Simon Baker to receive “trailblazer” award

Actor Simon Baker will receiver the Trailblazer Award at the AACTA Awards on Wednesday.

The Award recognises the multi-disciplinary achievements of talented individuals, acknowledging their valuable contribution to promoting Australian screen excellence, both here and abroad.

“It’s an honour to be acknowledged at all, but to be acknowledged at home, in Australia, resonates so profoundly for me,” said Baker.

“Simon Baker’s stellar reputation with audiences and industry worldwide has made him an incredible ambassador for the Australian screen industry and the outstanding screen talent it produces,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. “From his success on US television to his return to Australia for his feature film directorial debut, Simon’s career trajectory stands as an inspiration to future generations in the industry.”

Baker, best known for The Mentalist, landed his first TV role in 1989’s E Street (as Simon Baker-Denny), and went on to appearances in Home and Away, Sweat, Heartbreak High and The Guardian, plus film roles in LA Confidential, Red Planet, The Devil Wears Prada, I Give It a Year and Breath.

Baker was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.

TV Tonight is a partner of the 2017 AACTA Awards.