Dallas Doll | Storyteller | |
1995 | Janus | Ray | Episode: "Fit to Plead" |
1995 | Correlli | Warren 'Budgie' Keating | Episode: "Spoons" |
1995 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | Ninawunda | Episode: "Man and Boy" |
1996 | No Way to Forget | Short | |
1998 | Kings in Grass Castles | Burrakin | 2 episodes |
1999 | The Missing | Willie | |
1999 | Harry's War | Harry Saunders | TV Short |
2001 | Serenades | Joseph | |
2001 | Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles | Arthur | |
2002 | Rabbit-Proof Fence | Rabbit hunter | |
2002 | Black and White | Young Max Stuart | |
2003 | Kangaroo Jack | Sr. Sgt. 'Mr Jimmy' Inkamala | |
2003 | Yamajti Man | Narrator | |
2003 | Ned Kelly | Tribesman | |
2004 | Parallax | Otto | 6 episodes |
2005 | The Adventures of Roman Pilgrim | Albert | Short |
2007-2010 | The Circuit | Harry Pope | 6 episodes, (final appearance) |
2008 | Australia | Magarri |