# Peter Rowsthorn (actor)

Peter Rowsthorn (born 9 February 1963) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, MC, host and theatre.

## Early life and education

Rowsthorn attended Trinity Grammar School in Kew, before pursuing tertiary education at Rusden College (now part of Deakin University), where he obtained a teaching degree. He worked as a drama teacher, prior to his show business career. He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley.

## Career

Rowsthorn started performing as half of the comedy and singing duo The Cactus Brothers in 1983 while studying for his degree.
He first came to prominence as a stand-up comic and as a writer and performer on The Comedy Company (1989). Rowsthorn appeared with Warren Mitchell in the film Crackers (1998), was a lead in the Australian children's television show The Gift (1997), had small roles in Bad Eggs and Take Away (both 2003) and played an outrageous hairdresser called 'Miss Kafka' in the Sigrid Thornton telemovie Little Oberon (2005). He played Warren Cronkshonk in hospital spoof Let the Blood Run Free (1990–1992).
He is probably best known for his TV work, particularly as Brett Craig in the hit series Kath & Kim (2002–2007) and 2012 movie, Kath & Kimderella. In 2022, Rowsthorn reprised the character of Brett for the Kath and Kim special that aired on channel 7.
Rowsthorn was the host of factual show, Can We Help?, on ABC TV between 2006 and 2011.
Rowsthorn has also appeared on Thank God You're Here, Celebrity Name Game, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Studio 10, Show Me the Movie! and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
In 2018, Rowsthorn appeared on the fourth season of the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. On 7 March 2018, Rowsthorn was evicted after 40 days in the jungle, coming 6th place.
In 2023, Rowsthorn competed on the celebrity edition of The Amazing Race Australia with his daughter, Frankie. In December 2023, Rowsthorn played the character Amos in the theatrical production of Chicago.

## Personal life

Rowsthorn supports various charity and community groups including Oxfam.
Rowsthorn is a featured guest on SBS genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?.
As of 2013, he resides in Perth, Western Australia.
His older brother is prominent Melbourne businessman Mark Rowsthorn. His father is Peter Rowsthorn Snr.
He is a keen follower of AFL club Hawthorn.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Bonza | Terry | Short film |
| 1998 | Crackers | Bruno | |
| 2003 | Roy Hollsdotter Live | Comic | Television film |
| 2003 | Bad Eggs | Wacka | |
| 2003 | Take Away | Barry Burgie | |
| 2005 | Little Oberon | Miss Kafka | Television film |
| 2005 | Da Kath & Kim Code | Brett Craig | Television film |
| 2011 | The Applicant | Applicant | Short film |
| 2012 | Kath & Kimderella | Brett Craig | |
| 2012 | Exchange Student Zero | Denmead (voice) | Television film |
| 2014 | Paper Planes | Mr. Hickenlooper | |
| 2014 | Timothy | Colin Garrett | Television film |
| 2014 | Welcome to Dookie | Ray | Short film |
| 2015 | Looking for Grace | Steve | |
| 2017 | Crumbs | Courier | Short film |
| 2017 | Three Summers | Tony | |
| 2020 | I Met a Girl | Mr. Rocket | Television Film |
| 2020 | Cadet | Dad | Short film |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988-90 | The Comedy Company | Newsplanet Frontman | |
| 1990 | Catalyst | Himself | |
| 1990-93 | Let the Blood Run Free | Warren Cronkshonk | 26 episodes |
| 1991 | Tuesday Night Live: The Big Gig | Himself | |
| 1995 | Something Hot Before Bed | Himself | |
| 1997 | The Gift | Ralf | 26 episodes |
| 1998 | Hessie's Shed | Himself | 1 episode |
| 1999 | All Star Squares | Panelist | |
| 1999 | Law of the Land | Scott | 1 episode |
| 2000 | Introducing Gary Petty | Dylan | 1 episode |
| 2000 | Chuck Finn | Drake | 1 episode |
| 2001-05 | Rove Live | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2002-07 | Kath & Kim | Brett Craig | 32 episodes |
| 2003 | Show Us Your Roots | Himself | TV special |
| 2004 | All Saints | John Morton | 1 episode |
| 2005 | Australia Unites: Reach Out to Asia | Himself | TV special |
| 2005 | Telethon | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2005-06 | The Footy Show | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2006 | Bert's Family Feud | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2006-07 | Get This | Himself | Podcast Series, 9 episodes |
| 2006-09 | Thank God You're Here | Himself | 7 episodes |
| 2006-12 | Can We Help? | Himself | |
| 2006-16 | 20 to 1 | Actor & Comedian | 12 episodes |
| 2007 | The Nation | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Spicks and Specks | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Snake Tales | Jake Johnson | 13 episodes |
| 2009 | Celebrity MasterChef Australia | Contestant | 10 episodes |
| 2009-19 | Talkin' Bout Your Generation | Himself | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | The Bounce | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2010-11 | Statesmen of Comedy Himself | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | The Jesters | Kenny Ford | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Between the Lines | Himself | |
| 2011 | Henry & Aaron's 7 Steps to Superstardom | Magnus | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Mal.com | Franky | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Underbelly | Eric Harrison | 1 episode |
| 2013 | The Silic & Lee Show | Himself, Brett Craig | 1 episode |
| 2013 | It's a Date | Michael | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Open Slather | Special Guest | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Actor & comedian | 1 episode |
| 2018 | I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | Contestant | 31 episodes |
| 2018 | Hughesy, We Have a Problem | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Show Me the Movie! | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2020 | Funny in Failure | Himself | Podcast series |
| 2022 | Kath and Kim: Our Effluent Life | Brett Craig | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Would I Lie to You? | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2023 | The Project | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2023 | The Amazing Race Australia | Contestant | 12 episodes |
| 2024 | Thrash 'n Treasure | Himself | 1 episode |