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{{Short description|Aboriginal Australian actor and dancer (1953–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name             = David Gulpilil
| honorific_suffix = [[Member of the Order of Australia|AM]]
| image            = David Gulpilil.jpg
| caption          = Gulpilil in 2006
| birth_name       = Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1953|7|1|df=y}}
| birth_place      = [[Arnhem Land]], [[Northern Territory]], Australia
| death_date       = {{death date and age|2021|11|29|1953|7|1|df=y}}
| death_place      = [[Murray Bridge, South Australia|Murray Bridge]], South Australia, Australia
| awards           = [[Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]<br /> 2002 ''[[The Tracker (2002 film)|The Tracker]]''
| years_active     = 1971–2019
| spouse           = {{plainlist|
* Robyn Djunginy
* Airlie Thomas
* Miriam Ashley
}}
| children         = 7
}}

'''David Dhalatnghu Gulpilil'''  {{post-nominals |country=AUS|size=100%|AM}} (1 July 1953 – 29 November 2021) was an Australian actor and dancer. He was known for his roles in the films [[Walkabout (film)|''Walkabout'']] (1971), [[Storm Boy (1976 film)|''Storm Boy'']] (1976), ''[[The Last Wave]]'' (1977), ''[[Crocodile Dundee]]'' (1986), ''[[Rabbit-Proof Fence]]'' (2002), ''[[The Tracker (2002 film)|The Tracker]]'' (2002), and ''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]'' (2008).

An [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous Australian]] and [[Yolŋu|Yolŋu person]], he was raised in a traditional lifestyle in [[Arnhem Land]]. A skilled dancer, he was noticed by British filmmaker [[Nicolas Roeg]], who cast him in his first feature film role in ''Walkabout'' (1971). He also made several appearances on stage. 

Recognised as one of Australia's greatest actors and a trailblazer for Indigenous Australians in film, he was honoured with numerous awards and honours, including a lifetime achievement award at the 2019 [[NAIDOC Awards]]. After his death in November 2021, he was posthumously referred to as '''David Dalaithngu''' for a short period at his family's request. This was to conform to Indigenous practices that avoid [[Australian Aboriginal avoidance practices#Naming the dead|naming the dead]].

==Early life and education==
Gulpilil was probably born in 1953.<ref name="portrait2021">{{cite web | title=David Gulpilil, Arnhem Land, 1981 (printed 2000) | website=[[National Portrait Gallery (Australia)]] | date=7 July 2021 | url=http://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2001.75/david-gulpilil-arnhem-land/ | access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref> In the 2021 documentary about his life, ''My Name is Gulpilil'', he said that he did not know how old he was. Local missionaries recorded his birth on 1 July 1953, based on "guesswork".<ref name="mcguirk2021">{{cite news |last=McGuirk |first=Rod |date=30 November 2021 |title=Famed Australian Indigenous actor David Gulpilil dies at 68 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/famed-australian-indigenous-actor-david-gulpilil-dies-68-81445291 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] }}</ref> He was a man of the [[Mandjalpingu]] (Djilba) clan of the [[Yolngu]] people,<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Gulpilil, David; Reynolds, Molly (director) |date=2021 |title=My Name is Gulpilil |trans-title= |type=Television broadcast |language= |url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/my-name-is-gulpilil |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] }}</ref> who are an [[Aboriginal Australian|Aboriginal people]] of [[Arnhem Land]] in the [[Northern Territory]] of Australia.<ref name="Biography">{{cite web |url=http://www.gulpilil.com/biography.htm |title=Biography: Who is David Gulpilil? |work=gulpilil.com |year=2001 |access-date=22 April 2021}} Note: This site appears to have been [http://www.gulpilil.com/authorization.htm authorised by the subject].</ref>

As a young boy, Gulpilil was an accomplished hunter, [[Aboriginal tracker|tracker]], and [[Aboriginal ceremony|ceremonial dancer]]. Gulpilil spent his childhood in the bush, outside the range of non-Aboriginal influences.<ref name="Biography"/> He did not see a white man until he was 8 years old.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|title=David Gulpilil obituary|newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/david-gulpilil-obituary-5ttqqjnss|access-date=3 February 2022|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> He received a traditional upbringing in the care of his family, until the death of his parents. After that, he attended the school at [[Maningrida, Northern Territory|Maningrida]] in North East Arnhem Land,<ref name="Biography"/><ref name="naa"/> where he was assigned the English name "David".<ref name=nyt2021>{{cite web | title=David Gulpilil, Famed Aboriginal Actor, Dies at 68 | website=[[The New York Times]]| first=Neil |last=Genzlinger | date=29 November 2021 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/29/movies/david-gulpilil-dead.html | access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> When he came of age, Gulpilil was initiated into the Mandhalpuyngu tribal group. His [[skin group]] totemic animal was the [[kingfisher]] (the meaning of the name ''Gulpilil'')<ref name=buckmaster2021/> and his homeland was [[Marwuyu]].<ref name="Biography"/><ref name="naa">{{cite archive |first= |last= |item=David Gulpilil – engagements for acting |item-url=https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?irecordid=1044 |type=Textual record |item-id=F1, 1973/4846 |date=1969–1972 |collection=Northern Territory Administration |institution=National Archives of Australia }}</ref>

After appearing in his first film, ''[[Walkabout (film)|Walkabout]]'' (1971), Gulipilil became fluent in English. He added this to his ability to speak several [[Australian Aboriginal languages|Aboriginal languages]].<ref name="Biography"/>

==Career==
[[File:David Dalaithngu (Gulpilil) dancing.jpg|thumb|Gulpilil at dancing practice in [[Lajamanu]], July 1972]]

===Film and television===
In 1969, Gulpilil's skill [[#Dance|as a tribal dancer]] caught the attention of British filmmaker [[Nicolas Roeg]], who had come to [[Maningrida, Northern Territory|Maningrida]] scouting locations for a forthcoming film. Roeg promptly cast the 16-year-old unknown to play a principal role in his film ''[[Walkabout (film)|Walkabout]]'', released in 1971. It was internationally acclaimed, and Gulpilil's role was the first time that an Aboriginal character had been portrayed as sexually attractive.<ref name=":7" /> Gulpilil's on-screen charisma, combined with his acting and dancing skills, was such that he became an instant national and international celebrity. 

The young man travelled internationally, mingled with prominent people, and was presented to heads of state.<ref name="naa"/> During these travels to promote the film, he met and was impressed with [[John Lennon]], [[Bob Marley]], [[Bruce Lee]], [[Marlon Brando]], and [[Jimi Hendrix]].<ref name=nfsa>{{cite web| url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/latest/david-dalaithngu-portrait| publisher= [[National Film & Sound Archive]]| title=David Dalaithngu: A Portrait:The Life of a Screen legend| first=Liz| last= McNiven| date= 30 November 2021 |access-date= 30 November 2021}}</ref>{{efn-lr|Also related by Gulpilil in the film ''My Name Is Gulpilil''.}} He taught Bob Marley how to play the [[didgeridoo]], while Marley introduced him to "[[ganja]]".<ref name=":7" />

Gulpilil appeared in many more films and television productions. He played a lead role in the commercially successful and critically acclaimed ''[[Storm Boy (1976 film)|Storm Boy]]'' (1976). He "dominated" the film ''[[The Last Wave]]'' (1977) with his charismatic performance as Chris Lee, a conflicted urban tribal Aboriginal.<ref name="guide">{{cite book |last1=Pike |first1=Andrew |last2=Cooper |first2=Ross |date=1998 |title=Australian Film 1900–1977: A guide to feature film production |location=Melbourne |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-550784-3}}</ref>

A documentary about his life, ''Gulpilil: One Red Blood'', was aired on [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]] in 2003.  The title comes from a quote by Gulpilil: "We are all one blood. No matter where we are from, we are all one blood, the same".<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Gulpilil, David; Willesee, Mike |date=2002 |title=Gulpilil – One Red Blood: Sharing Culture and Country  |url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/gulpilil-one-red-blood-sharing-culture-and-country |access-date=30 November 2021 |publisher=[[National Film and Sound Archive]] }}</ref>

Gulpilil was a major creative influence throughout his life in both dance and film. He initiated and narrated the film ''[[Ten Canoes]]'', which won a Special Jury Prize at the 2006 [[Cannes Festival]]. The low-budget film, based on a 1,000-year-old traditional story of misplaced love and revenge, features non-professional Aboriginal actors speaking their local language. Gulpilil collaborated with the director, [[Rolf de Heer]], urging him to make the film. He ultimately withdrew from a central role in the project for "complex reasons."<ref name="tencanoes">{{cite web |url=http://www.tencanoes.com.au/tencanoes/pdf/Background.pdf |title=Ten Canoes Press Kit |date=2006 |website=Ten Canoes |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317122206/http://www.tencanoes.com.au/tencanoes/pdf/Background.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2018 }}</ref><ref name=bbc2021>{{cite web | last=Grbec | first=Monique | title=David Gulpilil: Profound legacy of a trailblazing Aboriginal actor | website=[[BBC News]] at the 2019 [[NAIDOC Awards]] | date=6 December 2021 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-59485830 | access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref> Gulpilil also provided the voice of the storyteller for the film. De Heer had directed Gulpilil in the earlier film, ''[[The Tracker (2002 film)|The Tracker]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=the_tracker |type=movie |title=The Tracker|access-date =12 April 2022 }}</ref>

In 2007, he starred in [[Richard Friar]]'s hour-long independent documentary, ''Think About It!'' This was focused on Indigenous rights and the [[anti-war movement]]. It included commentary from former Prime Minister [[Malcolm Fraser]], former [[Australian Greens|Greens]] leader [[Bob Brown]], and [[David Hicks]], then a detainee at the United States' [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]] on Cuba.<ref name="burrell2007">{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/joining-the-dots-along-the-chain-of-war-20070714-gdqm89.html |title=Joining the dots along the chain of war |first=Steve |last=Burrell |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=14 July 2007 |access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref>

In 2014, Gulpilil again collaborated with De Heer, this time sharing on screenwriting credits for ''[[Charlie's Country]]''. The film won several awards, including Best Actor in [[Un Certain Regard]] at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name=nyt2021/>

In 2015, Gulpilil appeared in the documentary ''[[Another Country (2015 film)|Another Country]]'', directed by [[Molly Reynolds (director)|Molly Reynolds]].<ref name=maddox202103/> In this film, Gulpilil narrates the story of his life, from when he was a child living on country; the arrival of the first white men ("ghosts"), in the form of missionaries; through [[Northern Territory National Emergency Response|The Intervention]], and the introduction of the [[BasicsCard]]. He often made serious criticisms hidden beneath his trademark humour.<ref name=bbc2021/>

Gulpilil worked again with Reynolds when she directed a documentary about his life, ''My Name Is Gulpilil'', which premiered at the 2021 [[Adelaide Festival]].<ref name="maddox202103">{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/i-m-just-trying-to-stay-alive-as-the-end-approaches-david-gulpilil-is-feted-one-more-time-20210310-p579gx.html |title='I'm just trying to stay alive': as the end approaches, David Gulpilil is feted one more time |last=Maddox |first=Garry |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref>

Gulpilil was renowned for portraying Aboriginal culture before it became threatened by the white civilisations. He became somewhat divorced from his own culture by his career in film. He felt that he was stretched somewhere between the two, with "one tiptoe in champage and caviar, and the other in the dirt of his Dreamtime".<ref name=":7" />

===Stage===

In March 2004, he performed in the autobiographical stage production, ''Gulpilil'' at the [[Adelaide Festival of Arts]], and received standing ovations.<ref name="adelaidefestival2004">{{Cite web|title=2004 |author=Adelaide Festival|url=https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/about/archive/2004/|access-date=29 November 2021|website=Adelaide Festival|language=en}}</ref><ref name="realtime2004">{{Cite web|date=31 March 2004|title=Adelaide Festival 2004: Gulpilil|url=https://www.realtime.org.au/adelaide-festival-2004-gulpilil/|access-date=29 November 2021|website=RealTime}}</ref> This work, co-written with [[Reg Cribb]], and directed by [[Neil Armfield]], was based on stories of his life assembled into a script. These included tales from the making of ''Walkabout'', performing at [[Buckingham Palace]], and inadvertently causing a bomb scare at [[Cannes]].<ref name="realtime2004" /> The show was later staged in Brisbane and Sydney.<ref name=ausstage>{{cite web | title=David Gulpilil | website=[[AusStage]] | url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/225474 | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>

He also performed on stage in ''The Cradle of Hercules'' at the [[Sydney Opera House]] in 1974; the Commonwealth Gala Performance in Brisbane in 1982 (in front of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip]];<ref>{{cite web | title=The Commonwealth Gala Performance | website=[[AusStage]] | url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/158464 | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>) and the [[Message Sticks Film Festival]] in Sydney in 2002.<ref name=ausstage/>

===Dance===
Perhaps the most renowned traditional dancer in Australia, Gulpilil organised troupes of dancers and musicians and performed at festivals throughout the country. He won the prestigious Darwin Australia Day [[Eisteddfod]] dance competition four times.<ref name="naa"/> 

In 1979, Gulpilil and another dancer, Dick Plummer, were accompanied by master didgeridu player [[David Blanasi]] and his musical partner, songman [[Djoli Laiwanga]], on a tour to Europe, stopping at [[Hawaii]] en route. There, they performed at an [[Australia Day]] function on the lawn of the Australian Consular Residence in [[Honolulu]] on  29 January 1979. Part of their performance was filmed by [[CSIRO]] scientist Gavin Gillman, and is in the collection of the [[National Film and Sound Archive of Australia]].<ref name=gulpilil1979>{{cite web | title=Rare footage of David Gulpilil dancing, 1979 |first= Beth |last=Taylor| website=[[National Film and Sound Archive of Australia]] | date=29 January 1978 | url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/99908-rare-footage-david-gulpilil-dancing-1979 | access-date=16 March 2025| format=video + text| others= Filmed by Gavin Gillman| author2= Gillman, Gavin}}</ref>

In November 1997, Gulipilil's [[dance troupe]] performed at the second National Aboriginal Dance Conference in [[Adelaide]] (hosted by the [[National Aboriginal Dance Council Australia]] (NADCA).<ref name=1999fund>{{cite web | title=Arts Sponsorship – Regional Arts Fund – August 1999 Round | website=PAWA | date=20 January 2000| url=http://www.pawa.com.au/news/20000120_arts_reg.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020320014108/http://www.pawa.com.au/news/20000120_arts_reg.shtml | archive-date=20 March 2002 | url-status=dead }}</ref>) The conference included discussions of [[Indigenous cultural and intellectual property|cultural and intellectual property rights]] and [[copyright in Australia|copyright issues for Australian Indigenous dancers]]. A free concert was given in [[Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka]].<ref>{{cite magazine | title= Deadly Dancing |page=8 |magazine=Tandanya Warra Yellakka, The Newsletter of the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute Inc | publisher=[[Tandanya]] | date=January 1998| url=http://www.tandanya.on.net/mag/page8.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010513112057/http://www.tandanya.on.net/mag/page8.htm | archive-date=13 May 2001 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The troupe was given a {{AUD|9,000}} grant from the [[Northern Territory Government]] to attend the third conference<ref name=1999fund/> in [[Sydney]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://ausdance.org.au/?ACT=73&file=1382 |format=PDF | publisher= [[Ausdance]]|magazine=Asia Pacific Channels: The Newsletter of the World Dance Alliance: Asia Pacific Center|title=3rd National Aboriginal Dance Conference, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, NSW, Thursday – Sunday, 18–21 November 1999| pages=6, 7|date =June 1999| issn =1328-2115| quote=...funded by the Dance Fund of the [[Australia Council]]}}</ref>
<!--
30 Nov 2021 editor's note: I'm just re-adding this bit in the comments, that I removed earlier because uncited and only existing in wiki-mirroring sites. This is to warn against re-adding unless a better source is found.
"At a conference in [[Adelaide]] in the summer of 2000, Gulpilil performed traditional dances and shared his story with hundreds of Indigenous young people. He continued to provide [[mentorship]] to them, while lending his support to social and political causes such as the pursuit of tribal land claims for Indigenous people. In the early 2000s he joined other Australian artists in calling for government recognition of, and compensation for, the suffering of the "[[Stolen Generation]]" – children of mixed European and Aboriginal parentage who were forcibly removed from their Indigenous families and placed in mission schools or with white adoptive parents far from their kin and homelands.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}"   end Nov 2021 editor's note -->

===Writing and painting===
In addition to his career in dance, music, film and television, Gulpilil was an acclaimed storyteller. He wrote the text for two volumes of children's stories based on Yolngu beliefs. These books also feature photographs and drawings by Australian artists, and convey Gulpilil's reverence for the landscape, people and traditional culture of his homeland.{{sfn|Gulpilil|1979}}{{sfn|Gulpilil|1983}}

''King brown snake with blue tongue lizard at Gulparil waterhole'', painted by Gulpilil in 2013–14, is in the [[Art Gallery of South Australia]]'s collection.<ref name=kingbrown>{{cite web | title=King brown snake with blue tongue lizard at Gulparil waterhole | website=[[Art Gallery of South Australia]]| url=https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/collection-publications/collection/works/king-brown-snake-with-blue-tonuge-lizard-at-gulparil-waterhole/65562/ | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>

==Recognition and awards==
Gulpilil was appointed a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM) in 1987,<ref>{{cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=870090 |date=8 June 1987 |recipient=Gulpilil, David |award=Member of the Order of Australia |postnominal=AM |access-date=30 November 2021 }}</ref> and the [[Centenary Medal]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1127208 |date=1 January 2001 |recipient=Gulpilil, David Gulparil |award=Centenary Medal |access-date=30 November 2021 }}</ref>

He twice received the [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|AACTA/AFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]], for ''The Tracker'' in 2002 and ''Charlie's Country'' in 2014.  He was also nominated for this award in 1977 for ''Storm Boy''.  Gulpilil was nominated for the [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|AFI Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role]] for ''Rabbit-Proof Fence'' in 2002. In 2003, he was awarded the inaugural [[Don Dunstan Award]] at the [[2003 Adelaide Film Festival|Adelaide Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/don-dunstan-award-recipient-announced/ |title=Don Dunstan Award Recipient Announced |date=30 August 2013 |website=Adelaide Film Festival |access-date=30 November 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

He was nominated for the [[Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Play]] in 2004 for the stage production ''Gulpilil''.<ref name="Helpmann">{{cite web |title=Past nominees and winners |website=Helpmann Awards |url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2004/past-nominees-and-winners/theatre |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> A portrait of Gulpilil by [[Craig Ruddy]] won the 2004 [[Archibald Prize]], Australia's best-known art prize.<ref name="Archibald Prize">{{cite web |title=Archibald Prize Archibald 2004 finalist: David Gulpilil, two worlds by Craig Ruddy |url=https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2004/27945/ |website=Art Gallery of NSW |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2013 Gulpilil was the recipient of the [[Red Ochre Award]], which is awarded annually by the [[Australia Council for the Arts]] to an outstanding Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander) artist for lifetime achievement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/first-nations-arts-awards/ |title=First Nations Arts Awards |website=Australia Council for the Arts |access-date=1 December 2021 }}</ref>

In May 2014, Gulpilil won a Best Actor award at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] for his performance in Rolf de Heer's film ''[[Charlie's Country]]''. The award was in the [[Un Certain Regard]] section, a part of the festival that emphasises original, individual points of view and innovative film-making.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/australian-actor-david-gulpilil-wins-best-actor-award-at-cannes-film-festival-20140524-zrmxa.html |title=Australian actor David Gulpilil wins best actor award at Cannes Film Festival |last1=Bunbury |first1=Stephanie |date=24 May 2014 |website=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/74-editions/retrospective/2014/actualites/articles/un-certain-regard-2014-awards |title=Un Certain Regard 2014 Awards |access-date=30 November 2021 |language=en |website=Festival de Cannes |date=23 May 2014 }}</ref>

In 2019, Gulpilil was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the 2019 [[NAIDOC Awards]],<ref name="dunlop2019"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/renowned-actor-david-gulpilil-receives-top-national-naidoc-award-20190706-p524s8.html |title=Renowned actor David Gulpilil receives top national NAIDOC award |last=Muller| first=Sarah |date=6 July 2019 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en |access-date=6 July 2019 }}</ref><ref name=verass2019/> and the Premier's Award for Lifetime Achievement in the [[South Australian Ruby Awards]].<ref name="ruby2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/arts-and-culture/awards-and-events/ruby-awards|title=2019 Ruby Awards winners |date=2 December 2019|website=[[Department of the Premier and Cabinet (South Australia)]]|language=en-AU|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

In June 2021, [[Ngarrindjeri]]-[[Arrernte people|Arrernte]] artist Thomas Readett created a huge permanent [[mural]] on the eastern wall of the [[Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute]] in Adelaide. Featuring hand-painted black-and-white images representing Gulpilil's early career and later life, the mural was commissioned by ABCG Film, in partnership with Tandanya, [[Arts South Australia]], [[Department of the Premier and Cabinet (South Australia)|Department of the Premier and Cabinet]] and [[Screen Australia]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Screen Legend David Gulpilil is the subject of a new mural in Adelaide | website=Broadsheet|date = 11 June 2021| first= Emma|last= Joyce | url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/adelaide/art-and-design/article/screen-legend-david-gulpilil-subject-new-mural-adelaide | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|N1jN6mp-o5U|David Gulpilil Mural}} 11 June 2021</ref>

During the [[Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival]] at [[Winton, Queensland]] in June 2021, Gulpilil was honoured with a star on [[The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival#Winton's Walk of Fame|Winton's Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Booth|first=Kristen|date=30 June 2021|title=David Gulpilil has been given a star on Winton's Walk of Fame|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/central-queensland/david-gulpilil-has-been-given-a-star-on-wintons-walk-of-fame/news-story/8fdfc53b04a7896b423f64ceab8eb07b |url-access=subscription|work=[[Central Queensland News]]|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|location= |access-date=2 July 2021}}</ref>

In August 2021, Tandanya mounted an exhibition entitled ''Djungi Gulpilil'' (Gulpilil family), featuring the work of many artists in his family, including his twin sister, one of his wives and his brother, as well as his own paintings. The exhibition was expressly created to honour and celebrate his life, and to bring him comfort as he is being treated a long way from home, yearning for "culture, language and kin".<ref name=glamad2021>{{cite web | title=New David Gulpilil exhibition debuts at Tandanya  | website=Glam Adelaide | date=9 August 2021 | url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/new-david-gulpilil-exhibition-debuts-at-tandanya/|first=Zara|last=Richards | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=fbtandanya>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/Tandanya.com.au/posts/4344295295620948 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/155133834537136/4344295295620948 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited| publisher=[[Tandanya]]| via = Facebook| title=Djungi Gulpilil (Gulpilil family) August 7 – September 18| date= 6 August 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

At the [[11th AACTA Awards]], to be held on 8 December 2021, Gulpilil will be officially awarded the [[Longford Lyell Award]] for his contribution to the [[Australian cinema|Australian film industry]]; he had informally received the award at his home a month earlier. His face will be projected onto the Sydney Opera House in the evening of the award ceremony.<ref name=revertname/>

== Later life and death ==
Gulpilil was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2017,<ref name=nyt2021/><ref name="maddox202111"/> and retired from acting in 2019. His illness prevented him from attending the 2019 [[NAIDOC Awards]], where he was recognised with the lifetime achievement award.<ref name="kwan2019">{{cite news |last1=Kwan |first1=Biwa |title=Fans pay tribute to legendary actor David Gulpilil after he wins top NAIDOC award |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/fans-pay-tribute-to-legendary-actor-david-gulpilil-after-he-wins-top-naidoc-award |work=SBS News |publisher=Special Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=verass2019>{{cite web | last1=Verass | first1=Sophie | last2=Nimmo | first2=Julie | title=NAIDOC 2019: David Gulpilil wins the Lifetime Achievement Award | website=NITV | date=5 July 2019 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2019/07/05/naidoc-2019-david-gulpilil-wins-lifetime-achievement-award | access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>

Gulpilil died at his home in [[Murray Bridge, South Australia]], on 29 November 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Legendary SA actor, artist David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu dies |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/david-gulpilil-ridjimiraril-dalaithngu-dies/news-story/6bcc53a9b57ed3ed4955ebc43a3d8c38 |date=29 November 2021 |work=The Advertiser |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=David Dalaithngu, a titanic force in Australian cinema, dies after lung cancer diagnosis | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=29 November 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/29/david-gulpilil-a-titanic-force-in-australian-cinema-dies-after-battle-with-lung-cancer | access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> Following his death, his family requested that he be referred to as David Dalaithngu<ref name="maddox202111">{{Cite news|last=Maddox|first=Garry|date=29 November 2021|title=David Dalaithngu was a mesmerising movie presence|url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/david-gulpilil-was-a-mesmerising-movie-presence-20210325-p57dwd.html|access-date=29 November 2021|work=[[The Age]]|language=en}}</ref> for a period of time to avoid [[Australian Aboriginal avoidance practices#Naming the dead|naming the dead]], and many news articles about his death refrained from using the actor's professional name, while warning that the articles contained his name and image.<ref name=buckmaster2021>{{cite web | last=Buckmaster | first=Luke | title=Vale David Dalaithngu: the inimitable actor who changed the movies, and changed us | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=30 November 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/30/vale-david-dalaithngu-the-inimitable-actor-who-changed-the-movies-and-changed-us | access-date=1 December 2021| quote=...his name – which his family have requested not be used for the time being... }}</ref><ref name=ABC2021>{{cite web | last=Davey | first=Caitlyn | title=Pioneering Indigenous actor, dancer, singer, artist David Dalaithngu dies aged 68 | website=ABC News | date=29 November 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-29/david-dalaithngu-dies-aged-68/100660282 | access-date=1 December 2021| quote=Dalaithngu was better known by a different surname at the height of his stardom, but the ABC has been advised that for Indigenous cultural reasons that name can't be used.}}</ref><ref name="maddox202111"/>

Tributes were published in Australia by political leaders, including Minister for Indigenous Australians [[Ken Wyatt]], federal opposition leader [[Anthony Albanese]], and South Australian premier [[Steven Marshall]]; actors, including [[Hugh Jackman]]; film critics; and community elders and relatives, including [[Witiyana Marika]].<ref name=abctributes>{{cite web | title=Tributes pour in from across the world for Northern Territory actor David Dalaithngu  | website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=1 December 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-01/david-dalaithngu-tributes-witiyana-marika-ramingining/100662168 | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> Overseas news outlets also published lengthy tributes and obituaries.<ref name=bbc2021/><ref name=nyt2021/><ref name=washpost2021/><ref>{{cite web | title=Veteran Australian actor David Gulpilil dies of lung cancer at 68 | website=India Today | date=30 November 2021 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/hollywood/story/veteran-australian-actor-david-gulpilil-dies-of-lung-cancer-at-68-1882393-2021-11-30 | access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>

On 2 December 2021, a statement was posted by [[Tandanya]] on Facebook on behalf of the Yolngu community and Gulpilil's kin:<ref>{{cite web | title= Statement regarding the late Yolŋu actor, dancer, painter, David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu| date= 2 December 2021| publisher= [[Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute]]| website=Facebook | url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F155133834537136%2Fposts%2F4711498258900648%2F | access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>{{blockquote|David was an inimitable talent who ‘walked between two worlds’, that of his Country and Culture, and that of the film world, placing him in a unique position regarding posthumous naming cultural practice.

David wanted people to know his name, remember his work, and know his immense legacy to Australian cinema and Australian culture. He was rightfully proud. He wanted his storytelling through film to be shared, to be on the record for the generations to come.

As were his wishes, the Community now give permission for all of his names to be used. He may be referred to as:
* David Gulpilil
* David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu
* David Gulpilil AM
* David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu AM

The permission remains to use his image in films and photographs.}}
The announcement was also reported in newspapers.<ref name=revertname>{{cite web | last=Maddox | first=Garry | title=David Gulpilil to receive film's highest honour as his face lights up Opera House | website=[[The Age]] | date=3 December 2021 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/david-gulpilil-to-receive-film-s-highest-honour-as-his-face-lights-up-opera-house-20211201-p59dpe.html | access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life and family==
Gulpilil suffered from alcoholism, having been introduced to [[grog]] during filming of ''Walkabout''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Garrick|first=Matt|date=29 November 2021|title=Trailblazing and internationally acclaimed, David Dalaithngu walked tall in two cultures|language=en-AU|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-30/aboriginal-actor-yolngu-david-dalaithngu-crocodile-dundee-dies/8468524|access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> In later life, it led to several clashes with the law.<ref name="maddox202111"/> In 2006, Gulpilil was charged with carrying an offensive weapon after an altercation at the house of a friend in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], when Gulpilil had allegedly armed himself with a [[machete]] after he and his wife had been asked to leave the home by the homeowners, who had allegedly armed themselves with a [[totem pole]] and a [[Hoe (tool)|garden hoe]].<ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2007 |title=Gulpilil had right to carry machete, court told |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-01-08/gulpilil-had-right-to-carry-machete-court-told/2168308 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)]] |agency= |location= |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=9 January 2007 |title=I grabbed machete in fear: Gulpilil |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/i-grabbed-machete-in-fear/2007/01/08/1168104923423.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> However, he was found not guilty after the judge accepted that the machete was used for cultural purposes, including carving [[didgeridoo]]s, and had not been intended for use as a weapon.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 January 2007 |title=Gulpilil machete accepted to be for 'cultural use' |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21037973-2,00.html |url-status=dead |work=[[News.com.au]] |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211064954/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21037973-2,00.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 |access-date=1 April 2007 }}</ref>

On 30 March 2007, a Darwin magistrate imposed a 12-month [[domestic violence]] order on Gulpilil over an incident which had involved his wife, Miriam Ashley, on 28 December 2006; Gulpilil was ordered to stay away from her while drinking.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 March 2007 |title=Domestic violence order on Gulpilil |url=https://www.theage.com.au/news/national/domestic-violence-order-on-gulpilil/2007/03/30/1174761728072.html |work=[[The Age]]}}</ref> In December 2010, Gulpilil was charged with [[aggravated assault]] against Ashley, with the court hearing that he had thrown a broom at her, fracturing her arm. In September 2011, he was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months<ref>{{cite news |date=22 September 2011 |title=Gulpilil jailed for breaking wife's arm |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-22/gulpilil-sentenced-to-12-months-jail/2911604 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> in [[Berrimah Prison]] in Darwin.<ref name="maddox202111"/> After this stint in prison, he finally got [[Sobriety|sober]].<ref name=":7" />

Gulpilil's other wives or partners included Airlie Thomas and Robyn Djunginy.<ref name="maddox202111"/> Two of his daughters are Phoebe Marson and Makia McLaughlin.<ref name="dunlop2019">{{cite news |last1=Dunlop |first1=Greg |date=9 July 2019 |title='Never forget me': NAIDOC gives David Gulpilil lifetime achievement award |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2019/07/06/naidoc-indigenous-actor-david-gulpilil |work=[[NITV]] |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=verass2019/> Seven children survived him: Jida (a musician and actor),<ref>{{cite web | title=Jida Gulpilil | website=[[AusStage]]| url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/254889 | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> Milan, Makia, Andrew, Jamie, Phoebe and Malakai.<ref name="maddox202111"/> [[Witiyana Marika]], Yolngu [[Aboriginal elder|elder]], musician and band member of [[Yothu Yindi]], is his son [[Yolngu#Yolŋu culture, law and mythology|by lore]].<ref name=abctributes/><ref name=garrick2021>{{cite web | last=Garrick | first=Matt | title=Sydney Opera House illuminates life and career of late NT actor David Gulpilil  | website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=7 December 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-07/david-gulpilil-sydney-opera-house-aacta-tribute/100680796 | access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>

Several members of his family are artists, including his twin sister (''yapa''), [[Mary Dhalapany]], a leading [[weaving|weaver]]; his brother, Peter Minygululu, known for his story-telling and detailed artworks; and former wife Robyn Djunginy, who was known for her bottle paintings.<ref name=fbtandanya/><ref name=glamad2021/><ref>{{cite web | title=Robyn Djunginy | website=IDAIA| url=http://www.idaia.com.au/en/artists/robyn-djunginy/ | access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> His nephew (''waku''), Bobby Bununggurr, is a singer, dancer, [[Yolngu#Law|law man]] and [[reconciliation in Australia|reconciliation]] advocate. During the 1970s and 1980s, the two men travelled widely together, performing, dancing, and singing.<ref name=glamad2021/>

==Filmography==
=== Film ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Notes
!Ref.
|-
|1964
|''In Song and Dance''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1971
|''[[Walkabout (film)|Walkabout]]''
|Black boy
| credited as David Gumpilil
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=David Gulpilil|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba0ec2ebe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608003655/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba0ec2ebe|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2016|access-date=30 November 2021|website=[[British Film Institute]]|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1973
|''No Bag Limit''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1974
|''The Morning Star Painter''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1975
|''The Rainbow Serpent''
|
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="4" |1976
|''[[Mad Dog Morgan]]''
|Billy
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''[[Storm Boy (1976 film)|Storm Boy]]''
|Fingerbone Bill
|Nominated—[[AACTA Awards|AACTA Award]] for [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=1977 AACTA Awards: Winners & Nominees|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927104000/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/range/1970-1979/year/1977/|archive-date=27 September 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=www.aacta.org|language=en-AU}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''To Shoot a Mad Dog''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Felix''
|
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1977
|''[[The Last Wave]]''
|Chris Lee
|credited as Gulpilil
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |1978
|''The Magic Arts''
|
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Little Boy Lost''
|
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Three Dances by Gulpilil''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |1980
|''The Painter: Wunuwun in Sydney''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Billy West''
|
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1981
|''Great Barrier Reef''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1983
|''[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]''
|Aborigine
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|1984
|''The Hunting Party''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1985
|''Rainbow Serpent: A Changing Culture''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Crocodile Dundee]]''
| Neville Bell
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|1987
|''[[Dark Age (film)|Dark Age]]''
|Adjaral
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Buckmaster|first=Luke|date=9 August 2015|title=Dark Age rewatched: John Jarratt in a creature feature 'so crazy it worked'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/09/dark-age-rewatched-john-jarrett-in-a-creature-feature-so-crazy-it-worked|access-date=30 November 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1991
|''[[Until the End of the World]]''
|David
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|1996
|''[[Dead Heart]]''
|Second Man in Desert
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dead Heart|url=https://newtownfilms.com.au/project/dead-heart/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415083519/https://newtownfilms.com.au/project/dead-heart/|archive-date=15 April 2021|access-date=30 November 2021|website=newtownfilms.com.au}}</ref>
|-
|2001
|''Serenades''
|Rainman
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=2002|title=Serenades|url=https://www.buninyong.vic.au/filmfestival/archives/2002/serenade.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402011111/https://buninyong.vic.au/filmfestival/archives/2002/serenade.htm|archive-date=2 April 2020|access-date=30 November 2021|website=Buninyong Film Festival}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" |2002
|''[[The Tracker (2002 film)|The Tracker]]''
|The Tracker
|[[AACTA Awards|AACTA Award]] for [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=2002 AACTA Awards: Winners & Nominees|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201100628/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/range/2000-2010/year/2002/|archive-date=1 December 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=www.aacta.org|language=en-AU}}</ref><br />[[Film Critics Circle of Australia|FCCA Award]] for Best Actor<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 January 2014|title=Award Archive|url=http://fcca.com.au/award-archive/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114030413/http://fcca.com.au/award-archive/|archive-date=14 January 2014|access-date=1 December 2021|website=Film Critics Circle of Australia}}</ref><br />[[Inside Film Award]] for Best Actor<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 November 2002|title=The Tracker best feature in IF awards|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-tracker-best-feature-in-if-awards-20021108-gdurkf.html|access-date=1 December 2021|website=The Age|language=en}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''[[Rabbit-Proof Fence]]''
|Moodoo
|Nominated—[[AACTA Awards|AACTA Award]] for [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actor]]<ref name=":3" />
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''Gulpilil: One Red Blood''
|Himself
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Mimi''
|
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence''
|
|documentary
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2005
|''[[The Proposition (2005 film)|The Proposition]]''
|Jacko
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
|''[[Ten Canoes]]''
|The Storyteller
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''Crocodile Dreaming''
|Burrimmilla
|short film
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2008
|''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]''
|King George
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2013
|''[[Satellite Boy]]''
|Jagamarra
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2014
|''[[Charlie's Country]]''
|Charlie
|[[AACTA Awards|AACTA Award]] for [[AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=4th AACTA Awards: Winners & Nominees|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201100428/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/4th-aacta-awards/|archive-date=1 December 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=www.aacta.org|language=en-AU}}</ref><br />[[Australian Film Critics Association|AFCA Award]] for Best Actor<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=AFCA 2015 Film & Writing Awards|url=http://www.auscritic.com/afca-2015-film--writing-awards.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019201637/http://www.auscritic.com/afca-2015-film--writing-awards.html|archive-date=19 October 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=Australian Film Critics Association|language=en}}</ref><br />AFCA Award for Best Screenplay<ref name=":5" /><br />[[Cannes Film Festival]] [[Un Certain Regard]] for Best Actor<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Fiona|date=24 May 2014|title=2014 Cannes Film Festival: David Gulpilil wins best actor in Un Certain Regard|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/fragment/2014-cannes-film-festival-david-gulpilil-wins-best-actor-un-certain-regard|access-date=1 December 2021|website=SBS Movies|language=en|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201115602/https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/fragment/2014-cannes-film-festival-david-gulpilil-wins-best-actor-un-certain-regard|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />Nominated—[[AACTA Awards|AACTA Award]] for [[AACTA Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] <small>(with [[Rolf de Heer]])<ref name=":4" /></small><br />Nominated—[[Asia Pacific Screen Awards|Asia Pacific Screen Award]] for Best Actor<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Gulpilil in Charlie's Country|url=https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/apsa-nominees-winners/2014/best-actor/david-gulpilil-charlies-country|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827160307/https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/apsa-nominees-winners/2014/best-actor/david-gulpilil-charlies-country|archive-date=27 August 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=Asia Pacific Screen Awards|language=en-US}}</ref><br />Nominated—[[Film Critics Circle of Australia|FCCA Award]] for Best Actor<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Belvedere|first=Lynn|date=12 March 2015|title=FCCA 2014 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards {{!}} Sydney Arts Guide|url=https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/fcca-2014-film-critics-circle-of-australia-awards/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201115336/https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/fcca-2014-film-critics-circle-of-australia-awards/|archive-date=1 December 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|website=Sydney Arts Guide|language=en-AU}}</ref><br />Nominated—FCCA Award for Best Screenplay<ref name=":6" />
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|rowspan=2|2016
|''[[Goldstone (film)|Goldstone]]''
|Jimmy
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''Crazy Days at the Old Brumby Moon''
|Old Mick
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=McLennan|first=Chris|date=20 October 2016|title=Crazy days film features local actors|url=https://www.katherinetimes.com.au/story/4239832/crazy-days-film-features-local-actors/|access-date=30 November 2021|website=Katherine Times|language=en-AU}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|''[[Cargo (2017 film)|Cargo]]''
|Daku
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mattes|first=Ari|title=The Australian zombie horror Cargo is burdened by its own gravitas|url=http://theconversation.com/the-australian-zombie-horror-cargo-is-burdened-by-its-own-gravitas-96786|access-date=30 November 2021|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|date=18 May 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|''[[Storm Boy (2019 film)|Storm Boy]]''
|Father of Fingerbone Bill
|
|<ref name=washpost2021>{{Cite news|title=David Gulpilil, Australian Indigenous star of 'Walkabout,' dies|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2021/11/29/david-gulpilil-australia-dead/|access-date=30 November 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|''[[My Name is Gulpilil (2021 film)|My Name is Gulpilil]]''
|Himself
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Godfrey|first=Nicholas|title=My Name is Gulpilil: a candid, gentle portrait of one of Australia's best actors| url=http://theconversation.com/my-name-is-gulpilil-a-candid-gentle-portrait-of-one-of-australias-best-actors-160542|access-date=30 November 2021|website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|date=26 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

=== Television ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
!
! Notes
|-
|1972
|''[[Boney (TV series)|Boney]]''
|Black Boy / Balinga / Dancer / Tonto / David Ooldea
|5 episodes
| <ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=David Gulpilil screenography|url=https://aso.gov.au/people/David_Gulpilil/screenography/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211234525/https://aso.gov.au/people/David_Gulpilil/screenography/|archive-date=11 December 2021|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Australian Screen: an NSFA website}}</ref>
|-
|1973
|''Spinifex Breed''
|
|episode: "Pilot"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1974
|''[[Homicide (Australian TV series)|Homicide]]''
|Gary Willis
|episode: "Slow Fuse"
| <ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |1976
|''[[Rush (1970s TV series)|Rush]]''
|Satchel
|episode: "The Kadaitcha Man"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''[[Luke's Kingdom]]''
|Aborigine Boy
|episode: "The Dam and the Damned"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Taggart's Treasure''
|
|telemovie
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1977
|''[[The Outsiders (Australian TV series)|The Outsiders]]''
|Billy Potter
|episode: "Sophie's Mob"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |1979
|''[[Skyways (TV series)|Skyways]]''
|Koiranah
|episode: "Koiranah"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''The Dreamtime''
|Narrator
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''[[This Is Your Life (Australian TV series)|This is Your Life]]''
|Himself
|1 episode
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |1980
|''[[The Timeless Land]]''
|Bennelong
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''[[Young Ramsay]]''
|Aborigine
|episode: "Dreamtime"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|1989
|''[[Naked Under Capricorn]]''
|Activity
|
| <ref name=":2" />
|-
|1995
|''[[The Man from Snowy River (TV series)|The Man from Snowy River]]''
|Manulpuy
|episode: "The Savage Land"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |2000
|''[[BeastMaster (TV series)|BeastMaster]]''
|Shaman
|episode: "Valhalla"
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|''Der Paradiesvogel (The Bird of Paradise)''
|
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2017
|''[[The Leftovers (TV series)|The Leftovers]]''
|Christopher Sunday
|2 episodes
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kachka|first=Boris|title=Scott Glenn on His Bonkers Episode of The Leftovers|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/04/the-leftovers-scott-glenn-on-his-bonkers-episode.html|access-date=1 December 2021|website=Vulture|date=30 April 2017 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 May 2017|title=How The Leftovers Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-leftovers/the-leftovers-review-the-most-powerful-man-in-the/|access-date=1 December 2021|website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Books ==
* {{cite book |author=Gulpilil |date=1979 |title=Gulpilil's stories of the dreamtime |others=Compiled by Hugh Rule and Stuart Goodman; illustrated by Allan Hondow; photography by Stuart Goodman |location=Sydney |publisher=Collins |isbn=978-0-00-184383-7}}
* {{cite book |author=Gulpilil |date=1983 |title=The Birirrk, our ancestors of the dreaming |others=Photographs by Neil McLeod |location=Cheltenham, Australia |publisher=L & S Publishing |isbn= 978-0-86898-061-4 }}

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist-lr}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
* {{IMDb name|name=David Gulpilil}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{discogs artist}}

{{AACTA Award Best Actor in a Leading Role 2000–2019}}
{{Longford Lyell Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gulpilil, David}}
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[[Category:Deaths from cancer in South Australia]]
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[[Category:Indigenous Australian dancers]]
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[[Category:Members of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:People from the Northern Territory]]
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