T. J. Power

T. J. Power is an Australian-American actor, director, writer, and musician best known for his supporting role as Sam in the 2014 Australian comedy film The Little Death, which earned him an AACTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and for portraying Will Bowen in the television series Offspring (2016–2017).^[1][2] Born in Sydney, Australia, Power holds dual citizenship in Australia and the United States.^[3] He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2008, where he honed his skills in acting, and made his professional stage debut as Demetrius in Shakespeare WA's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.^[4][5] Power's early film breakthrough came with a role in the international romantic drama Eat Pray Love (2010), directed by Ryan Murphy and starring Julia Roberts. His television appearances include guest roles in Grey's Anatomy and the Netflix romantic comedy Resort to Love (2021).^[6] In science fiction, he starred as Sam in the Netflix original film OtherLife (2017), a thriller about virtual reality and mind-altering drugs. Transitioning into directing and writing, Power has helmed short films such as The Bus to Birra Birra (2020) and episodes of the children's animated series Meekah (2022).^[2] He also maintains a career in music, releasing his debut EP, Be Bad, My Son, in 2023, produced in Los Angeles.^[3] Power continues to work across stage, screen, and performance coaching, based between Los Angeles and Australia.^[5]

Early life and education

Early years

T. J. Power was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in the 1980s, though his exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed.^[2][7] He grew up in the Sydney suburb of Arcadia, where he spent much of his childhood engaged in competitive sports.^[8][9] During his early years, Power received a guitar as a gift, which ignited his passion for music and shifted his focus from athletics toward creative pursuits.^[8] This interest deepened through school activities, including participation in bands, musicals, and plays, as well as choosing drama as a subject for his Higher School Certificate.^[4] Imaginative friends and encouraging teachers further inspired his early explorations in performing arts, leading him to create satirical sketches and short films with peers.^[4] Power's family played a significant role in his development; his mother, Jayne, supported his budding talents by driving him to acting classes, a 2.5-hour round trip from their home.^[9] Tragically, at age 17 during his final year of high school, he lost his mother to cancer when she was 49, an event that profoundly influenced his resilience and perspective on life.^[9] With support from his father Gerard, eldest sister Kristy, maternal grandmother Betty Maloney, and godmothers, he navigated this difficult period, which ultimately reinforced his commitment to the performing arts.^[9] These formative experiences in music and theater laid the groundwork for his later formal training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.^[4]

Education and training

T.J. Power pursued formal training in the performing arts at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, Australia, where he enrolled in the esteemed acting course.^[10] This intensive program, known for its rigorous curriculum, equipped him with foundational skills in acting, voice, movement, and improvisation, preparing graduates for professional stages and screens. Power completed his studies in 2008, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting), which marked the culmination of his structured academic preparation just prior to his professional debut in 2010.^[4][3] WAAPA's training emphasized a holistic approach to performance, integrating elements of music and theater to develop versatile artists capable of handling diverse roles. For Power, this included honing vocal techniques and musicality alongside dramatic interpretation, building on his early interest in music performance from childhood.^[8] The academy's focus on practical, industry-aligned exercises—such as scene study, ensemble work, and public performances—sharpened his abilities in character development and stage presence, skills that would prove essential in his subsequent career.^[11]

Career

Early roles (2010–2013)

Power's entry into professional acting followed his graduation from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2008, where he honed his craft before securing initial roles in Australian and international productions.^[10] In 2010, he made his feature film debut as Brook in Wasted on the Young, a coming-of-age drama exploring themes of bullying and revenge among high school students, directed by Ben C. Lucas.^[12] That same year, Power gained early international exposure with a supporting role as Leon, the son of Javier Bardem's character, in the Hollywood romantic drama Eat Pray Love opposite Julia Roberts, adapted from Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir and directed by Ryan Murphy. He also appeared in the short film Vulnerable as Craig, portraying a character navigating a reunion with a long-lost friend in this bittersweet drama written and directed by Alan Lock.^[13] Power transitioned to television in 2011 with his debut role as Len Jones, a recurring character across six episodes of Underbelly: Razor, the fourth season of the acclaimed Australian historical crime series depicting the razor gang wars of 1920s Sydney. In 2012, he took on the supporting part of Lt. Jensen in The Sapphires, a musical drama based on the true story of an Indigenous Australian girl group who perform for American troops in Vietnam during the 1960s, directed by Wayne Blair.

Breakthrough and recognition (2014–2016)

Power's breakthrough came with his supporting role as Sam in the 2014 Australian comedy film The Little Death, directed by Josh Lawson, where he portrayed a character navigating awkward sexual encounters in a series of interconnected vignettes. His performance earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 4th AACTA Awards in 2015, marking his first major industry recognition and highlighting his comedic timing and versatility.^[1] This role signified a shift from earlier supporting parts, establishing Power as an emerging talent in Australian cinema.^[5] In the same year, Power expanded his television presence with roles in two productions. He played Lieutenant Johnny Lewin in the historical miniseries Parer's War, a biographical drama about war photographer Damien Parer during World War II, contributing to the ensemble cast's depiction of frontline experiences.^[14] Additionally, he appeared as Andy in the TV movie Checked Out, a lighthearted comedy exploring everyday mishaps in a hotel setting. By 2016, Power took on more prominent screen work that further solidified his reputation. In the independent drama Halfway, he portrayed Josh, a key figure in the story of an ex-convict's struggle for redemption amid racial tensions in rural America, emphasizing themes of personal transformation and societal reintegration.^[15][16] On television, his recurring role as Will Bowen in the popular Australian series Offspring spanned 20 episodes across seasons 6 and 7, where he played the charming half-brother to the Proudman family, significantly boosting his domestic profile through the show's blend of drama and humor.^[17] He also guest-starred as Robbie Weekes in two episodes of the miniseries Molly, a biographical account of music icon Ian "Molly" Meldrum's early career in the Australian rock scene.^[18] These roles during 2014–2016 showcased Power's range across genres and mediums, paving the way for broader opportunities.^[5]

Television and international work (2017–present)

In 2017, T. J. Power marked his entry into American television with a guest role as Cliff Rainier in the single episode "Intersection" of the TNT series Major Crimes, signaling an expansion beyond Australian productions.^[19] That same year, he appeared in two episodes of the Australian comedy series True Story with Hamish & Andy, playing the characters Wine Guy 1 and Robbo, which highlighted his versatility in lighter, ensemble-driven formats.^[20] These roles coincided with his performance as Sam in the science fiction film OtherLife, a project that underscored his growing interest in genre work and facilitated a broader transition toward international streaming platforms.^[21] Building on recognition from earlier Australian successes like The Little Death, Power's career increasingly incorporated U.S. network and streaming opportunities, aided by his dual citizenship in Australia and the United States.^[3] In 2020, he guest-starred as the unsub Parris in the Criminal Minds episode "Family Tree," delivering a tense portrayal in the long-running CBS procedural.^[22] This was followed in 2021 by a recurring role as Seth across two episodes of HBO's Insecure—"Growth, Okay?!" and "Choices, Okay?!"—where he contributed to the series' exploration of interpersonal dynamics in contemporary Los Angeles.^[23] Complementing this, Power appeared as Barrington in the Netflix romantic comedy Resort to Love, a streaming film that blurred lines between cinema and episodic television viewing.^[24] Power continued his U.S. television presence in 2023 with a guest appearance as Seth Knight in the Grey's Anatomy episode "Cowgirls Don't Cry," engaging with the ABC medical drama's themes of personal resilience.^[25] Shifting to voice acting, he voiced the character Fiscian in two episodes of the 2024 Apple TV+ animated series WondLa, bringing depth to the sci-fi adventure's ensemble of otherworldly figures.^[26] In 2025, Power appeared as Adam in the Hulu series Hal & Harper, which focuses on family and emotional growth.^[27] This period reflects Power's strategic pivot toward diverse international formats, leveraging his bilingual background and citizenship to secure roles in high-profile U.S. productions.^[3]

Personal life

Family

Power has two older sisters, Kristy and Tanya, and his father is Gerard, a financial planner.^[9] The death of his mother, Jayne, from cancer at age 49 when Power was 17 significantly influenced family dynamics, fostering greater closeness among remaining family members and altering his approach to loss and support systems, as he reflected in a 2017 Sydney Morning Herald interview.^[9] Gerard later married Pauline, a friend of Jayne's who has four children.^[9] Power is married to theatre producer Kathryn Power (née Sgroi).^[9][28] As of 2023, they have two young children.^[29]

Citizenship and residence

T. J. Power holds dual citizenship in Australia and the United States.^[2][5] As a native Australian, he was born in Sydney, where he spent his early years before pursuing acting training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), from which he graduated in 2008.^[2][8] By 2010, at the age of 24, Power had relocated to Los Angeles, California, to advance his career in the American film and television industry, appearing in projects such as Eat Pray Love.^[7][2] Power has been primarily based in Los Angeles since the early 2010s, where he resides with his wife and children and continues to work extensively in U.S. productions.^[7][28][29] Despite his U.S. base, Power maintains close ties to Sydney, Australia, returning regularly for domestic projects such as his role in the television series Offspring (2014–2017). These connections underscore his ongoing involvement in the Australian entertainment scene, including theater and film work in New South Wales.^[2][4]

Filmography

Film

Power's film roles span a variety of genres, from independent Australian productions to international features.

Television

Power's television credits span Australian and international series, miniseries, and telefilms, often in supporting or guest capacities. His recurring role in Offspring marked a significant milestone in his career.^[2]

Awards and nominations

AACTA Awards

T. J. Power received a nomination from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) for his performance in the 2014 film The Little Death. Specifically, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 4th AACTA Awards for portraying Sam in the comedy, which marked an early highlight in his acting career.^[30] The award went to Patrick Brammall for the same film.^[1] The AACTA Awards, formerly known as the Australian Film Institute Awards, are Australia's premier accolades for excellence in film and television, recognizing outstanding contributions since 1958 and serving as the national equivalent to the Academy Awards.^[31] This nomination underscored Power's rising prominence within the Australian screen industry, where AACTA honors are highly regarded for spotlighting talent and advancing careers.^[32] As of 2025, Power has no recorded AACTA wins, with his sole nomination remaining from the 2014 ceremony.

Other honors

In addition to his acting achievements, T. J. Power has received several awards for his work as a director and writer. For his short film Your Call Is Important to Us (2018), he won Best Director at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival, Best Film at the West End Film Festival, Audience Choice at the San Diego International Film Festival, and Best Comedy at the Canberra Film Festival.^[5] Power also earned recognition for his drama short The Bus to Birra Birra (2020), securing Best Direction and Best Film at Film Invasion LA, People's Choice at the San Diego International Film Festival (SIPFEST), and an Honorable Mention at the Santa Monica International Film Festival.^[5] These honors highlight Power's versatility in independent filmmaking, though as of 2025, no major international acting awards beyond Australian accolades have been reported for his performances.