Barry Otto is an Australian actor and voice artist probably best known for the Australian TV series "Dance Academy" and his work in the movies "Bliss," "Legend of the Guardians" and "The Great Gatsby."
Born in Brisbane in 1941, Otto was the son of a butcher. He originally trained as an artist but later switched to acting. His first known credits were the TV series "Until Tomorrow," "Case for the Defense" and "Tickled Pink." In 1977, he starred with Benny Hill in the TV Special Benny Hill: Down Under playing one of Benny Kelly's outlaws, a stable mate to Lady Godiva and Benny's son in "Hold Back The Wind." He later appeared in the TV series "A Country Practice."
Otto received an AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie "Strictly Ballroom" in the 90s. He also received nominations for his roles in "Bliss," "Cosi" and "The More Things Change." His other films include "Australia," "The Dressmaker," "Kiss or Kill," "Dead Letter Office," "The Visitor," "The Great Gatsby," "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," "Love's Brother" and "Blinky Bill: The Movie." An amateur artist, he has twice entered for the Archibald Prize.
Otto has three children. He has a daughter, Miranda, by his first wife and two, a son named Eddy and a daughter named Gracie by his partner, Sue Hill.