Matt Boesenberg

Early career

Boesenberg's career began in the theatre, with his first role in the Sydney-based PACT Centre for Emerging Artists production Madagaskar Lily. He then moved on to the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) where he developed a passion for Shakespeare. He played the role of Banquo in Macbeth, and Ulysses in Troilus and Cressida. He was soon awarded a scholarship by the ATYP for his outstanding work and chose to travel to New York.

On moving to New York from Australia in 1999, Boesenberg studied with the Atlantic Theater Company (a school started by David Mamet and William H. Macy). With renewed skills and vigour Boesenberg returned to the ATYP for their commissioned work with Nick Enright, called Spurboard. This play was performed in conjunction with the Sydney Theatre Company and went on to tour country New South Wales.

Keen to expand his horizons, Boesenberg travelled to Oxford, England, to study with the British American Drama Academy. There he furthered his skills with Shakespeare under the guidance of teachers such as John Barton, Jane Lapotaire and Alan Rickman.

Upon returning to Australia, Boesenberg continued working in theatre, including roles in productions such as Rebel Tour, a fictionalised account of the South African rebel tours and Prisoner of Love. He also began to focus his talents on film and television.

Television and film

Boesenberg has appeared in many Australian dramas including Rush, City Homicide, The Strip, Blackjack, Stingers, All Saints and Home and Away. He is well known for his roles in Satisfaction (as Dougie), and in Carla Cametti PD where he was the hired hit man Sean Hamley.

Boesenberg has also had a number of roles in American productions. They include Knowing (with Nicolas Cage), The Pacific (with James Badge Dale) and Invincible (with Billy Zane).

Boesenberg is best known for his work in the Australian television mini-series Underbelly: Razor, in which he portrayed notorious psychopath and standover man John "Snowy" Cutmore. The series was screened on Australian television in August 2011. The premiere episode made Razor the highest rating drama in Australian history, surpassing the record set by Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. Boesenberg's performance was critically acclaimed as "spot on".

In the September 2011 edition of FHM Australia, Matt appeared as the joker from The Dark Knight in a fashion shoot with a difference - cast members of Underbelly: Razor were asked to channel their inner screen killer.

Matt has just finished filming for the sixth series of Underbelly - Underbelly: Squizzy, where he stars in his reprisal of character "Snowy" Cutmore. Historically, "Snowy" Cutmore was the nemesis of Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor and this new installment to the Underbelly franchise, set in Australia between 1915 and 1927, tells the epic story of Squizzy Taylor's relentless quest for power, which ultimately made him the first superstar gangster of the 20th century. The series will be first screened on Australian television in early 2013.