Simon Baker is an Australian actor best known as Patrick Jane, the former psychic turned consultant, in the CBS drama The Mentalist. He first won attention in Australia in E Street and Home and Away, then built a career in Hollywood with roles in L.A. Confidential and The Devil Wears Prada. He is also a director, having made his feature debut with the surfing drama Breath (2017).
At 57, Baker remains a leading figure in Australian film and television. He starred in the acclaimed 2023 film Limbo and headlined the Netflix series The Survivors (2025). He was previously married to actress Rebecca Rigg, and they have three children together.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Simon Baker |
| Date of Birth | 30 July 1969 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, director |
| Former Wife | Rebecca Rigg (married 1998; separated 2020) |
| Children | Three (Stella, Claude and Harry) |
| Nationality | Australian |
Who Is Simon Baker?
Simon Baker is an Australian actor and director known worldwide as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist (2008–2015). In the series Baker played a former fake psychic who uses his skills of observation to help the California Bureau of Investigation solve murders, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama in 2009 and a Golden Globe nomination the following year.
Before The Mentalist, Baker played attorney Nick Fallin in the CBS legal drama The Guardian (2001–2004), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in 2002. He also appeared as Christian Thompson, the rival of Anne Hathaway’s character, in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), and as Matt Reynolds in L.A. Confidential (1997), his first Hollywood film role.
Early Life & Background
Simon Baker was born on 30 July 1969 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, the son of Elizabeth Labberton, a high-school English teacher, and Barry Baker, a schoolteacher and mechanic. He grew up in Lennox Head, New South Wales, near Byron Bay, and attended Ballina High School.
After leaving school Baker moved to Sydney, where he worked as a labourer and a lifeguard, before he was cast in the Australian soap E Street in 1992. He went on to play James Hudson in Home and Away from 1993 to 1994, and his early film work included the Australian drama Heart and Bones (1998) and the historical film Secret Men’s Business (1999).
Career
Baker moved to the United States in the late 1990s, and L.A. Confidential gave him his Hollywood start. He returned to television with the short-lived series The Guardian, which ran for three seasons and earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He then appeared in films including Land of the Dead (2005), The Devil Wears Prada and Something New (2006).
The Mentalist, which ran for seven seasons and 151 episodes, made Baker a global star. The show was a ratings hit in the United States and internationally, and Baker also directed several episodes. After it ended in 2015, he returned to Australia to direct his first feature film, Breath (2017), an adaptation of Tim Winton’s coming-of-age novel about two teenage surfers in Western Australia. The film was nominated for nine AACTA Awards, including Best Film.
In recent years Baker has starred in the Australian crime film Limbo (2023), in which he played detective Travis Hurley, earning an AACTA nomination for Best Actor, and in The Survivors (2025), the Netflix adaptation of Jane Harper’s novel, in which he played Kieran Elliott, a man who returns to his Tasmanian hometown.
Facts About Simon Baker
- He played Patrick Jane for seven seasons and 151 episodes of The Mentalist.
- He earned an Emmy nomination in 2009 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for The Mentalist.
- He directed Breath (2017), an adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel, filmed in Western Australia.
- He appeared in L.A. Confidential (1997) early in his Hollywood career.
- He earned an AACTA nomination for Best Actor for his role in Limbo (2023).
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Simon Baker?
Simon Baker was born on 30 July 1969, making him 57 years old as of November 2026.
Where is Simon Baker from?
He was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, and grew up in Lennox Head, New South Wales.
Who is Simon Baker’s wife?
He was married to actress Rebecca Rigg from 1998 until they separated in 2020. They have three children, Stella, Claude and Harry.
What is Simon Baker best known for?
He is best known as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist (2008–2015), and for The Guardian, The Devil Wears Prada and L.A. Confidential.
What is Simon Baker doing now?
He starred in the film Limbo (2023) and headlined the Netflix series The Survivors (2025).