How a ‘a little dance on the ocean’ between movies grounds Sam Corlett

Sam Corlett is working with some of the industry’s greatest talents, but GQ’s TV Actor of the Year knows where his heart is.

He’s come a long way from the sandy shores of the NSW Central Coast – but actor Sam Corlett never feels more at peace than when he’s at home.

And with a surfboard under his arm, that nostalgia is heightened – so filming opposite Kevin Costner in his new surf thriller Headhunters helps ground him like his hometown does.

“It’s pretty wild,” GQ Australia’s recently crowned TV Actor of the Year tells Insider of his new project. His Netflix film He Ain’t Heavy with Greta Scacchi was also released this week, so it’s a busy time.

“I’m very grateful.

“It’s all kept pretty under wraps at the moment, but we have an incredible cast and crew forming.

Sam Corlett never feels more at peace than when he’s at home. Picture: Rob Tennent

“Steven Hollaran, our director, has a phenomenal vision.

“The script lit me up inside – and, yeah, Kevin Costner is a legend.

“The breadth of his wisdom is something I’m eager to be around and learn from.

“I think it’ll be a fun one.”

He’s playing an Aussie surfer in Headhunters, so it’s not a long bow to draw. But it’s a role that means a lot to the 28-year-old Vikings: Valhalla and Territory star.

“This character is an amalgamation of all my mates, as well as the people I had on my walls as a kid, like Andy Irons, Mick Fanning and Dave Rastavich.

“The surfing community here in Australia has been heaps generous – (am) keen to rep the coastal Aussie culture.”

He says being part of December’s GQ Men of the Year Awards was “pretty cool” as the budding artist had always admired the night that celebrated those who have an impact on our culture.

Being part of December’s GQ Men of the Year Awards was “pretty cool”. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Sam Corlett with sister and fellow actor Emelia Corlett at the GQ Australia Men Of The Year Award. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“To be recognised among them is a ‘pinch me’ moment for sure,” he says.

“Especially alongside folks like Sam Worthington.”

But despite his rise to stardom, acting wasn’t always his thing.

“Sport was my thing, followed by music and art,” he admits.

“The first time I was on a stage was at a basketball camp where we all had to do a little comedy skit.

“Making people laugh felt cool.

“Then I did drama at school to get over my fear of public speaking.

“I was asked to do more of a dramatic monologue. I remember sitting in my room, imagining this character’s life as if it were mine.

“Feeling that sense of, like, walking in another man’s shoes; attempting to honour that life as if it were real.

“Sharing that monologue in class … I can’t put my finger on it but I felt compelled to explore it more.”

He misses home a lot when he’s living out of a suitcase, but that makes his returns all the sweeter. Picture: Rob Tennent

Speaking of home, he misses it a lot when he’s living out of a suitcase, but that makes his returns all the sweeter.

“My Nan lived near Toukley and a lot of my mates that shredded in the surf, lived at The Entrance,” he says.

“I think after travelling, coming back to my mates, and the family just brings back a nice sense of self.

“I feel calm and creative there.

“I suppose it’s kinda where I began to dream of the things I’m kind of doing.

“I surfed a bit as a kid, and in the summers when I’d come back from shooting recently I’d get out on mini mals for a little dance on the ocean.

“Now, just on the shorty, it’s humbling to say the least.

“So, I’ve been reaching out to the masters like my mate Owen Wright, to getting some 101s”.

As far as his dream – he’s living it – he thinks.

“I don’t know – I just would love to continue to create,” he says.

“To tell stories with visionaries and inspired creatives.

“And reflect and reveal the beauty of the human experience through storytelling.

“The way films like Blue Valentine, Romeo + Juliet, or Tree of Life have made me feel.

“I’ve been reading Joseph Campbell again recently, and it’s really amplified the honour I feel being able to contribute to stories I have recently like He Ain’t Heavy, Vikings: Valhalla and Territory.”

Sam Corlett at the Netflix special screening of Territory in Sydney. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It helps that his core relationships have remained the same.

“Whether they be my Coast mates, Byron, or Ireland mates – we’re there for each other,” he says.

“Grounded … I don’t know.

“I think more recently they’ve encouraged me to be more proud of what’s going on.

“I tend to still feel like I’m at the infancy of my career and my mates are the ones who say ‘Oi, you’re going all right!’.”

As for the next 12 months, Corlett is passionate about continuing to contribute as an actor and collaborator on projects that excites his soul and call from him something new.

“Often, it’s something different from what I’ve done before that energises me and with great people who expand my capacity.” he continues.

“Maybe share more poetry and art.

“And share more incredible experiences with the people I love.”
But something you may not know about Corlett is his one time obsession with magic.

“I was mesmerised by circus growing up,” he says.

“I would drive my Nan insane practising card tricks on her. I think trying to understand the beautiful illusion of cinema has perhaps compelled me to be part of this art form.

“I now get the occasional nods here and there,” he says of being recognised.

“I’m just grateful to be able to contribute to projects that move people.

“I’m keen to slowly find myself just as much behind the camera as in front of it.”

The red carpet, celebrity part of the job is harder to navigate though.

“It’s all a bit funny – it doesn’t feel natural but I understand it as part of this biz, so yeah, I’m just trying to dance with it as graceful as possible,” he says.

“I enjoy celebrating my mates’ films and things I’ve been lucky to be part of. What matters most to me is the work.

Sam Corlett at home. “Art is big for me.” Picture: Rob Tennent

Sam Corlett and one of his artworks. “Paint, mix media, illustration … I also find it feeds my acting.”

“And art is big for me.

“I’m a slow reader, much more visual.

“So art in school was a great reprieve for me.

“I actually got into Art Express for my Year 12 HSC project.”

He explained the sculpture that explored the themes of nature v industry.

“For me … It’s kind of like, when I don’t have the words to express myself, art provides me the capacity to do so,” he says.

“Paint, mix media, illustration … I also find it feeds my acting.

“I love walking around an art gallery while preparing for a job and seeing what inspiration may arrive.

“I am very inspired by the great directors of our time.

“And feel like that path is calling more and more.

“But, no, I came to all of this when I was just out of school.

“I feel like film is where all the things I am constantly studying and curious about meet.

“From psychology and myth, to camera’s and music, to the numerous talented people I get to meet.

“It’s a never-ending world.”

Sam Corlett says, in life, it’s shared experiences that matter.

Outside of a life in the arts, he could have studied psychology, and once had a romantic idea of running a cafe-come-book store. He says, in life, it’s shared experiences that matter.

“I remember having a bit of a loner period when I was first obsessed with acting,” he says.

“I’d just go down all the little rabbit holes of my favourite actor’s, favourite actor.

“Their favourite movies or books, who their teachers were – and I remember watching Into the Wild and one of the quotes Christopher etched in the timber … ‘happiness is best when shared’.

“I found that to be true while shooting in Ireland.

“Being away from all that I knew, I found myself spending all my off time with the local village.

“Two lads, Dave and Steve Flynn, who go by the name ‘The Happy Pear’, were the most community-minded people I’d met.

“Always with an empty chair at the diner table inviting someone new into their homes.”

He’s now got some art prints going at the moment – the first chapter of little collections he intends to continue making available.

“From art, to photography, to paintings, and maybe even pottery,” he says of the future. “Also … more poetry on the horizon.”

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Originally published as How a ‘a little dance on the ocean’ between movies grounds Sam Corlett