Sullivan Stapleton is an Australian actor best known as Damien Scott in the action series Strike Back, Kurt Weller in the NBC drama Blindspot, and Themistocles in 300: Rise of an Empire. He has built a career playing tough, physical leading men on both sides of the Atlantic, and he is one of Australia’s most recognisable television stars.
At 49, Stapleton remains a leading figure in action television. He played Kurt Weller, the FBI agent at the centre of the tattoo mystery, for five seasons of Blindspot (2015–2020), and he starred as Craig Cody in the Australian crime classic Animal Kingdom (2010).
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Sullivan Stapleton |
| Date of Birth | 14 June 1977 |
| Age | 49 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Nationality | Australian |
Who Is Sullivan Stapleton?
Sullivan Stapleton is an Australian actor who first came to attention as Josh Hughes in the soap Neighbours in 1998. He then worked in Australian film and television for more than a decade, including the series The Secret Life of Us and the film Animal Kingdom (2010), in which he played Craig Cody, one of the Cody brothers.
Stapleton is best known internationally as Damien Scott, the former Delta Force operative, in the action series Strike Back (2010–2015), opposite Philip Winchester, and as Kurt Weller in the NBC crime drama Blindspot (2015–2020), opposite Jaimie Alexander. He also played Themistocles, the Greek general, in the film 300: Rise of an Empire (2014).
Early Life & Background
Sullivan Stapleton was born on 14 June 1977 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and he grew up in the city. He began acting as a teenager, and he studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, graduating in 1998.
After graduating from NIDA, Stapleton worked in Australian theatre and television, including the series Neighbours, in which he played Josh Hughes from 1998 to 1999, and The Secret Life of Us, in which he played Justin Davies-Swift. He also appeared in the Australian films The Condemned (2007) and The Hunter (2011).
Career
Stapleton’s breakthrough came in 2010, when he joined the cast of Strike Back as Damien Scott, a role he played for five seasons. The series was a hit in the United Kingdom and the United States, and it made Stapleton a recognised action star. He then played Themistocles in 300: Rise of an Empire (2014), the sequel to Zack Snyder’s 300.
In 2015 Stapleton was cast as Kurt Weller in Blindspot, the NBC drama in which a woman with no memory and a body covered in tattoos is found in Times Square. The show ran for five seasons and 100 episodes, and Stapleton played Weller, the FBI agent who leads the investigation, throughout.
Before Blindspot, Stapleton appeared in the Australian film Animal Kingdom (2010), which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and in the film The Hunter (2011), opposite Willem Dafoe, in which he played a mercenary.
Facts About Sullivan Stapleton
- He played Damien Scott in the action series Strike Back (2010–2015).
- He played Kurt Weller in the NBC drama Blindspot (2015–2020) for five seasons.
- He played Themistocles in 300: Rise of an Empire (2014).
- He played Craig Cody in the Australian crime film Animal Kingdom (2010).
- He studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), graduating in 1998.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sullivan Stapleton?
Sullivan Stapleton was born on 14 June 1977, making him 49 years old as of November 2026.
Where is Sullivan Stapleton from?
He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and he trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.
What is Sullivan Stapleton best known for?
He is best known for Strike Back, Blindspot, 300: Rise of an Empire and Animal Kingdom.
What is Sullivan Stapleton doing now?
He starred as Kurt Weller in Blindspot (2015–2020) and continues to work in film and television.
Is Sullivan Stapleton in a relationship?
No partner has been publicly confirmed for Sullivan Stapleton, who keeps his private life out of the public eye.