When he walked into the South African jungle on the 2026 season of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, fans were shocked and impressed with the 68-year old.
“I’m probably in the best shape of my life,” he beamed at the camera. Gary has been a major fixture of Australian film and television. The multiple TV WEEK Logie Award winner has plenty of credits to his name, from House Husbands to Stingers.
But who is the man behind the iconic roles?
Who is Gary Sweet?
Gary Sweet is a veteran Australian actor with a career spanning more than four decades, best known for his work in television dramas, films, and stage productions. And he’s also making a name for himself in reality TV with his current stint on I’m A Celebrity and his previous performance on Dancing with the Stars.
Born on 22 May 1957 in Melbourne, the 68-year-old originally trained to be a teacher before shifting into acting.
Gary shares his unusual childhood upbringing on I’m a Celebrity
On an episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Gary shares something he’s “never told before.”
He was raised by his aunt and uncle. His biological parents were pregnant with Gary, but were going through a divorce. But, Gary’s uncle and aunt were unable to conceive. And so, Gary’s biological parents essentially gifted him to his aunt and uncle to raise as their own.
He found out about the arrangement when he was quite young, around seven years old. He grew up with his four sisters as his cousins and he never thought it was that unusual because it’s what he’s always known.
“Growing up with people who really wanted you, that’s good,” he says in the episode.
“Everybodies really got a weird family,” Gary adds in the confessional. “What glues it all together is respect and love.”
Is Gary Sweet married?
No, Gary Sweet isn’t currently married. However, the award-winning actor has been married three times. Four times, if you count his on-screen marriage to I’m a Celebrity co-host, Julia Morris, while on House Husbands.
He was first married to Lenore Smith, also an actor, from 1981 to 1983. They didn’t have any children, and Lenore has since remarried to Warren Jones.
In the late 1980s, he married lawyer Jill Miller. They have two children together, Sophie and Frank, who is also an actor and food writer.
His most publicised marriage was to Better Homes and Gardens host and former Commonwealth-winning swimmer, Johanna Griggs. They were married from 1995 to 1999, and they also have two sons, Joe and Jesse.
The House Husbands star is reportedly in a long-term relationship with Nadia Dyall. They have two sons, Frederic and Percy. They are quite private and not much has been shared by either in public.
Does Gary Sweet have any children?
Yes! As mentioned, Gary has six children. He is also a grandfather! His son Joe welcomed his first child, son Jax, in 2018.
What are Gary Sweet’s most iconic roles in film and television?
As a veteran actor, Gary has plenty of credits to his name. He was also inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame in 2011 in recognition of his sustained contribution to the industry.
He’s recently had a stint on the final season of Neighbours, something that he has said has been a bucketlist job for him.
And, a recent short film starring Gary and Leeanna Walsman will premiere at Flickerfest as part of the Academy Award and BAFTA Qualifying Official Selection. See the trailer here.
Sergeant Steve “Mickey” McClintock
Police Rescue
A breakthrough and iconic role that earned him multiple awards and made him a household name in Australia.
Gary stars as Sergeant Steve “Mickey” McClintock, a member of the NSW Police Rescue Squad based in Sydney. The show follows the lives and cases of the officers.
Inspector Luke Harris
Stingers
Another police procedural, Stingers, follows a deep undercover unit in Victoria Police. The officers assume new identities and go undercover in criminal organisations. Gary Sweet joins later as Inspector Luke Harris, a commanding officer with a hidden bipolar disorder.
Sir Donald Bradman
Bodyline
Gary Sweet played the iconic Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman in the acclaimed 1984 Australian television miniseries Bodyline. The series follows the infamous 1932–33 Ashes cricket series, focusing on the “Bodyline” tactics used by the English team against the Australians. Hugo Weaving also stars in the film as English cricketer Douglas Jardine.
Cody
Cody
Yet another police procedural! Gary stars as the titular Cody. He’s a good cop who isn’t afraid to break a few rules.
Lewis Crabb
House Husbands
This popular show follows four families with one thing in common: the dads are raising the kids. In the show, Gary stars opposite Julia Morris as Lewis Crabb, an older, old-school dad navigating a later-in-life parenting role. Set in suburban Melbourne, the show explored friendship, masculinity, parenting, marriage and identity
