Liam McIntyre

Liam McIntyre Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: February 8, 1982

Age: 42 years old

Birth Place: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

It is a common Hollywood practice for new actors to take over a hit franchise to revive a brand, yet in Liam McIntyre's case, his breakthrough role came on the heels of a tragic loss.

The Australian actor was still in the early stages of his acting career when he received a call to audition for the physically demanding lead role on "Spartacus" (Starz, 2010-13). Just two years before McIntyre made his debut on the critically acclaimed show, Andy Whitfield had played the iconic gladiator who leads a revolt against the Roman republic on the first season, titled "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Whitfield's untimely death from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2011 saddened the entertainment industry and the show's fans, but the series' production ultimately moved forward to pay respect to the foundation he had laid.

McIntyre was announced as Whitfield's replacement soon after and committed to the role, not only physically, but also on a mental and emotional level, mindful of continuing Whitfield's legacy while also making his own mark in the entertainment industry.

Born on Feb. 8, 1982 in Adelaide, Australia, Liam McIntyre began making inroads by acting in short films such as "Shotgun! (An Opening Sequence)" (2007) and "Fancy" (2007). His feature film debut was in the war-themed horror "Niflheim: Blood and Bullets" (2009).

McIntyre continued to make his name in his native country with guest appearances on two of Australia's most popular television shows, the police drama "Rush" (Network Ten, 2008-11) and the long-running soap opera "Neighbours" (7 Network, 1985- ), which had previously propelled the careers of fellow Aussies Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Natalie Imbruglia into international superstardom.

In 2010, McIntyre landed his first prominent role stateside when he was cast in "The Pacific." The epic HBO miniseries centered on the U.S. involvement in the Pacific theatre during World War II and was brought to life with the help of co-producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the team behind the Emmy Award-winning "Band of Brothers" (HBO, 2001).

McIntyre appeared in the "Iwo Jima" episode of the 10-part saga that also picked up several Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries.

McIntyre had just finished another film project in Australia when he auditioned for the titular role on "Spartacus." The Starz series premiered in 2010 with Welsh actor Andy Whitfield playing the famed gladiator who leads a slave rebellion. Following a successful first season, Whitfield announced he was taking a break from the show to undergo treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After much hope for his recovery, Whitfield lost his battle with cancer and passed away in September 2011.

His untimely death opened the door for another talented up-and-comer to assume the role of Spartacus. Whitfield was one of three actors who were asked to audition in New Zealand, although his incredibly skinny frame - a holdover from a previous role - made him an unlikely candidate to replace the muscular Whitfield, who had, poignantly, given his replacement his blessing before he passed away. Once cast, Whitfield bulked up with the help of a rigorous "gladiator boot camp" before filming began.

Committed to his new role physically, McIntyre also wanted to portray the iconic warrior his own way while remaining respectful and cognizant of Whitfield's work. In January 2012, "Spartacus: Vengeance" premiered with McIntyre in the lead role opposite returning cast members Lucy Lawless and John Hannah.

By Candy Cuenco

Credits

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One

Voice
Aquaman/Johnny Quick
Movie
2024

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three

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Aquaman
Movie
2024

Bring Him to Me

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Travis
Movie
2023

Designing Christmas with YouStream

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Ben Thurston
Movie
2023

Justice Society: World War II

Voice
Aquaman
Movie
2021

This Little Love of MineStream

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Chip
Movie
2021

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

Voice
Captain Boomerang
Movie
2020

The Clearing

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Tom
Movie
2020

Adriana Trigiani's Very Valentine

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Roman
Movie
2019

See You Soon

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Ryan Hawkes
Movie
2019

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

Voice
Captain Boomerang
Movie
2018

Pulse

Actor
Show
2017

Apple of My Eye

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Jason Andrews
Movie
2017

Albion: The Enchanted Stallion

Actor
Erémon
Movie
2017

The Wizards of Aus

Actor
Bronco the Slayer
Show
2016

Security

Actor
Vance
Movie
2016

Con ManStream

Guest Star
Girth Hemsworth
Series
2015

The Dream Children

Actor
Luke Delaney
Movie
2015

The FlashStream

Guest Star
Mark Mardon/Weather Wizard
Series
2014
89%

The Legend of HerculesStream

Actor
Sotiris
Movie
2014
5%

The Killing Field

Actor
Detective Senior Constable Dan Wild
Movie
2014

Spartacus: War of the Damned

Actor
Show
2013

Spartacus: The Legend Retold

Actor
Show
2013

Spartacus: War of the Damned: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

Anderson Live

Guest
Show
2012

Spartacus: Vengeance

Actor
Spartacus
Show
2012

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

The PacificStream

Guest Star
Lew
Miniseries
2010
91%

Spartacus

Actor
Show
2010

Bottled Up

Actor
Bruce
Movie
2010

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

The Soup

Guest
Talk
2004

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Gordon Ramsay/The Land Don Under
Series
1999

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