Logie nominee Stephen Peacocke’s career is as good as Gold

HE’S a long way from Summer Bay but Gold Logie nominee Stephen Peacocke is making it big in Hollywood and mixing it with the best in the business.

On the rise ... Stephen Peacocke fame is rising with parts in Hollywood blockbusters. Picture: Supplied.

EXCLUSIVE

Nice guys don’t always finish first, but no one deserves the glory — and a Gold Logie — more than former Home And Away star Stephen Peacocke.

The fact you have to keep reminding the Dubbo-born actor — currently filming his third international feature film in London — why he’s such hot property in the showbiz world right now should reassure his fans this down-to-earth Aussie bloke still has his feet firmly planted on the ground.

Making the same trek from Summer Bay to Hollywood taken by stars like Chris Hemsworth and Melissa George, the 33-year-old is almost apologetic about the instant success he’s enjoying overseas — and the reason why he’s unable to break from the UK set of the romantic drama, Me Before You (starring Game Of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke), to make the Logies in person this year.

Logies After Partys. Steve Peacocke with Bridgette Sneddon

While he’s expected to appear in a live satellite link when his nominations are read out — for Gold and silver, for most popular actor — a typically modest Peacocke said he “felt kind of bad that I couldn’t be there, but I’ve got to take the work while I can.”

In his first interview since leaving the Channel 7 soap and the role of Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton which made him a star, the one-time turf layer and labourer has been head down over scripts and working from his new base in Los Angeles ever since.

After secretly marrying his long-time girlfriend and Home And Away co-star Bridgette Sneddon in December, Peacocke has matched his personal joy with one big career break after another: working everywhere from Budapest (muscling up to Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson in blockbuster, Hercules) and back to LA again.

Bad boy ... Stephen Peacocke got his first big break as Brax in Home and Away. Picture: Supplied

Last month, he wrapped his first comedic role in Fun House, mixing it with an A-list cast that included Aussie ‘it’ girl, Margot Robbie, Lord Of The Rings favourite Martin Freeman and SNL alumni Tina Fey.

Playing an ex-SAS soldier who does private security in Afghanistan “with a pretty interesting twist about him,” Peacocke said he even impressed himself with his ability to keep up with these improv specialists.

“I remember doing this one scene and the crew started laughing mid-take so I started laughing, it was that kind of set, but it’s good when you can get that sort of reaction,” he told Insider.

“I think it was the dialect coach who came up to me afterwards saying, ‘god, you’re keeping up with Tina Fey and she’s the best in the world’. I’m sure it was all to make me feel at ease, because I was so nervous, but it was good to hear.”

Home and Away actor Steve Peacocke on set of his new film, Hollywood blockbuster Hercules. Co star with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Watching Robbie, a former Neighbours starlet, go about her business was also a confidence boost for Peacocke that he might just have what it takes to make it too.

“She’s got this incredible career but she’s very very down-to-earth. You just hear the way the directors and producers talk to her and it’s clear how much they think the world of her.”

He argues it’s the Australian work ethic and humility which has kept actors like Robbie in demand in Hollywood — qualities which he has in spades.

“I don’t know, I just don’t see any other way to do it. If you go in there and throw your weight around, it’s like any other workplace. If you’ve got some dickhead that thinks he’s better than he is, you either want to put one on his chin or see him get sacked and that’s the way it should be.”

It’s no surprise Peacocke idolises Hugh Jackman, who he met briefly on the Pinewood Studios set of his latest film, in a pinch-me moment this month.

“My little dressing room is literally across the hall from the hair and make-up room for another film and bloody Hugh Jackman was in there. I walked out of my room and bumped straight into him, which was bizarre for someone like me who has always admired him through his career and looked up to him. All of sudden you hear yourself say ‘g’day mate’ and he says ‘g’day mate’ back ... it was just weird. I raced home and told Bridg like I used to come home and tell mum I scored a try at footy.”

FW: Steve Peacocke is back in the Bay!

As fast as his star has risen, Peacocke is quick to credit the series which gave him his start.

“People say it teaches you to show up on time and all that stuff but I don’t think you should have to learn that ... that had already been drilled into me from every other job I’d had. But Home & Away (to be inducted into the Logies Hall Of Fame tonight) is a great place to learn scripts with 10-minutes notice, or be able to do 12 scenes in a day and not complain about it. I always found it easy because I just loved the job and loved the people I was working with,” he said.

Sharing the ride with his new bride has made the experience even more special.

“The main thing about us is we never forget how lucky we are, the moment is never lost on us. We’ve been together when neither of us had any money. Bridg was working in retail and I was in the back of bloody trucks, laying turf and stuff. We’ve been through it all together, so when you get good jobs like this, whether it’s London or the US, you can enjoy it more.”

Originally published as Logie nominee Stephen Peacocke’s career is as good as Gold