Jimi Bani

Bio

Jimi Bani is a proud Wagadagam man from Mabuyag Island in the Torres Strait. He is a highly respected actor with an impressive career spanning theatre, television, and film who graduated from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2007. He has worked with  many of Australia’s leading theatre companies and performed internationally, including at London’s prestigious Barbican Centre. He is also known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of land rights activist Eddie Mabo in the 2012 ABC telemovie Mabo.

Theatre credits include: Dear Son, Othello, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Our Town, Hedda, My Name Is Jimi (Queensland Theatre); Title and Deed, Peter Pan, The Sapphires, Yibiyung (Belvoir St Theatre); Storm Boy, Romeo and Juliet (Sydney Theatre Company); Shadow King, The Dragon (Malthouse Theatre); Sapphires (Korea tour), Jandamarra (Black Swan State Theatre Company), Shadow King (Barbican Centre London); Krakouer! (Deckchair); The Boy Who Found His Way Home (Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe); Half & Half (JUTE Theatre/Lone Star Productions).

Screen credits include feature film The Lost Tiger, A Thin Black Line, as well as television credits Black Snow (Stan), Black Comedy, Blue Water Empire, Ready for This, Redfern Now, Mabo, The Straits, Remote Area Nurse (all for ABC), and The People Speak Australia (WTFN/Foxtel).

Jimi has received the following awards for his acting: Matilda Award 2022 Best Male Actor in a Leading role (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf), Equity Ensemble Award – Mabo, BOFA Award – Best Actor (Mabo, The Straits) and Deadly Award – Male Actor of the Year (Mabo, The Straits); as well as being nominated for 6 other major acting awards including the 2017 National Dreamtime Award for ‘Best Male Actor’, the 2014 Helpmann Award nomination for ‘Best Male Actor’, the 2012 Silver Logie nomination for ‘Most Outstanding Actor in a Television Drama’ (Mabo), the 2012 AACTA nomination for ‘Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama’ (Mabo), the 2009 Helpmann nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ (Yibiyung) and the 2008 WA Equity Foundation nomination for ‘Best Newcomer’ (Jandamarra).