Ben Hall (Australian actor)

{{Infobox person

| name = Ben Hall

| birth_place = Perth, Australia

| birth_date =

| occupation = Actor

| years_active = 2014–present

}}

Ben Hall is an Australian actor. He is known for his roles in Australian television series which began with his role as Finton Kelly in the Showcase drama Devil's Playground. From 2016 until 2022, Hall played the role of Ned Willis in the soap opera Neighbours. In 2023, Hall filmed the role of Mark Waugh in the Nine Network television series, Warnie.

Early life

Ben Hall was born in Perth, Western Australia.{{cite web |title=Cast |url=https://elvisamusicalrevolution.com.au/cast/ |website=Elvis A Musical Revolution |access-date=20 June 2023}} Hall's father is British.{{cite magazine |last1=Myers |first1=Matthew |title=The other Ben Hall |magazine=DNA |date=3 April 2017 |issue=207 |pages=38-39}} When he was a child, Hall attended a male only Catholic school. He is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).{{cite web |last1=Julians |first1=Joe |title=Neighbours star Ben Hall talks Ned's connection with Sheila - and what it means for him and Yashvi |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/neighbours/neighbours-ben-hall-sheila-ned-exclusive-newsupdate/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=4 June 2021}} Hall appeared in different stage musicals following his graduation and is a trained singer.{{cite web |title=Ben Hall |url=https://www.ensemble.com.au/cast-creatives/ben-hall/ |website=Ensemble Theatre |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=17 October 2017}}{{cite web |title=Ben Hall |url=https://www.emvoices.com.au/artists/ben-hall/ |website=EM Voices |access-date=20 June 2023}}

Career

Hall began his television career in 2014, playing Finton Kelly in the Showcase drama Devil's Playground. Hall described researching the role as "harrowing" but it was "incredible" to be a part of a big production. That year, Hall appeared as Hal Cooper in two episodes of ABC1 television drama, ANZAC Girls.{{cite episode|title=Mateship|series=ANZAC Girls|series-link=ANZAC Girls|credits=Executive producers: Des Monaghan, Greg Haddrick, David Ogilvy; Director: Ian Watson; Writers: Niki Aken|network=ABC1|airdate=7 September 2014|series-number=1|number=5}}{{cite episode|title=Courage|series=ANZAC Girls|series-link=ANZAC Girls|credits=Executive producers: Des Monaghan, Greg Haddrick, David Ogilvy; Director: Ian Watson; Writers: Felicity Packard|network=ABC1|airdate=14 September 2014|series-number=1|number=6}} In 2017, Hall played the gay lead character, Tim in the Australian stage musical Only Heaven Knows.{{cite web |title=Only Heaven Knows |url=https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/only-heaven-knows/ |website=Hayes Theatre Co |access-date=20 June 2023}} He then secured guest roles in Nine Network's drama series Love Child, the Network 10 mini-series Brock and a role in a comedy series titled HActresses.{{cite web |title=HActresses |url=https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/scholarlywork/1353938-hactresses |website=University of Melbourne |access-date=20 June 2023}}

In 2016, Hall joined the cast of Australian soap opera Neighbours, playing the recurring role of Ned Willis.{{cite web |title=A new Willis joins Ramsay Street |url=http://www.channel5.com/a-new-willis-joins-ramsay-street |website=Channel 5 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311032516/http://www.channel5.com/a-new-willis-joins-ramsay-street |archive-date=11 March 2016 |date=10 March 2016}} He filmed a second guest appearance in 2016.{{cite web |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=Ned's back in Neighbours! Ben Hall shares fun snaps |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a798879/who-wore-it-better-neighbours-star-ben-hall-shares-fun-picture-after-returning-to-filming-as-ned-willis/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=23 June 2016}} After Hall made his third return, the show's producer Jason Herbison revealed that Hall originally did not want to make a long-term commitment to the show.{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=New Neighbours spoilers! We speak to the show's boss |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a816986/neighbours-spoilers-producer-jason-herbison-reveals-2017-gossip/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=15 December 2016}} Hall reconsidered and wanted to return on a regular basis.{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Neighbours star reveals a new love interest for Ned |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a803601/neighbours-spoilers-ben-hall-ned-willis-new-love-interest/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=5 August 2016}} Hall joined the show's regular cast in 2018.{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Neighbours confirms return for Ned Willis |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a857482/neighbours-ned-willis-return-cassius-grady/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=18 May 2018}} In 2022, prior to the show's cancellation, Hall decided to leave the role.{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Neighbours lines up cast departures ahead of show's final months |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a39420722/neighbours-spoilers-cast-exits-march-2022/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=14 March 2022}} Hall returned once again to film scenes for the show's would be final episodes. Hall later revealed that he would not be returning after the show was renewed by Amazon Freevee, but was not opposed to doing so.{{cite web |last1=Sarrubba |first1=Stefania |title=Neighbours star addresses whether Ned will return for revival |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a43533458/neighbours-ben-hall-ned-return-revival/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=6 April 2023}} Hall stated that while appearing on Neighbours, he rarely showcased his comedy skills he had learned from studying at WAAPA.

In 2023, Hall played the role of Sam Philips in the touring theatrical musical, Elvis A Musical Revolution, which is based on the American singer Elvis Presley. In June 2023, it was announced that Hall will appear as Mark Waugh in the Nine Network television series, Warnie.{{cite web |title=‘Warnie’ (Promo) |url=https://if.com.au/warnie-promo/ |website=IF Magazine |access-date=20 June 2023 |date=16 June 2023}} He has also filmed an upcoming role in a Robbie Williams biopic titled Better Man.

In April 2024, Hall was announced in the leading role of Mick Dennis in Matthew Holmes' upcoming film adaption The Guns of Muschu, based on the novel by Don Dennis.{{cite web|url=https://cinemaaustralia.com.au/2024/04/23/the-legend-of-ben-hall-filmmaker-matthew-holmes-announces-new-film-the-guns-of-muschu/|date=23 April 2024|title=Matthew Holmes has announced his new film, The Guns of Muschu|website=Cinema Australia|access-date=11 August 2024}}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Title ! scope="col" \| Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| Notes
rowspan="2" scope="row" \| 2014 \| ANZAC Girls \| Hal Cooper \| Guest role
Devil's Playground \| Finton Kelly \| Guest role
scope="row" \| 2016 \| Brock \| Phillip 'Pin' Brock \| Guest role
scope="row" \| 2016–2022 \| Neighbours \| Ned Willis \| Regular role
rowspan="2" scope="row" \| 2017 \| Love Child \| Alan Fitzgerald \| Guest role
HActresses \| Auditioning hot actor \| Guest role
scope="row" \| 2022 \| Call Me Chihiro \| Terao / Man 5 / Hosokawa \| Voice over
scope="row" \| 2023 \| Warnie \| Mark Waugh \| Guest role, 1 episode
2024 \|Total Control (TV series) \|James \|Guest role; 2 episodes

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2014

| ANZAC Girls

| Hal Cooper

| Guest role

Devil's Playground

| Finton Kelly

| Guest role