James Stewart

James Stewart (born 21 October 1975) is an Australian stage, television and film actor. He rose to prominence for his portrayal as Justin Morgan, in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He is also best known for his appearances in the television series Breakers, as Alex Markham (1998–1999), Packed to the Rafters, as Jake Barton (2009–2013). Early life Stewart was born on 21 October 1975 in Melbourne. He grew up on the Gold Coast, alongside his identical twin brother Nicholas and older half-sister Annie. His mother Beverly raised him and his three siblings as a single parent while studying to become a teacher. She eventually graduated with honours in English and literature at Monash University. His estranged father Arthur Koo is a former Australian soldier who served in the Vietnam War. Stewart has Scottish and Chinese ancestry through his parents. In 1996, Stewart joined the band george alongside his brother Nicholas, Tyrone Noonan and his then-housemate, Katie Noonan. He would later leave the band to pursue a career in acting full-time. Career In 2007, Stewart played Jim O'Connor in the Queensland Theatre Company's production of The Glass Menagerie. He won the 2008 Matilda Award for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for the Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play. In 2010, Stewart received a Logie award nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent for his role as Jake Barton in Packed to the Rafters.