1. Early life
Zoë Tuckwell-Smith's early life was marked by her birth in Sydney, Australia, and a unique childhood influenced by her parents' work and their subsequent divorce. Her educational journey led her to formal acting training at a prestigious institution.
1.1. Childhood and family
Zoë Tuckwell-Smith was born in Sydney. Shortly after her birth, her parents, who were working in Bangladesh at the time, returned there. When Tuckwell-Smith was five years old, her parents divorced, and she was subsequently raised by her mother in Sydney. She maintained a relationship with her father, whom she would visit during her school holidays. From a young age, Tuckwell-Smith showed a strong inclination towards acting, describing herself as "a dreamer - imaginative and creative" who enjoyed "putting on plays and making up stories to perform for [her] parents or [her] toys."
1.2. Education
Following her high school education, Tuckwell-Smith pursued her passion for acting by successfully gaining acceptance into the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). She completed her formal training at NIDA, graduating from the institute three years after her enrollment.
2. Career
Zoë Tuckwell-Smith's career began in the early 2000s, with a steady progression of roles across television and film, eventually leading to a prominent part in a major Australian drama series and involvement in a documentary with significant social themes.
2.1. Early career (2004-2008)
Tuckwell-Smith commenced her professional acting career in 2004, appearing in various television and film projects. Her initial television credits that year included Six Pack, All Saints, and The Cooks. She continued to build her resume with appearances in Home and Away and In Search of Paradise. In 2007, she was cast in Stupid Stupid Man, followed by roles in The Cut and The Strip in 2008.
2.2. Major television roles
A significant turning point in Tuckwell-Smith's television career came in 2011 when she joined the cast of Winners & Losers. She took on the leading role of Rebecca "Bec" Gilbert, which required her to relocate from Sydney to Melbourne for filming. Her portrayal of Bec Gilbert became her most recognized role, establishing her as a prominent figure in Australian television.
2.3. Major film and documentary roles
Beyond television, Tuckwell-Smith has participated in several feature films. Her filmography includes roles in Son of the Mask (2004), Gone (2005), Cactus (2008), and Primal (2010). In 2014, she also appeared as herself in the documentary That Sugar Film. A particularly notable documentary appearance was in the 2019 film 2040, which was written and directed by her husband, Damon Gameau. This documentary explores environmental themes and potential solutions for a sustainable future, aligning with a broader societal context of climate action.
2.4. Other media appearances
In addition to her work in traditional film and television, Tuckwell-Smith extended her reach into other media forms. In 2010, she made an appearance in the music video for "Planets" by the Australian pop-punk band Short Stack.
3. Personal life
Zoë Tuckwell-Smith's personal life is closely intertwined with fellow actor and director Damon Gameau, with whom she has built a family. The couple was introduced in 2009 by a mutual friend, actor Gyton Grantley, while they were both in East Timor. Their relationship progressed, and in June 2013, Tuckwell-Smith and Gameau announced that they were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Velvet Gameau, was born in November 2013. The couple later married in January 2016.
4. Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Son of the Mask | Mrs. Babcock | First film role |
| 2004 | Six Pack | Charlie Butterfield | First television role |
| 2004 | All Saints | Elle Campbell | Season 7, episode 28 |
| 2004 | The Cooks | Anna | |
| 2005 | Home and Away | Lisa Stanniford | |
| 2005 | Gone | Ingrid | |
| 2006 | In Search of Paradise | Nicki | |
| 2007 | Stupid Stupid Man | Gwen | |
| 2008 | Cactus | Sammy | |
| 2008 | The Strip | Cassie | |
| 2010 | Primal | Anja | |
| 2011-2014 | Winners & Losers | Bec Gilbert | Leading role |
| 2014 | That Sugar Film | Herself | Supporting role |
| 2019 | 2040 | Herself | Supporting role |