Actors 0

Tim Ross

By Matt Myers · On April 2022

From Wonderland to Home and Away, Tim Ross is a familiar face on Australian television. Currently he’s Romance on the Menu for Netflix.

It’s been a while since your days on Wonderland, but you’ve clocked up regular roles on The Code, Harrow and Home and Away. Are you now a seasoned actor?

(Laughing) I only feel seasoned because it’s been such a long time. I got into this game about twenty years ago, but the work comes in waves with a lot of downtime. People think we’re living the dream and kicking back, but there’s a lot of struggle which I like to be brutally honest about. It’s important for people to know the behind the scenes where we rarely bounce from show to show, but I’m certainly seasoned in understanding how it all works.

A few years back you also did a stint on Neighbours. How does Ramsay Street compare to Summer Bay?

Temperature wise, Ramsay Street’s a lot colder! Neighbours was my first gig and I played opposite Margot Robbie (I, Tonya) so you could say I peeked early! Then on Home and Away I was opposite Georgie Parker, who’s another seasoned Aussie actor. I grew up watching those shows and when I was on Neighbours Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) was away and on Home and Away Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) was also absent, so I didn’t get to meet two of the all-time greats! Those shows run like a well-oiled machine and you learn to work very fast.

Actor Tim Ross, currently seen in Romance On The Menu. The Celebrity Whisperer Matt Myers

Actor Tim Ross, currently seen in Netflix’s Romance On The Menu

Speaking of romantic leads, your movie Romance on the Menu (US title Hearts Down Under) is currently on Netflix. What was filming that like?

It was my first lead in a film, and we shot it in fourteen days with one camera, which is almost unheard of. It followed the pattern of the American Hallmark films, and every scene was pretty much shot in one take, because we moved so quickly. So, the pressure was on, but Wonderland was my training ground and gave me a good on-set confidence.

In Romance on the Menu you play an Aussie chippie (carpenter) which you actually were before acting! Handy skills!

True! And there were a few times where I thought “Hey, these are the wrong screws!” I grew up working as a chippie for my dad in Adelaide but realized early on that I didn’t want to do that with my life. But now being older with my own home and a family, I appreciate knowing that stuff because I can do a lot of odd jobs.

Tim Ross plays Simon Cook, along with Cindy Busby as Caroline Wilson in Romance On The Menu

Do you understand the attraction gay men have to tradies? The rough cowboy swagger and exterior?

Yeah, it’s kind it’s like the greasy fireman calendars, isn’t it? There’s something appealing about the man who gets his hands dirty! (laughs). The funny thing about Romance on the Menu was how they really followed the guidelines and rules for Hallmarks films. I had to get my chest waxed and I couldn’t look dirty. Even though I was fixing a roof in forty-degree (104F) heat, I couldn’t have any sweat or grime. It was a very clean and shiny film!

“I’d love the challenge of playing a gay character.”

What about your upcoming series Rock Island Mysteries?

It’s more of a kids show for Nickelodeon and my character comes in at the end of season one and then continues into the next. I tend to get typecast based on my appearance, which is why back in the day I preferred doing stage because there’s such an array of roles to sink my teeth into. So, I’m trying to break away from the romantic character mould and in Rock Island Mysteries I play the evil kind of guy who runs an institution! Filming that was so much fun and I for the first time in years I felt like a kid again!

Tim Ross as James Mayvers, with Georgie Parker as Ruth Stewart on Home and Away

Have you played a gay role?

I did in drama school, in a stage production of Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme and played David Craig. I recently got asked to go for a gay role on Neighbours but I said no, not because I would ever have a problem playing a gay role, but I feel there’s so many fantastic gay actors out there that are more deserving to play it. I feel like I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but at the same time I’d love the challenge of playing a gay character.

Tim Ross in his role as John Martin in Netflix’s Dive Club

Have you ever had a big night out with your gay mates?

Oh definitely! I used to go to Sydney’s Kings Cross and do karaoke at the drag queen bars. They were fantastic nights!

So, what’s your go-to dance floor song?

I get revved up from edamame by bbno$ & Rich Brian. I saw a girl skipping to it on Instagram and it’s a pretty cool song to get you going.

Do you still get confused with the comedian Tim Ross (Rosso)?

(Laughing) Yeah, all the time! He just released a book, and my sister got a text from a friend asking about her brother’s new book! We always get confused and there’s been articles about him where they’ve used my headshot and there are times when I’ll walk a red carpet and get asked how I broke into comedy. For a while there our IMDB credits were mixed up! He once invited me onto his radio show, and he gave me a lot of shit about it, including changing my name! But he’s lovely and we get on well.

Tim Ross as Gary ‘Chikka’ Berich in Informer 3838

In your last interview you said your gay crush would be Bear Grylls. Anyone new to add?

I’ll say Matthew McConaughey. I recently listened to his audiobook novel Greenlights which I found really inspiring. I now have a whole new appreciation for him. He’s a very handsome bloke too with a bit of twang in his accent.

And your diva is still Pink and Blondie!

I’ll now add Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. I love the version of Don’t Dream It’s Over that Ariana did with Miley Cyrus at the One Love Manchester concert. But I have to say that I’m obsessed with Adele and her new album 30.

Do you have a grooming tip?

I do like to keep a bit of manicured growth on my face for audition purposes, and I use an oil on the blade of my electric shaver. I’m always told that in the makeup chair too!

Art does imitate life! Tim grew up working as a chippie (builder) with his dad

What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?

On Wonderland my character and his wife decided to have a nude day. They promised me it would be a closed set, which means only the essential people are there. I had to put my package in a little cover like a soft sunglasses case with a drawstring. It’s quite daunting walking onto the set like that, and of course it wasn’t closed at all. Every single person was there and my castmate Ben Mingay ran in with his phone and took about fifty shots!

“I had to put my package in a little cover like a soft sunglasses case with a drawstring.”

Tell us about your involvement with the Capricorn Film Festival.

It runs for about six days at Yeppoon in Queensland, with a film showcase both nationally and internationally. My job was to give a talk to the local emerging artists and give some insight in terms of working in the industry. It was a great experience chatting and mingling with the audience.

And the Warehouse Workshop Actors Studio?

Here on the Gold Coast I teach acting for the screen with a heavy emphasis on auditioning, including some directing. It’s the same kind of thing again, where I try and give people some guidance, because I really didn’t have that when I first came out of drama school. I had to navigate through this world on my own and it can be a very dark and lonely place at times.

Who has been your biggest inspiration in the acting profession?

At the moment I’m striving to go past McConaughey, but as a little kid I was a huge Leonardo DiCaprio fan. He really caught my attention in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and that’s probably what got me started, because I used to impersonate him when I was younger. I loved performing and becoming other characters.

On the beach are you boardies or speedos?

With my legs, definitely boardies!