James Healey (actor)

James Patrick Healey (born in County Galway, Ireland) is an Irish-born Australian actor.

Healey's family moved to Manchester, England, before emigrating to Melbourne, Australia.

He studied a Diploma of Acting at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1977, and also studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.

As a teen, in the 1970s, Healey had early guest roles in several Crawford Productions Australian police procedural series, including Homicide, Division 4, Cop Shop and Matlock Police.

Healey was George Miller's first choice for the starring role of Max Rockatansky in 1979 film Mad Max. At the time, Healey was working at a Melbourne abattoir, while pursuing film work. Upon reading the script, Healey declined the role, considering the limited and terse dialogue unappealing. Up-and-coming young Australian actor Mel Gibson instead, landed the role of Max.

Healey adapted and produced Oscar Wilde's De Profundis, and in 1978, made his London stage debut in The Golden Cradle for the Abbey Theatre. He then appeared in the television plays Memories and Even Solomon, and the series Penmarric. He played Heathcliff in a stage production of Wuthering Heights and also appeared in Privates on Parade, Bedroom Farce and Ten Times Table.

During the release of Mad Max 2 in theatres, Healey had a regular role on Australian soap opera The Restless Years in 1981, as the murderous villain Gary Fisher. He also appeared in Sons and Daughters for two episodes, as Wayne Hamilton's best man, in 1983.

As artistic director, Healey founded the Falcon Theatre Company in 1983, directing, producing and acting in plays including This Property is Condemned, Snow Angel and Zoo Story. He also appeared in 1984 films Super Sleuth and Fantasy Man (playing the role of Steve in the latter) and starred in the title role in King Lear.