Josh Lawson is an Australian actor best known for his role as Doug Guggenheim in House of Lies, Tate Staskiewicz in the first three seasons of the NBC sitcom Superstore and as Kano in the 2021 film Mortal Kombat. He currently stars as Dr. Bruce Schweitz in St. Denis Medical.

Early life

Lawson grew up in Brisbane, and attended St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2001. He also spent one year studying improvisation techniques in Los Angeles at The Second City, The Groundlings, ACME Comedy Theatre and I.O. West. His older brother is actor Ben Lawson.

In 2003, Lawson was awarded a Mike Walsh Fellowship.

Career

Television

Lawson has had guest-starring roles in such popular Australian television programs as Blue Heelers and Home & Away, and is known for his appearances on the improv comedy program Thank God You're Here and on the Australian drama Sea Patrol and comedy The Librarians. He also had a guest role in the comedy Wilfred and starred in several television commercials, including advertisements for Coca-Cola Cherry and Gold Class cinemas.[citation needed]

He portrayed Tate Staskiewicz, the pharmacist in the series' titular setting, on the sitcom Superstore for three seasons.

Lawson also hosted Wipeout Australia with James Brayshaw.

Lawson played Ben in the American pilot Spaced and Shawn on Romantically Challenged for ABC. Since its inception in 2012, he has played management consultant Doug Guggenheim on Showtime's House of Lies.

In 2017, he played the title role in Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story.

Lawson currently stars on NBC's hit comedy, St. Denis Medical. The show was recently renewed for a third season.

Film

In 2006, Lawson made his feature film debut in BoyTown. He had the starring role in the 2012 Australian comedy film Any Questions for Ben?, created by Working Dog Productions. He also appeared alongside Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in the 2012 comedy film The Campaign, as well as Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and Crave.

His feature directing debut The Little Death which he also wrote and starred in, was released in 2014.

Lawson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2018 for The Eleven O'Clock, a short film he wrote and starred in.

In 2018, Lawson portrayed "Dave Johnson" in the comedy pilot for the CBS series Here Comes the Neighborhood (later The Neighborhood), but was replaced by actor Max Greenfield before the series was picked up by the network.

In August 2019, Lawson was cast in the Mortal Kombat reboot as Kano.

Other work

During 2006 and 2007, Lawson was a regular guest co-host on the Australian radio comedy show Get This which aired on Triple M. In 2013, he voiced the role of Bob in the Cartoon Hangover short film Rocket Dog.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Hey StrangerCallerShort film
Charmed RobberyCustomerShort film
BoyTownAndy
2007$quidChrisShort film
2009Law and Order: Really Special Victims UnitThe pianistShort film; also writer
2010The Wedding PartySteve
After the CreditsRude passengerShort film; also director and writer
2011PetJulianShort film
2012Any Questions for Ben?Ben
The CampaignTripp Huggins
CraveAiden
FreeloadersDave
2013Free BirdsGus / Settler (voice)
Anchorman 2: The Legend ContinuesKench Allenby
2014Growing Up and Other LiesJake
Border Protection SquadEmma
The Little DeathPaulAlso director and writer; SXSW Audience Award for Narrative Spotlight Thessaloniki International Film Festival Audience Award for Open Horizons Nominated – Australian Writers' Guild Award for Feature Film – Original Nominated – São Paulo International Film Festival Award for Best Feature Film
2016The Eleven O'ClockTerry PhillipsShort film; also producer and writer AACTA Award for Best Short Fiction Film LA Shorts Fest Award for Best Short Film Nominated – Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film
2017The Doppel ChainThomasShort film
Becoming BondGeorge LazenbyDocumentary
2019BombshellJames Murdoch
2020Holly Slept OverNoel
2021Long Story ShortPatrickAlso director and writer
Mortal KombatKano
2023True SpiritRoger Watson
2024Woody Woodpecker Goes to CampZane
2026Mortal Kombat IIKanoPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997The Wayne ManifestoTrevor2 episodes
1998MedivacRobEpisode: "Denial"
The Day of the RosesMark ShuttlerMiniseries; 2 episodes
2002TwentyfourSevenTony White13 episodes
2004Home and AwayFelix Walters3 episodes
2006Blue HeelersDavid Murray5 episodes
All SaintsNick BagnallEpisode: "Tough Love"
Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen KingER DoctorEpisode: "Autopsy Room Four"
2006–2009Thank God You're HereHimself9 episodes
2007Sea PatrolToby "Chefo" Jones13 episodes
The LibrariansLachie Davis6 episodes
2007–2009Chandon PicturesCarmichael Chandon11 episodes
2009Wipeout AustraliaHimself (Presenter)8 episodes
2010WilfredSpencerEpisode: "The Dog Father"
HawkeGrant NihillTelevision film
Romantically ChallengedShawn Goldwater6 episodes
2011Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got AwayMichael SullivanTelevision film
2012LowdownMark HardyEpisode: "A Bollywood Ending"
2012–2016House of LiesDoug Guggenheim58 episodes
2014KinneGuest Cast6 episodes
2015–2018SuperstoreTate StaskiewiczRecurring role
2016WreckedEricEpisode: "The Adventures of Beth and Lamar"
2017Hoges: The Paul Hogan StoryPaul HoganMiniseries; 2 episodes
2018Welcome to the NeighborhoodDaveUnaired pilot (replaced by Max Greenfield)
2021Have You Been Paying Attention?Himself1 episode
2022Cobra KaiOwen1 episode
2023Would I Lie To You? AustraliaHimself1 episode
2024–presentSt. Denis MedicalDr. BruceMain role

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Rocket DogBob (voice)Short film

External links