Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde first came to prominence in the mid-seventies with the legendary Aussie rock band OL’55, and since then have both enjoyed incredibly diverse careers on stage and screen. They are both individually instantly recognisable to any Australian as classically Australian, and when they are together, well, they are a couple of classics.
Frankie J Holden OAM was born in 1953, the same year as the FJ Holden was first manufactured and during the course of his diverse career he has become as much an icon as his automotive namesake.
On screen he has created some of Australian television’s most memorable characters through leading roles in: “EMBASSY”, “ROUND THE TWIST”,“POLICE RESCUE”,"SOMETHING IN THE AIR”, “UNDERBELLY” and recently, “A PLACE TO CALL HOME".
Frankie J has been recognized with many accolades within the industry including two Best Actor Awards and two nominations for Best Supporting Actor from the AFI, and has appeared in over thirty films both here and overseas such as “THE ODD ANGRY SHOT” “HIGH TIDE”, “EVIL ANGELS”, “THE BIG STEAL”, “RETURN HOME” “HAMMERS OVER THE ANVIL” and recently “CLUBLAND”, to name a few.
In 2019, Frankie J was awarded a Silver Logie for his work in A Place To Call Home.
In theatre, Frankie J has toured with “THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS”, “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”, “GREASE”, “SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL” and most recently “DON PARTIES ON” for the Melbourne Theatre Company.
As a popular TV presenter, Frankie J has shared his experiences roaming around the globe with millions of viewers on Channel 7’s “THE GREAT OUTDOORS” (1993-1996); hosted “IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT” (1996 – 1999), and co-hosted with his wife Michelle Pettigrove “WHAT’S UP DOWNUNDER” on the SEVEN and TEN Networks. (2006-2011).
In 2019, Frankie J Holden was awarded the Order Of Australia Medal for his services to entertainment.
Currently, Frankie can be seen as “Ian Shaw” in Home And Away on the Seven Network.
Wilbur Wilde first rose to fame as saxophonist with the great Aussie rock bands Ol’ 55 and Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons.
Over the years he has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Skyhooks, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Split Enz, Roy Orbison, Cold Chisel, Dire Straits, The Angels, Dragon, James Reyne and Jimmy Barnes.
Wilbur instantly became a household name as the resident saxophone player / comedian / nuisance on the phenomenally popular TV show HEY HEY ITS SATURDAY from 1984 to 1999. That gave Wilbur Wilde two hours exposure every Saturday night in millions of lounge-rooms across Australia for 16 years!
Since then he has made a number of guest appearances on shows such as THE FLYING DOCTORS, MDA, THE PAUL HOGAN SHOW, BLANKETY BLANKS, SALE OF THE CENTURY, CELEBRITY SQUARES, MTV, GETAWAY, POSTCARDS, and SPICKS AND SPECKS
On screen, Wilbur has had roles in MAD MAX 1, COOLANGATTA GOLD, DEAD END DRIVE-IN and in theatre in the ground breaking production of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW in the mid 1990’s.
Coupling a huge personality, well-honed sense of humour and a contact list the envy of Richard Wilkins, Wilbur has also has a long career as a radio presenter on numerous Melbourne stations
