Peter Cousens

Peter Cousens (born in 1955) is an Australian actor, born in Tamworth, New South Wales. He attended The Armidale School in Armidale (1969–73) and then Gordonstoun School, Scotland. He then spent a year reading Arts at St Paul's College, Sydney University before studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), graduating in 1978. Cousens has worked in television, both as an actor and presenter. In the 1980s he guest starred in a number of major Australian television productions, including The Sullivans, The Young Doctors, Sons and Daughters and The Restless Years. He then went on to take leading roles in Under Capricorn and Return to Eden. Though an actor, Cousens is also known for his work in musical theatre. Major roles include The Phantom in London's West End production of The Phantom of the Opera (1986); he also portrayed Marius in Les Misérables and Chris in Miss Saigon in the Australian productions. He has received a number of Variety Club of Australia awards for his work. Cousens is a professional singer on a number of cast and solo albums. He sang the role of Chris on the International Symphonic Recording of Miss Saigon. In September 2006 he launched Kookaburra: The National Musical Theatre Company, a non-profit theatre company based in Australia, dedicated to musical theatre. As of January 2009 the company ceased trading. In 2012–13, Cousens produced and directed Freedom, starring Cuba Gooding Jr, Bill Sadler and Sharon Leal. The film was produced by Production One Inc and released in Australia in August 2014.