Diary of an Uber Driver actor Sam Cotton on his biggest role yet

He’s scrubbed toilets, but Sam Cotton always knew he was born to act. Now he’s the star of an ABC comedy about an Uber driver.

Zahra Newman and Sam Cotton in a scene from the TV series Diary of an Uber Driver. Supplied by ABC-TV.

He’s done everything from cleaning toilets to making coffee, but now Brisbane actor Sam Cotton believes he may be on the brink of his big break.

The 32-year-old stars in new ABC comedy-drama series Diary of an Uber Driver, based on the popular blog and best-selling e-book by Uber driver Ben Phillips.

The six-part series follows Uber driver Ben, played by Sam, as he tries to figure out what he should be doing with his life while “people watching” his passengers.

Although Sam has been a professional actor for 10 years, appearing as Bruce in the ABC’s Rosehaven, and Wayne in SBS’s The Family Law, this is his first lead role.

He landed the part after submitting an audition tape he made in his bedroom, followed by a call back audition in Sydney.

“I sat by the phone for two weeks after that, waiting to hear if I’d got in,” he tells Brisbane News.

“I’m naturally pessimistic so I didn’t expect to get lucky at all and I’m still coming to terms with it to be honest.”

Sam, who grew up in Ascot but moved to Sydney in February to capitalise on his acting success, says there was extra pressure on set because “real Uber driver Ben” was watching closely.

“Fortunately he’s a lovely guy,” he adds.

Brisbane-bred actor Sam Cotton.

“He’s really warm and it’s not hard to see why people open up to him and tell him their life stories. He’s also quite similar to me so there was no crazy method acting needed for the role.”

Sam set his sights on acting when he was 16 and entered a competition entitled Search for a Movie Star at Movie World on the Gold Coast.

He did a Chopper Read monologue and was declared the winner.

He then started acting classes with casting director Tom McSweeney. On reflection he thinks he was a bit naive and “put all his eggs in one basket”.

Sam Cotton (left), Phoebe Barnett and Kevin MacIsaac in a scene from Diaries of an Uber Driver. Supplied by ABC-TV.

“In reality I’ve done a lot of other jobs including cleaning toilets at Friday’s and working at Starbucks … Uber driving is also a good plan B for an actor,” he says.

While Sam has written, directed and produced several short films, his dream is to create an adult animated series about an alien encounter in rural Queensland, and he has begun pitching to producers.

“Australia is missing a series like The Simpsons or South Park that is specific to us. I think an aliens-versus-bogans scenario would make for a funny show.”

Diary of an Uber Driver, Wednesdays, 9.30pm, ABC TV and iview