Brief biography

Christian Manon is a French-Australian actor based in Sydney and represented by Lee Leslie Management. He has worked with some of the major film studios such as Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight and New World Picture as well as many Australian independent filmmakers.
Manon is the grandson of turn-of-the-century French opera singer Max-Duiram (1876-1945). His most influential tutor was the most celebrated Czech national treasure Zora Semberova. He initiated and worked in various fringe companies before he appeared in many stage productions with the major Australian theatre companies and was regularly seen in film and on television. He also lent his voice to many ABC drama and documentary radio programs.
 

Detailed biography 

TELEVISION 

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2024 

"Louis Wozniak (Cleaner #2)" THE OFFICE  AUSTRALIA Amazon Prime Video Dir: Jackie van Beek, Christiaan Van Vuuren

2018 

"François" DOCTOR DOCTOR Season 3, episode 3 Nine Network dir: Lucy Gaffy

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2017

"Pierre" TRUE STORY WITH HAMISH & ANDY Season 1, episode 7 (Phil) Nine Network dir: Sian Davies

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2015   

"Forest Man" CUL DE SAC  Series Pilot. Dir: Michael Joy, Prod: Andrew McClean

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2014

"Himself" THESE HEATHEN DREAMS Documentary about poet Christopher Barnett by Anne Tsoulis. Prod Georgia Wallace-Crabbe, Les Balibari Films, Anne Tsoulis

"French Footman" AUSTRALIA : THE STORY OF US. Episode3. Essential Media and Entertainment dir: Lisa Matthews

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2013

"Louis Roche" A PLACE TO CALL HOME (ep#2.06 Aul Lang Syne) Seven Network dir : Lynn Hegarty

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"Ice Cream Vendor" PACKED TO THE RAFTERS (ep#118 Damage Control) Seven Network dir: JP Mignon

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"Old Soldier" AN ACCIDENTAL SOLDIER Kylie Dufresne/Sue Taylor ABC tv dir: Rachel Ward

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2007

"Francois" STUPID STUPID MAN 2 Jigsaw Entertainment dir: Will Usic

2005

“Smythe” ALL SAINTS ep#341 Seven Network dir: JP Mignon 

2002
“Gerard Petain” (1) BACKBERNER CJ prod ABC 

“Gerard Petain” (2) BACKBERNER CJ prod ABC

 
“Gerard Petain” (3) BACKBERNER CJ prod ABC

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2001
“Henri Valles” BACKBERNER CJ prod ABC 

“Jacques” BACKBERNER CJ prod ABC 

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"Jacques" HEADSTART (ep#Street Cred) Dir: Ian Watson. Gannon Television

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2000

“Francois Pinot” BACKBERNER Craker Jack Productions ABC

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1999

“George Quelleure” BONDI BANQUET Prod:Robin Kershaw Dir: Kay Pavlou and Ray Argall

1998

“Tenardier” A DIFFICULT WOMAN. Southern Star Dir Tony Tilse

1997

“Creature from the Black Lagoon” THE MUNSTER’S SCARRY LITTLE XMAS. CBS (USA)

1991

"Anonymous Caller" THE MIRACULOUS MELLOPS Millennium Pictures. Dir: Karl Zwicky

"French Waiter" G.P. ABC 

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1988

"French Priest" THE RAINBOW WARRIOR CONSPIRACY Golden Dolphin prod.

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"Marcel" A COUNTRY PRACTICE JNP Films. Dir: Peter Maxwell.

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"Maitre D" OUTBACK BOUND. CBS (USA), TNC Nine.Dir: John Llewellyn- Moxey.

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"Jean-Claude" THE LAST RESORT ABC & RCC. Dir:Geoffrey Notage.

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"Suhel" THE TOURIST SBS Dir: Terry Bourke.

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1987

"French Resistant" NANCY WAKE Miniseries Simpson/LeMesurier 7Network

"Lieutenant Bellamy" EMMA:QUEEN OF THE SOUTH SEAS ANRO Prod. 

1986
"Sam" THE FAST LANE A.B.C Dir: Marc Callan
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1985

"Doctor Rollet" TUSI TALA A.B.C and Channel Four (U.K) Dir: Ron Sharp

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1982

"Maitre D" BODYLINE Kennedy Miller Enterprises Dir: George Olgivie.

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FEATURE FILMS 

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2007

"The Magician" THE RESIDENT MAGICIAN Canterman Films Dir: Daniel Marsiglia

2002

“Mael” QUEEN OF THE DAMNED Warner Bros Dir: Michael Rymer 

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2001

"Alkaseltzer" THE OLD MAN WHO READ LOVE STORIES Fildebroc/France 2 Cinéma. Dir : Rolf de Heer

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2000

“Doctor Gradsky” MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 Paramount Pictures Dir: John Woo

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1998 

“Lab Technician” BABE: PIG IN THE CITY Universal Pictures Dir: George Miller

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1997 

“Mister Tomasetti” OSCAR AND LUCINDA Fox Searchlight Pictures and Meridian Films Dir: Gillian Armstrong 

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1989 

"French Leader" THE PUNISHER New World Picures. Dir: Mark Goldblatt

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1988

"Charles Darwin's Bodyguard" YOUNG EINSTEIN. Warner Bros.Dir: Yahoo Serious

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1985
"Tribesman" MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME Kennedy Miller Productions Dir: George Miller, George Olgivie

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1983

"Roadhouse Mechanic" MIDNITE SPARES Filmco Limited Dir: Quentin Masters

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"Polish Migrant" THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE Seven Keys Prod Dir: Philippe Mora

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SHORT FILMS 

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2020
"Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin" COOKED written & produced by Sophia O'Rourke. Dir: Ayesha Farooq. AFTRS

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2013

"Félix Souchon" LE CHIEN QUI FUME by Donna McRea & Michael Vale. Prod Liz Burke

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"Old Man" A FAREWELL PARTY by Sam & Tom McKeith. Prod Boulevard Film, Rob Coe & Carla Menezes Ribeiro

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"Raspoutine" FLAKE  by Cyrus Bezyan. Prod Taylor Litton-Strain. AFTRS
 

2012

"Pierre Bazinet" (lead role) AU P'TIT BONHEUR Dir : Mahveen Shahraki & David Kelly

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"Cleaner" GÖDEL, INCOMPLETE by Martha Goddard. Prod Lisa Hoppe. AFTRS

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2005

“Roland Desporge” FALLERS Dir: David Lawrance

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“The Mime” Music video for song “ALL NIGHT” by BIT BY BATS Dir. Amy Gebhardt 

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1997

"Dino Duluc" CIVIL WARS Dir: Madeleine Blackwell

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1996

“Jean-Pierre” DOWN RUSTY DOWN Dir: John Curran, Prod: Martha Coleman

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“Plastic Surgeon” WHAT’S THE DEAL Dir: Robert Mac 

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1991

"Blind Man" Cinematographer Workshop. AFTRS Dir: Joseph Damian 

1989

"Father Leyroud" HUNTING THE WILD PINEAPPLE. Dir: Don Colantonio, writer: Patricia L'Huede

"Jacques Brieur" LET THEM EAT CAKE. Sydney University of Tech.

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1988 

"The Mime" THE FIRST VALLEY. Dir: Mojgan Khadem AFTRS

1986
"Steven" (lead role). DEAD PROPER FELLOW. Swinburne 

"Jaromir Hladik (lead role) THE LABYRINTH. Swinburne 
 

"The Doctor" QUARRY. Swinburne 

"Restaurant Manager" REAL DREAMERS. Swinburne 

"The Psychiatrist" THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PHIL TYLER Dir: Andrew Dominik. Swinburne
 

1982

"Man" PORN AGAIN Dir:Pat Cranney .UTS

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1971

"Jeune Homme" JET DE SANG adapted from Spurt of Blood by Antonin Artaud. Dir: Jean-Luc Sellem

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1969

"Gendarme" LE CŒUR REVELATEUR adapted from The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

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ADVERTISEMENT FILMS

2021 Fairy Platinum Plus

2019 AutoTrader

2018 Powerball

2018 HCF (The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia)

2018 Moro Olive Oil

2016 Vape (Dubai) (vo)

2010 Speight's Summit Beer (NZ) (vo)

2009 V Energy Drink (vo)

2008 Herringbone

2006 Lipton Iced Green Tea

2006 Lamb (vo)

2005 Yen Magazine

2004 Enjo Gloves

2000 Buy.com

1999 Sakata Seeds (Japan)

1999 MacDonalds (Japan)

1999 Radio Rental

1996 Jarrah Coffee

1996 Sensodyne

1994 King Gee

1993 Twisties

1991 Vaseline Extra Care

1991 Cottees Jam

1990 Schweppes Tonic

1990 GIO

1981 Australian Red Cross Blood Service

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THEATRE 
 

2004 

“Anselme” in THE MISER by Moliere. SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY. Drama Theatre, Opera House. Dir: Jean-Pierre Mignon

1998 

“The Guide” in KING LEAR by Shakespeare.BELL/SHAKESPEARE COMPANY. Toured Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Dir: Barrie Kosky 

1997

“Monsieur Loyal” in TARTUFFE by Moliere. SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY Drama Theatre,Opera House. Dir: Barrie Kosky 

1994 

"Tiresias" in ANTIGONE by Sophocles. CROSSROADS THEATRE. Dir: Clara Mason. 

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1993 

"Maurice Duclos" in FALLEN ANGELS by Noel Coward.THE GORDON/ FROST ORGANISATION Dir: Christopher Renshaw. National tours of Australia and New Zealand. 

1989 "Gripe-Soleil" in THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by Beaumarchais. SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY at the Wharf. Dir: J.P. Mignon 

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1988

 "Count Edward de Monterey" in LES ENFANTS DU PARADIS adapted by Tobsha Learner. COMPANY B, Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney. Dir: Katerina Ivak. 

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"Tomali man" in A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE by Tennessee Williams. NICHOLS / BOHM Toured Sydney and Brisbane. Dir: Robin Lefevre.

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1987

 "The Chair" in THE CIRCUMNAVIGATIONS OF CAPTAIN ASTERION by Graham Henderson. LA MAMA THEATRE, Melbourne. Dir: Arpad Mihaly  

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  ***Received grant from the Theatre Board of the Australian Arts Council for the development of his play THE DEATH  INSTINCT, a biographical monologue of Jacques Mesrine.

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1986

 "Alan Moroney" (lead role) in DA VINCI WAS RIGHT by Roland Topor. Australian Nouveau Theatre at ANThill, Melbourne. Dir: J.P Mignon.

1985

"Clitandre" in THE MISANTHROPE by Moliere. SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY at the Wharf. Dir: J.P. Mignon. 

1984

"Ramon Gris" in THE BLIND GIANT IS DANCING by Stephen Sewell. SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY at the Drama Theatre, Opera House. Dir:Phillip Keir 

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   ***Adelaide 1984 Fringe Festival Theatre Award Winner with the double bill Down Under The Thumb + Out From Under under the title : DOWN AND OUT FROM UNDER

"Cidrolin Barette" in DAY TO DAY... by Sidetrack Theatre Company at Sailors Home Theatre, The Rocks, Sydney

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1983

"Hernan Ortiz" (lead role) in THE DISAPPEARED by David Holman. Sidetrack Theatre Company

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"Jean Capotti" in OUT FROM UNDER. Sidetrack Theatre Company

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"Joe Defer" in LOCO (Musical). Sidetrack Theatre Company

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1982

"Jean Capotti" in DOWN UNDER THE THUMB. Sidetrack Theatre Company

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"Phillippe Dumas" in CAMPOUT AT DOG'S BUSH. Sidetrack Theatre Company  

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1981 

CRIME OF PASSION (Solo Mimodrama self-choregraphed on the 2nd movement of Khachaturian Piano Concerto) at Sydney Fringe Festival Club and Footbridge Theatre.

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 "Judy" in PUNCH AND JUDY (Commedia Dell'Arte adapted from script by Robert Brough) by CHATTERBOX TRIO. Toured Sydney and suburbs.

"Harlequin" in LA DEPRESSION DU DOCTEUR (Commedia Dell'Arte) for the ALLIANCE FRANCAISE at the Footbridge Theatre, Sydney. 

"Max" (traditional clown) at Canberry Fair, Canberra Festival "Various" in A LA CARTE by CORPOREAL MIME THEATRE at Seymour Centre, Sydney

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1979-80

 "Various" in LIVING SKETCHES by AUSTRALIAN MIME THEATRE at Dom Polski Centre, Adelaide. Dir: Zora Semberova.

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 ART ATTACK and PUBLIC SPACE (2 short Mimodramas) by LA PETITE TROUPE at Various Adelaide's Fringe Venues. 

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1977-78

"Zanka Loï" in NARDUK by DEMITHEATRE, Sydney. Dir: Steve Peters. Toured N.S.W

1975-77 
Established Melanesian Youth Theatre in Lowiepeng,Tanna, Vanuatu. 
Creation/direction of four plays: Bobet, Les Deux Villages, Bons Amis, L'Oiseau Noir.

 

RADIO (ABC and/or Radio National)

2008

"Narrator" HINDSIGHT:HISTORY UNDER SIEGE

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"Olivier Messiaen" INTO THE MUSIC : TRANSCENDING TIME : MESSIAEN'S QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME

2004 

"d'Entrecasteaux" HINDSIGHT: D'ENTRECASTEAUX 

2003

"various" HINDSIGHT: THE LACEMAKERS OF CALAIS

2000

“Barralier” THE LISTENING ROOM : BARRALIER’S JOURNAL

"de La Billardiere" THE EUROPEANS 

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1999

“Excerpts from Albert Camus and Jean Genet” ENCOUNTER: 20th CENTURY SAINTS.

1998

"Albert de Lestang” THE LISTENING ROOM : THE FRENCHMAN”S GARDEN

1996

“Narrator” BACKGROUND BRIEFING : ALGERIA

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“Poems by Ho Chi Min” THE LISTENING ROOM : THE SILENT FOREST

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“Casanova” THE LISTENING ROOM : MEMOIRS OF CASANOVA

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1995

“Francois Peron” THAT’S HISTORY : THE ISLE MARIA 

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“Jean-Baptiste Fourier” THE LISTENING ROOM: FOURIER 

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“Narrator” THE LISTENING ROOM: PACIFIC MOMENTS

1992

"Black Caesar" OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD. 

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"Vincent Van Gogh" THE LISTENINGROOM: STARRY NIGHT. 

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"Marcel Proust" THE SCIENCE SHOW: THE BRAIN.

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1990

"Narrator" BACKGROUND BRIEFING: HAITI

 
1988
"French Man" THE AUNT'S STORY by Patrick White 

 

VOICING 

2012

"Various French" DEAD EUROPE. Feature film. Dir Tony Krawitz. See-Saw Films, Porchlight Films

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2010

“Various French” KILLER ELITE. Feature Film. Dir Garry McKendry. Omnilab Media

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2006

“French Captain” SUPERNOVA. Series two. dir : Sandy Johnson. FOX

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2004

"Ibrahim Keita" FOUR CORNERS: THE WILLIE BRIGITTE STORY ABC TV

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2003

"Narrator" AfriCAN [solutions]. Doco Series. Prod/Dir:Robin Newell (South Africa) 

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1992

"French Newsreader" FRANKIE'S HOUSE. Mini-series ABC

1987
"General de Gaulle" NANCY WAKE. Mini-series 7Network. Simpson/Le Mesurier

 

TRAINING

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DEMITHEATRE (1977-78) Sydney. Part of an ensemble of actors training in drama, movement and music in Warehouse 9, Nicholson St, Balmain East, under the direction of Steve Peters from John Strehlow's Triad Stage Alliance.

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AUSTRALIAN MIME THEATRE (1979-80) Adelaide. Full time classes in mime and movement, anatomy of movement, classical dance and expression, tutored by Zora Semberova ex-National Theatre of Prague. 

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Workshops:
Lindsay Kemp 1981 Sydney
Christoph Dehler of Teater Beljash 1984 Sydney
Ariane Mnouchkine of Théâtre du Soleil 1990 Paris​

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