Arky Michael is an Australian actor and writer, who is best known for his role as Fulvio Frangellomini in the television drama series Rafferty's Rules.

Early life

Michael studied acting at National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and graduated with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting) in 1982.

Career

Michael's first starring role was as George Poulopoulos in the television series Sweet and Sour (1984). A recurring role on drama series A Country Practice followed (1986–1987), before he took on his best known role as Fulvio Frangellomini in Rafferty's Rules (1987–1991). He then featured in the Australian children's series Johnson and Friends, as the costume actor for the titular character in the second series.

Michael also had numerous guest roles on television series through this career, such as Mother and Son, E Street, Wildside, Water Rats, Grass Roots and All Saints.

Michael is part of a screenwriting team together with Kym Vercoe, with whom he wrote the feature film, Mrs Burswood, recipient of the 2017 Monte Miller Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay. They have collaborated on independent theatre projects for Theatre Kantanka and version 1. Michael has also written a number of short films, including Australian Summer, which won Best Film at Tropfest in 2005.

Michael has also worked extensively in theatre for many of the major Australian companies including Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre and Bell Shakespeare.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
19842084 (aka Starship or Lorca and the Outlaws)DylanFeature film
1985After HoursLorraine's BoyfriendShort film
1989Candy RegentagFrankyFeature film
1990The Ham FuneralFourth RelativeTV movie
1997SanctuaryJohn AlderstonFeature film
2001Jet SetSanitation EngineerFeature film
2004The Mime ArtistBillShort film
2005Australian SummerJoeShort film
2011Animal LoveGarryShort film
2012Last ChristmasManShort film
2013For Those Who Can Tell No TalesArkyShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleType
1984City WestAlec Pontes1 episode
Sweet and SourGeorge Poulopoulos20 episodes
1986Mother and SonConstable1 episode
Call Me MisterBarman1 episode
1986–1987A Country PracticeKenny Mitchell10 episodes
1987–1991Rafferty's RulesFulvio Frangellomini86 episodes
1990Col’n CarpenterMr Cole1 episode
1990–1991Johnson and FriendsJohnsonSeason 2, 15 episodes
1992E StreetAlbie Johnson4 episodes
1993Hey Dad..!Neville Short1 episode
1993–1995G.P.Doug Hardin / Arnie2 episodes
1994The Fox CubhouseJohnsonSegment: "Johnson and Friends"
1995Johnson and Friends: Songs from the ToyboxJohnsonVideo
1997Water RatsDave Fremont1 episode
1999WildsideGordy Gilmour1 episode
2000Grass RootsDes1 episode
2008All SaintsDoug Silverman1 episode
My PlaceMr Josephides1 episode
2016Janet KingGeorge Healy2 episodes
2017House of BondPaint BossMiniseries, 2 episodes
2022It's Fine, I'm FineAziz
2023NCIS: SydneyRussian Orthodox Priest1 episode

Video game

YearTitleRoleType
1999M.U.G.E.NVideo game

Theatre

As actor

YearTitleRoleVenue / Co.
1981All's Well That Ends WellJane St Theatre, Sydney
1982Nervous SystemNIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney
Camino RealThe Bum
The CrucibleEzekiel CheeverNIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra, University of Newcastle
Bitter SweetMr Proutie / Herr SchtickNIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney
1984Il MagnificoMichaelangeloSeymour Centre, Sydney
1985A Midsummer Night’s DreamSeymour Centre, Sydney with Nimrod
1987The Heartbreak KidCon / Nicky's Father / Deputy HeadmasterStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1988Interplay '88Sydney Opera House
1989The Ham FuneralWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
1990The Venetian TwinsBrighellaSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane with QTC
The TempestBelvoir, Sydney
1991WritersRiverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga
The Boys Next DoorEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
1992The Shrinking LedgeSWY Theatre, Perth
1992–1994Two Weeks With the QueenLuke / Alistair / Student Doctor / othersAustralian national tour
1993A Midsummer Night’s DreamRoyal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
1995Sydney Stories 2: The Blessing / Two Wongs / In the Club / The Way I WasWharf Theatre with STC for Sydney Festival
Pierrot and ColumbineWharf Theatre, Sydney with Kim Carpenter's Theatre of Image & STC
1996As You Like ItSilviusSydney Opera House with STC
PlaygroundsWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
The AlchemistBelvoir, Sydney
Coralie Lansdowne Says NoStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1997The Comedy of ErrorsDromio of EphesusSydney Opera House with STC for Sydney Festival
Don's PartyPlayhouse Adelaide with STCSA
The Promised Land: Tinsel and Ashes / FeastBondi Pavilion, Sydney
1999The Taming of the ShrewRoyal Botanic Garden, Sydney with Australian Shakespeare Company
The Merchant of VeniceSalerioAustralian national tour with Bell Shakespeare
2000The Small PoppiesMenacing Bully / Greek Immigrant DadBelvoir, Sydney, Playhouse, Melbourne, The Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga, Sydney Opera House
2000; 2001Much Ado About NothingThe Capital, Bendigo, IMB Theatre, Wollongong with Bell Shakespeare & Merrigong Theatre Company
2001UbuQasimBelvoir, Sydney
2002A Man With Five ChildrenWharf Theatre with STC
Macbeth
The Boys Next DoorEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
2002; 2003The Book Keeper of Rua Dos DouradoresSoaresSidetrack Theatre, Sydney, Seymour Centre, Sydney
2003The UnderpantsTheoNSW & VIC tour
2003–2005The Servant of Two MastersBrighellaAustralian national tour with Bell Shakespeare
2005Kiss of the AlienNewtown Theatre, Sydney for Short+Sweet
The Two Gentlemen of VeronaAntonioAustralian national tour with Bell Shakespeare
2006Romeo and JulietPeterPlayhouse, Canberra, Playhouse, Melbourne, Sydney Opera House, Frankston Arts Centre, Clocktower Centre, Melbourne with Bell Shakespeare
2007Pearlie in the ParkHer Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat, Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre with Monkey Baa Productions
2009Baghdad WeddingKathumBelvoir, Sydney
2009–2010This Kind of RuckusCarriageworks, Sydney, Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide, Lismore City Hall, Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with Version 1.0, Performance Space & Full Tilt
2009–2011Missing the Bus to David JonesOld ManCampbelltown Arts Centre, Carriageworks, Sydney, Seymour Centre, Sydney with Kantanka Theatre Company
2010Love Me TenderChorusPerth Cultural Centre, Belvoir, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
Measure for MeasurePompeyBelvoir, Sydney
2011Much Ado About NothingAntonioSydney Opera House, Playhouse, Canberra, Playhouse, Melbourne with Bell Shakespeare
2011; 2013The Table of KnowledgeFrank VellarBruce Gordon Theatre, Wollongong, Hopgood Theatre, Adelaide, Lennox Theatre, Parramatta, The Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga with Merrigong Theatre Company & Version 1.0
2013Henry IVSilence / various rolesPlayhouse, Canberra, Playhouse, Melbourne, Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
PenelopeDunneTap Gallery Theatre, Sydney with Siren Theatre Company
Counting and CrackingIsmetRidley Centre, Adelaide Showgrounds with Belvoir, Sydney for Adelaide Festival
2014ClubsingularityChairmanNational Art School, Sydney with Performance Space
2015Mother Courage and Her ChildrenBelvoir, Sydney
The TempestSebastian / TrinculoSydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare
ReLoad107 Projects, Sydney with Theatre Kantanka & Intimate Spectacle
2018Sami in ParadiseFather ArkyBelvoir, Sydney
Permission to SpinMartinOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney
The HumansErikOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney
Obscene Madame DEhudTheatre Kantanka
2022Gods and Little FishesGuy the StrongmanNew Theatre, Sydney
2023AmadeusGuiseppe BonnoSydney Opera House

As crew

YearTitleRoleVenue / Co.
2006The ExampleDirectorSeymour Centre, Sydney for Short+Sweet
2009–2010This Kind of RuckusDevisorCarriageworks, Sydney, Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide, Lismore City Hall, Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with Version 1.0, Performance Space & Full Tilt
2011; 2013The Table of KnowledgeDevisorBruce Gordon Theatre, Wollongong, Hopgood Theatre, Adelaide, Lennox Theatre, Parramatta, Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga with Merrigong Theatre Company & Version 1.0
2015Cowboy MouthDirectorHibernian House, Sydney
2018Sami in ParadiseAdaptorBelvoir, Sydney

Awards

YearWorkAwardCategoryResult
2005Australian SummerTropfestBest Actor AwardWon
2010Love Me Tender (Belvoir)Helpmann AwardBest Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a PlayNominated
2017Mrs BurswoodMonte Miller AwardBest Unproduced ScreenplayWon
2021SongbirdSBS Emerging Writers' CompetitionRunner Up

External links