Seinfeld star reveals how he ended up starring in Australian cult classic comedy The Dish
He is the handsome American who played a memorable supporting role in the hit television series Seinfield.
But fans Down Under fell in love with actor Patrick Warburton all over again when he appeared as a NASA scientist in the Australian blockbuster The Dish.
And now the 59-year-old Hollywood veteran has revealed that it was his role as the slightly deranged mechanic David Puddy in Seinfeld that landed him a supporting role in the Australian classic alongside Sam Neill.
Speak with TV Tonight On Saturday, Warburton said that The Dish director Rob Sitch is a Seinfeld fan.
“I said, “Rob, I think you only know me from Seinfeld at this point?” He said, “Yeah.”
‘I’m Al Burnett, the NASA scientist, the least funny character in this movie [The Dish]”What makes you think I can do it?”
He said, “I think so.”
Warburton, who later gained cult status for his voice for the character Joe in the hit animated series Family Guy, was very enthusiastic about his experiences filming the classic film Down Under.
Seinfeld star Patrick Warburton (pictured) has revealed how he landed a major role in an Australian film classic
“I was so grateful because what an opportunity and what a pleasure,” he continued, adding that it was one of the best work experiences he had ever had.
During the conversation, Warburton also praised the Australians for their level-headedness.
“I’ve always noticed in my travels here that there’s a certain level of authenticity and realism in the Australian people,” he said.
“They’re not really that impressed with anything other than who you are. I’ve always loved the authenticity that I felt here when I was here doing The Dish.”
However, Warburton did confess that while filming The Dish in Australia, he partied with Sam Neill, Oscar-winning Australians Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Tom Cruise.
Warburton had made few film appearances before appearing in this Australian favourite and was best known as Elaine’s (Julie Louis-Dreyfus) boyfriend on Seinfeld when he landed the role.
The 59-year-old Hollywood veteran said he was cast against type as a NASA scientist in the 2000 BO hit because director Rob Sitch was a Seinfeld fan. Pictured: A scene from The Dish with co-star Patrick Warburton (center with Sam Neill), Tom Long (L) Kevin Harrington (R)
Warburton had only appeared in a few films before appearing in the Australian favourite and was still best known as Elaine’s (Julie Louis-Dreyfus) boyfriend in Seinfeld when he landed the role (both depicted in a scene from the hit TV comedy)
The Dish was filmed in Melbourne and Parkes in 1999.
Set in 1969, the story centers on a team of Australian and American scientists who were part of the Apollo 11 moon landing and worked at the Parkes Observatory in New South Wales.
In reality, it was the Parkes satellite dish that transmitted TV images of astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface.
The Dish was produced by Melbourne-based team Working Dog, best known as the makers of another Australian classic, The Castle. It was directed by Rob Sitch, who co-wrote the script with Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Jane Kennedy.
The Dish was released in October 2000 and was a huge success, grossing $18 million in Australia.
Warburton is currently Down Under to appear at the Metro Comic Con fan festival in Melbourne this weekend.