# Grant Bowler

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New Zealand–Australian actor

For the baseball player, see [Grant Bowler (baseball)](/source/Grant_Bowler_(baseball)).

Grant Bowler Bowler at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival Born (1968-07-18) 18 July 1968 (age 57) Auckland, New Zealand Education National Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA) Occupations Actor, television presenter Years active 1993–present Spouse Roxane Wilson ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2011)​ Children 2

**Grant Bowler** (born 18 July 1968) is a New Zealand-Australian actor and television presenter who has worked in American, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian film, television, and theatre.

He is known for playing the role of [Constable Wayne Patterson](/source/Wayne_Patterson) in *[Blue Heelers](/source/Blue_Heelers)* and [Wolfgang West](/source/Wolfgang_West) in *[Outrageous Fortune](/source/Outrageous_Fortune_(TV_series))*. He also appeared as [Wilhelmina Slater](/source/Wilhelmina_Slater)'s [love interest](/source/Romantic_interest) Connor Owens in *[Ugly Betty](/source/Ugly_Betty)*.[1] He significantly starred as Joshua Nolan on the [Syfy](/source/Syfy) television series *[Defiance](/source/Defiance_(TV_series))*.[2]

As a presenter, he was best known for hosting [reality game shows](/source/Reality_television#Reality_competition_or_game_shows) – including *[The Mole Australia](/source/The_Mole_(Australian_TV_series))* and *[The Amazing Race Australia](/source/The_Amazing_Race_Australia)*, both of which aired on the [Seven Network](/source/Seven_Network).[3]

Bowler has been the voiceover narrator for *[Border Security: Australia](/source/Border_Security%3A_Australia's_Front_Line)* for the [Seven Network](/source/Seven_Network) since 2004. He has also provided the narration for the [Canadian version](/source/Border_Security%3A_Canada's_Front_Line) and the [American version](/source/Homeland_Security_USA) when those versions air in Australia and New Zealand as *Border Security: International* on [7two](/source/7two).

## Personal life

Bowler was born in [Auckland](/source/Auckland), New Zealand, but moved to Australia when he was young, and was raised in [Brisbane](/source/Brisbane).[4]

In 2011, he separated from his wife of nine years, Australian actress [Roxane Wilson](/source/Roxane_Wilson), with whom he has two children.[5]

## Career

Bowler is a graduate of the [National Institute of Dramatic Art](/source/National_Institute_of_Dramatic_Art). For two years, he worked extensively in theatre with the [Bell Shakespeare Company](/source/Bell_Shakespeare_Company) touring with the original company founded by [John Bell](/source/John_Bell_(Australian_actor)).[6]

His first television role was as [Constable](/source/Constable) [Wayne Patterson](/source/Wayne_Patterson) on *[Blue Heelers](/source/Blue_Heelers)*, from 1993 to 1996.[6] After leaving that show, he played Garth Stephens in *[Pacific Drive](/source/Pacific_Drive_(TV_series))* in 1996,[6] and he joined the main cast of *[Medivac](/source/Medivac_(TV_series))* as Dr Arch Craven, a role he played from 1996 to 1998.[7] He had recurring roles on *[Always Greener](/source/Always_Greener)* and *[Stingers](/source/Stingers_(TV_series))*, starred in the television adaptation of *[On the Beach](/source/On_the_Beach_(2000_film))*, spent a year on the [ABC](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) series *[Something in the Air](/source/Something_in_the_Air_(TV_series))*, and starred in the 2004 miniseries *Through My Eyes* about the [disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain](/source/Azaria_Chamberlain_disappearance). Bowler had a recurring role on *[All Saints](/source/All_Saints_(TV_series))* from 2004 to 2005.

Bowler hosted the Australian version of *[The Mole](/source/The_Mole_(Australian_TV_series))* from 2000 to 2003. He was replaced in the 2005 series by [Tom Williams](/source/Tom_Williams_(television)) because of family commitments and his duties with *[Border Security: Australia's Front Line](/source/Border_Security%3A_Australia's_Front_Line)*. He is the narrator of the latter show, having begun as on-camera host in 2004 and transitioning to the off-camera role after the first season.

Bowler appeared in the New Zealand series *[Outrageous Fortune](/source/Outrageous_Fortune_(TV_series))*[8] in the recurring role of [Wolfgang West](/source/Wolfgang_West). He was in greater demand since joining the program, but turned down other work to remain with the show.[9]

Bowler guest starred as Gault, the captain of a freighter on the American television series *[Lost](/source/Lost_(2004_TV_series))*, starting with the season four episode "[Ji Yeon](/source/Ji_Yeon_(Lost))".

In 2008, he began a recurring role on *[Ugly Betty](/source/Ugly_Betty)* as Connor Owens, corrupt CFO of Meade Publications and the love interest of the series' main villain. Bowler said of his character, "He's got a lot of evil secrets."[10] In December 2009, he was cast as [Cooter](/source/List_of_True_Blood_characters#Coot), a werewolf, in the [HBO](/source/HBO) [urban fantasy](/source/Urban_fantasy) series *[True Blood](/source/True_Blood)*, for that show's third season.[11]

In late 2010, he was announced as the host of [Seven Network](/source/Seven_Network)'s *[The Amazing Race Australia](/source/The_Amazing_Race_Australia)* and remained for three seasons. He did not return for the 2019 [Network 10](/source/Network_10) revival of the series, being replaced by [Beau Ryan](/source/Beau_Ryan).

He played [Hank Rearden](/source/Hank_Rearden) in *[Atlas Shrugged: Part I](/source/Atlas_Shrugged%3A_Part_I)* (2011), the first part of a planned three-part film adaptation of [Ayn Rand](/source/Ayn_Rand)'s [novel of the same name](/source/Atlas_Shrugged).[12] He was also seen in 2011 in *[The City of Gardens](/source/186_Dollars_to_Freedom)*, and the film *[Killer Elite](/source/Killer_Elite_(film))*.

In 2012, Bowler was cast as [Richard Burton](/source/Richard_Burton) opposite [Lindsay Lohan](/source/Lindsay_Lohan) as [Elizabeth Taylor](/source/Elizabeth_Taylor) in the biographical [TV-movie](/source/TV-movie) *[Liz & Dick](/source/Liz_%26_Dick)* for [Lifetime](/source/Lifetime_(TV_network)) in the US.[13]

He was seen in the war drama *Gallipoli*, released in 2015 on Channel 9, Australia. Bowler was also seen in the psychological action film *[Swelter](/source/Swelter_(film))*, alongside [Jean-Claude Van Damme](/source/Jean-Claude_Van_Damme) and [Alfred Molina](/source/Alfred_Molina); in the sci-fi thriller *[400 Days](/source/400_Days_(film))* with [Brandon Routh](/source/Brandon_Routh) and [Dane Cook](/source/Dane_Cook); *Lucky Dog* with [Amy Smart](/source/Amy_Smart); and the family movie, *Zooey to the Max*.

In 2020, Bowler appeared in a recurring role in *[The Baker and the Beauty](/source/The_Baker_and_the_Beauty_(American_TV_series))* playing the Australian father of lead character Noa Hamilton, played by [Nathalie Kelley](/source/Nathalie_Kelley).

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Notes 2003 Ned Town priest 2003 Calling Gerry Molloy Oliver Laird 2004 One of the Oldest Con Games Sam 2004 Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story Black Rat 2007 The Fall of Night Harry 2011 Killer Elite Warwick Cregg 2011 City of Gardens Jesus Christ 2011 Atlas Shrugged: Part I Hank Rearden 2011 Steve Niles's Remains Tom 2012 I Do Peter 2014 Swelter Cole 2014 Lucky Dog Preston Spencer 2015 400 Days Walter 2015 One & Two Daniel 2018 Painkillers Herb Morris 2019 The Car: Road to Revenge Rainer 2019 Guns Akimbo Degraves 2020 Bad Impulse Henry Sharpe

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1993–1996 Blue Heelers Wayne Patterson Main role (seasons 1–3) 1996 Pacific Drive Garth Stephens Episode: "#1.10" 1996–1998 Medivac Dr. Arch Craven Main role 1997 Halifax f.p: Someone You Know Bob Palance Episode 13 1998 Wildside Peter Simms Episode: "#1.27" 1999 Farscape Shaman Liko Episode: "That Old Black Magic" 1999 Close Contact Mike Heyns Television film 1999–2001 Stingers Sean Peck 3 episodes 2000–2003 The Mole Himself (host) 40 episodes 2000 On the Beach Lt. Peter Holmes Television film 2000 The Lost World Montague Fitzsimmonds Episode: "London Calling" 2001 Finding Hope Jack Television film 2001–2002 Something in the Air Mark Waters 26 episodes 2002 White Collar Blue Steve Petrovic Episode: "#1.9" 2002 Always Greener Greg Steele 11 episodes 2004 McLeod's Daughters Jarred Wuchowski Episode: "Fool for Love" 2004–2005 All Saints Nigel "Mac" MacPherson 20 episodes 2004–present Border Security: Australia's Front Line Narrator 105 episodes 2005–2009 Outrageous Fortune Wolfgang West Main role 2008 Lost Captain Gault 3 episodes 2008 Canal Road Detective Ray Driscoll 10 episodes 2008–2010 Ugly Betty Connor Owens 17 episodes 2010 True Blood Cooter 7 episodes 2011 Panic at Rock Island Jim Quinn Television film 2011 The Cape Razer Episode: "Razer" 2011–2012 2014 The Amazing Race Australia Himself (host) 34 episodes 2012 The Great Mint Swindle Ray Mickelberg Television film 2012 GCB Mason Massey 2 episodes 2012 Liz & Dick Richard Burton Television film 2013–2015 Defiance Joshua Nolan 38 episodes 2015 Gallipoli Lieutenant Colonel William Malone 7 episodes 2015 Getting On Dr. Ron Rudd 8 episodes 2016 Still Star-Crossed Damiano Montague Main role 2016 J.L. Family Ranch Sheriff Henry Whitlock Television film 2019 Harrow Francis Chester 10 episodes 2019 Reef Break Carter Eastland 6 episodes 2022 Super Volcano Eric TV Movie 2022 20.0 Megaquake Eric TV Movie 2023 Ice Storm Eric TV Movie

### Video games

Year Title Role Notes 2013 Defiance Chief Lawkeeper Jeb Nolan Voice

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Shattuck, Kathryn (4 December 2009). ["What's On Today > 9 p.m. (ABC) *Ugly Betty*"](https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9900E3D9113DF937A35751C1A96F9C8B63.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 25 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["'Defiance' Star Grant Bowler Reveals His Gaming Habits"](http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2013/03/20/defiance-star-grant-bowler-reveals-his-gaming-habits/). Comcast TV Blog. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Coster, Alice (11 May 2011). ["Grant Bowler hosts Channel 7 and Active TV's The Amazing Race Australia"](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv-radio/grant-bowler-hosts-channel-7-and-active-tvs-the-amazing-race-australia/story-e6frf9ho-1226054137089). *[Herald Sun](/source/Herald_Sun)*. Retrieved 25 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ov-bio_4-0)** ["Grant Bowler Video: Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101324/http://www.ovguide.com/grant-bowler-9202a8c04000641f8000000000752576). OV Guide. Archived from [the original](http://www.ovguide.com/grant-bowler-9202a8c04000641f8000000000752576) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Amazing Race's Grant Bowler splits with wife"](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/amazing-races-grant-bowler-splits-with-wife/story-e6frf96o-1226030345078). *[Herald Sun](/source/Herald_Sun)*. Melbourne, Australia. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CopsForSoaps_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CopsForSoaps_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CopsForSoaps_6-2) ["Swapping cops for soaps"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A101212645/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=5e1419b0). *[The Mercury](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. 22 May 1996. Retrieved 19 March 2026 – via [Gale](/source/Gale_(publisher)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Fidgeon, Robert (2 October 1996). ["Deep and meaningful"](https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A105323827/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=997aa6ee). *[Herald Sun](/source/Herald_Sun)*. Retrieved 19 March 2026 – via [Gale](/source/Gale_(publisher)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["More New Blood – Both Vamp & Lycan Added to True Blood"](http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34791/more-new-blood-both-vamp-lycan-added-true-blood). Dreadcentral.com. Retrieved 14 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Wolf at the door"](http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/film/9773/wolf-door). [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). 17 June 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["SPOILER ALERT: The Ugly Betty Cast Dishes on Season 3"](https://people.com/tv/spoiler-alert-the-ugly-betty-cast-dishes-on-season-3/). People. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Final True Blood Season 3 Promo Poster Revealed"](http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37967/final-true-blood-season-3-promo-poster-revealed). Dreadcentral.com. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Chocano, Carina (29 April 2011). ["Atlas Shrugged Part One (2011) : A Utopian Society Made Up of Business Moguls in Fedoras"](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/movies/atlas-shrugged-part-i-ayn-rands-opus-review.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 4 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Grant Bowler to play Richard Burton opposite Lindsay Lohan's Liz Taylor"](http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/05/grant-bowler-to-play-richard-burton-opposite-lindsay-lohans-liz-taylor.html). Tvtonight.com.au. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2014.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Grant Bowler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Grant_Bowler).

- [Grant Bowler](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0101198/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Outrageous Fortune Official site](https://web.archive.org/web/20060112052106/http://www.outrageousfortune.co.nz/)

- [Sue Barnett & Associates | Grant Bowler](https://web.archive.org/web/20080721005219/http://www.suebarnett.net/bios/bowler_grant.pdf)

- ["Grant Bowler Signs On For Lead In Syfy's Upcoming Epic Science Fiction Series, 'Defiance'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120121020049/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/17/grant-bowler-signs-on-for-lead-in-syfys-upcoming-epic-science-fiction-series-defiance/116791/). [Syfy](/source/Syfy) [press release](/source/Press_release) via Zap2It.com. 17 January 2012. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/17/grant-bowler-signs-on-for-lead-in-syfys-upcoming-epic-science-fiction-series-defiance/116791/) on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.

- ["Grant Bowler on *Gallipoli*, the 2015 TV miniseries"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-guide/65807492/Grants-Gallipoli-campaign). Stuff/Fairfax. 9 February 2015.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Grant Bowler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Bowler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Bowler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.