Rob Carlton
Award-Winning Actor, Speaker & MC
Rob Carlton is an award-winning Australian actor, writer and producer, renowned for his work across drama, comedy and live storytelling. His engaging, story-driven presentations draw on decades of performance experience, offering insight into creativity, resilience and human connection.
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Rob Carlton occupies a rare and highly respected space in the Australian performing arts landscape, equally acclaimed for his work in both drama and comedy. An award-winning actor across genres, Rob’s ability to move seamlessly between heartfelt storytelling, sharp comedy and powerful dramatic performance defines a career built on versatility, curiosity and resilience.
A professional actor since the age of 14, Rob’s career began with the iconic Australian film The Year My Voice Broke. Since then, he has become one of Australia’s most highly regarded performers, with an extensive body of work across television, film and theatre. His portrayal of Kerry Packer in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo and Paper Giants: Magazine Wars was met with critical and audience acclaim, earning him the Silver Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor.
Rob’s television credits span decades and include Black Snow, North Shore, Bali, Boy Swallows Universe, Underbelly III: The Golden Mile, The Hollowmen, Mabo, Riot, Wanted, All Saints, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, A Country Practice, E Street and many more. His feature film work includes Sweet River, That’s Not My Dog!, Mental, Any Questions for Ben?, Strange Bedfellows and The Year My Voice Broke.
Beyond acting, Rob is an accomplished writer, director and producer. Through his production company, Shadowfax TV, he co-created, co-directed, wrote and starred in the award-winning comedy series Chandon Pictures, broadcast on ABC TV and now streaming on Stan. The series earned multiple Logie, AFI, Writers Guild and Directors Guild nominations, with Rob winning an Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Best Narrative Comedy. Chandon Pictures has been sold into more than 15 international territories, including the UK and the USA.
Rob’s creative success also extends to theatre and short film. His play A-Framed achieved critical and box office success and has been produced by multiple theatre companies in Sydney and Melbourne. His short film Carmichael and Shane won Tropfest, while How Many Doctors Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb won Best Comedy at the same festival, with Rob awarded Best Actor.
A passionate live performer, Rob tours one-man storytelling shows that blend humour and heart, and regularly collaborates on stage productions including I Catch Killers Live. He is also a celebrated storyteller and podcast host, with Story Club, Five of My Life, Speakola and BraveWords Live attracting tens of thousands of listeners and attendees.
Alongside his creative work, Rob brings his insight and adaptability into the corporate world, where his work with organisations sharpens his understanding of leadership, culture, collaboration and how industries intersect. These experiences, combined with a lifelong commitment to performance and storytelling, make Rob a compelling speaker on creativity, resilience, communication and human connection.
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MC
Rob’s business acumen, in-depth preparation, collaborative approach and carefully considered ability to link presentations ensures a cohesive agenda delivering your key business messages. He’s skilled in smoothing over technical glitches, dynamic event logistics and observing political protocols, all with the utmost professionalism and gentle humour.
With a background in film and theatre, Rob is skilled in developing rapport with diverse audiences, reading the ebb and flow of the room, capturing the poignant moments and engaging people in a sense of occasion.
Provocateur / Facilitator
Rob’s wit and comprehensive understanding of both your organisation’s strategy and the industry issues allows him to quickly gain the trust of the audience. He’s then able to respectfully challenge and ask the questions that most people are reticent to ask.
He guides collaborative conversations amongst differing personalities in the room to address difficult topics. He expertly manages this process to bring the key concerns to the table in an interesting, dynamic and entertaining way.
Keynote Speaker
How do businesses become organisations of choice? How do you get the best out of your employees? Working with key stakeholders, Rob brings to life a tailored presentation that will unlock the imagination of the entire team.
Through meaningful and authentic stories Rob deftly delivers insights into different corporate cultures and larger than life characters while identifying the skills and behaviours that help create a culture of excellence and resilience.
Valuable Team Players
Dynamic Employees
The challenges an actor faces on set are very similar to those faced by employees. To embody a character an actor has spent hours researching, developing the nuances, and becoming the expert. But when they step on stage, they’re not the boss; they’re one part of a much bigger enterprise.
Similarly, employees are professionals who must work within a set organisational structure with a defined purpose. The challenge is to remain positive, change ready, collaborative and focused on a business goal that may have been decided by someone else.
Rob’s engaging style, insights and stories will inspire employees to stay engaged, share their passion, to be curious and demand excellence from those around them.
Small Business. Big Lessons.
Why an organisation’s culture matters
Leading through good times is the easy part. How do you maintain optimism and energy during times of hardship or periods of change?
Through real life stories, Rob illustrates the importance of organisational culture – a system of shared assumptions, values and beliefs that have a strong influence on how people feel and behave in organisations. Successful company cultures are typically characterised by a high level of teamwork and engagement.
Rob tells some never before heard stories about Kerry Packer and Alan Bond that are cautionary tales of leadership leading to pyrrhic victories and a life of loneliness. Uplifting and inspiring stories are those from his father who was a quieter champion of leadership through the Hawke/Keating years of economic reform and his internationally recognised contribution to humanitarian services.
People will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of the cultural heart of an organisation and a sense that the world has good people in it, even when the circumstances may seem grim.
The Film Production Model
Creative leadership
How do you unlock the imagination of every individual and keep the team focused on the main goal? Movies are a profound example of where creativity and brutal logistics collide. They are an excellent example of how a diverse group of people, facing impending deadlines can pull together towards one vision.
The Film Production model takes participants through what directors, crew and cast experience every day. Constantly adapting, learning and fine tuning their craft and their processes so they can meet deadlines and maintain their reputation as the best in the world.
Through fun and engaging exercises and a mix of stories drawn from his own experiences in film and TV, Rob focuses on the behaviour, character traits and skills of successful leaders and team players.
