Henri Szeps
Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:50:02 PM Wikipedia source
Henri Szeps () (2 October 1943 – 23 July 2025), also spelt Henry Szeps, was an Australian character actor of theatre and television. He also featured in films and worked in voice roles, and worked in productions in the United Kingdom. He was best known for his role as "Robert the Dentist" in the original version of ABC sitcom Mother and Son, and in theatre for his performances in many plays by David Williamson. In 2003 he won a Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, for his performance in Cabaret, and earned other awards and honours for his acting.
Infobox
Born
(1943-10-02)2 October 1943Lausanne, Switzerland
Died
23 July 2025(2025-07-23) (aged 81)
Education
University of Sydney
Occupations
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Years active
1962–2025
Organisation
Ensemble Theatre
Known for
Mother and Son, Palace of Dreams, I'm Not a Dentist
Spouse
Mary Ann Severne (m. 1969)
Children
2, including Josh Szeps
Awards
Helpmann AwardNorman Kessell Award for Outstanding PerformancePenguin Award for Best Actor in a mini-seriesGLUGS Lifetime Achievement Award
Tables
· Honours and awards
| Year | Association | Award | Work | Results |
| 1985 | Penguin Award | Best Actor in a mini-series | Palace of Dreams | Won |
| 1997 | Norman Kessell Award | Outstanding Performance | I'm Not a Dentist | Won |
| 2003 | Helpmann Award | Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Cabaret | Won |
| 2014 | Ensemble Theatre | The Henri Szeps Green Room | Honoured | |
| 2015 | Glugs Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured |
· Filmography › Film
1976
God Knows Why, But It Works
Role(s)
Dr. Archie Kalokerinos
Notes
Film
1982
1983
1987
2001
Elixir
Role(s)
Bob Sommerville
Notes
Feature film
2009
No Junk Mail
Notes
Short film
2010
The Bris
Role(s)
Dobinski
Notes
Short film
2013
McLean's Money
Role(s)
Edward McLean
Notes
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1969 | You Can't See 'round Corners | Peter | Feature film |
| 1976 | God Knows Why, But It Works | Dr. Archie Kalokerinos | Film |
| 1980 | Fatty Finn | Mr. Zilch | Feature film |
| 1981 | Run Rebecca, Run | Manuel Cortes | Feature film |
| 1982 | The Best of Friends | Lilo | Feature film |
| 1982 | The Mystery at Castle House | Mr. Wilberforce | Feature film |
| 1983 | The Return of Captain Invincible | Chief Security Officer | Feature film |
| 1983 | Now and Forever | Barry York | Feature film |
| 1983 | Platypus Cove | Winston Bell | Feature film |
| 1985 | Warming Up | Sergeant Peter Sullivan | Feature film |
| 1987 | Les Patterson Saves the World | Dr. Charles Herpes / Desiree Herpes | Feature film |
| 1987 | Travelling North | Saul | Feature film |
| 1987 | The Edge of Power | Steve Traynor | Feature film |
| 1992 | Seeing Red | Louie Leeds | Feature film |
| 2001 | Elixir | Bob Sommerville | Feature film |
| 2009 | No Junk Mail | Short film | |
| 2010 | The Bris | Dobinski | Short film |
| 2012 | Bathing Franky | Rodney | Feature film |
| 2013 | McLean's Money | Edward McLean | Film |
· Filmography › Television
1969
1969–1975
Role(s)
Division 4
Notes
Jeff Taylor / Brian Martin / Jimmy Dunn
1971
Misleading Cases
Role(s)
Pierre
Notes
1 episode
1972
1973; 1974
Role(s)
Colditz
Notes
De Crossait / Captain Henry LeVevre
1974
Barlow
Role(s)
Corsican
Notes
1 episode
Notes
Episode 6: "Tully"
1976
1977
Role(s)
Various characters
1978
1978–1981
Role(s)
Cop Shop
Notes
Steven Halliday / Vincent Morelli
1979
1980
1980; 1984
Role(s)
Kingswood Country
Notes
Mr O'Grady / Eric the Postman
1982
Role(s)
Tran Van
1982–1983
Role(s)
A Country Practice
Notes
Perc Hobbs / Ralph Bianchi
1983
Sherlock Holmes and a Study in Scarlet
Role(s)
Voice
Notes
Animated TV movie
1984
A Tale of Two Cities
Role(s)
Voice
Notes
Animated TV movie
1984–1994
Role(s)
Mother and Son
Notes
Robert Beare
1985
1991
1991; 1995
Role(s)
G.P.
Notes
Charlie Cassidy / Ibram Hanaf
1996
1999; 2009
Role(s)
All Saints
Notes
George Bresnic / Victor McGregor
2001
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1967; 1969 | Homicide | Peter Scott / Alan Shaw / David Yates | 3 episodes |
| 1969 | Skippy the Bush Kangaroo | Bob | 1 episode |
| 1969 | Riptide | Des Dawkins | 1 episode |
| 1969–1975 | Division 4 | Jeff Taylor / Brian Martin / Jimmy Dunn | 3 episodes |
| 1971 | Misleading Cases | Pierre | 1 episode |
| 1971 | Spyforce | Dingo | 1 episode |
| 1971 | The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes | Laval | 1 episode |
| 1972 | Spyder's Web | Policeman | 1 episode |
| 1972 | Spy Trap | The Frenchman | 1 episode |
| 1972 | The Strauss Family | Edi's Dresser | Miniseries, 1 episode |
| 1973; 1974 | Colditz | De Crossait / Captain Henry LeVevre | 2 episodes |
| 1974 | Barlow | Corsican | 1 episode |
| 1974 | Crown Court | Dr. Herman Abel | 2 episodes |
| 1974 | Armchair Cinema | Episode 6: "Tully" | |
| 1975 | Dixon of Dock Green | Onion Man | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Number 96 | Phillip Chambers | 21 episodes |
| 1976 | Do I Have to Kill My Child? | Doctor | TV movie |
| 1977 | The Dick Emery Show in Australia | Various characters | |
| 1977 | Say You Want Me | Jim Morton | TV movie |
| 1978 | Chopper Squad | Falconio | 1 episode |
| 1978–1981 | Cop Shop | Steven Halliday / Vincent Morelli | 5 episodes |
| 1979 | The Plumber | David Medavoy | TV movie |
| 1979 | Ride on Stranger | Vincent Sladder | 4 episodes |
| 1980 | A Toast to Melba | Thomas Beecham / Buffalo Bill / Mayor of Brisbane | TV movie |
| 1980; 1984 | Kingswood Country | Mr O'Grady / Eric the Postman | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | A Step in the Right Direction | TV movie | |
| 1981 | Daily at Dawn | Joe Parker | TV series |
| 1982 | Wilde's Domain | Shenko | TV movie |
| 1982 | Home Sweet Home | Franco | 1 episode |
| 1982 | MPSIB | Tran Van | |
| 1982–1983 | A Country Practice | Perc Hobbs / Ralph Bianchi | 6 episodes |
| 1983 | Sherlock Holmes and the Valley of Fear | Voice | Animated TV movie |
| 1983 | Sherlock Holmes and a Study in Scarlet | Voice | Animated TV movie |
| 1984 | A Tale of Two Cities | Voice | Animated TV movie |
| 1984 | City West | Dr. Mikus Kuskis | 7 episodes |
| 1984 | Carson's Law | Wally Martin | 2 episodes |
| 1984–1994 | Mother and Son | Robert Beare | 38 episodes |
| 1985 | Pickwick Papers | Voice | Animated TV movie |
| 1985 | Palace of Dreams | Mick Mendel | Miniseries, 10 episodes |
| 1987 | Vietnam | Harold Holt | Miniseries, 3 episodes |
| 1988 | Rafferty's Rules | Uncle Aniello | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Hannay | Police Inspector | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Mission: Impossible | Esteban Magdalena | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Hampton Court | Mr. Verstak | 1 episode |
| 1991; 1995 | G.P. | Charlie Cassidy / Ibram Hanaf | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | The Adventures of Skippy | Frank | 1 episode |
| 1996 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | Jacob Verkovic | 1 episode |
| 1999; 2009 | All Saints | George Bresnic / Victor McGregor | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | Stingers | Norman Sagar | 1 episode |
· Stage › As actor
1962
Cecile and the Bespoke Overcoat
Role(s)
Cecile
Notes
University of Sydney
1964
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1966
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1968
1968–1970
Role(s)
The Boys in the Band
Notes
Harold
1970
Notes
Phillip St Theatre, Sydney
Notes
Phillip St Theatre, Sydney
1972
Notes
Queens Theatre, London
1972–1973
Role(s)
The Royal Hunt of the Sun
1972–1973
Role(s)
Twelfth Night
1972–1973
Role(s)
Mother Goose
Notes
Demon Discontent
1963–1974
Role(s)
Pericles
Notes
Fisherman 1
1974–1975
Role(s)
Savages
1975
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra, Monash University, Melbourne
1976
The Beast of Belgrave Square
Role(s)
Gilbert Mortlock
Notes
Neutral Bay Music Hall, Sydney
1977
Funny Peculiar
Role(s)
Desmond Ainsley
Notes
Theatre Royal Sydney, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's
1978
Gone with Hardy
Role(s)
Jock McTavish
Notes
Nimrod, Sydney
1979
1980
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Reunion
Role(s)
Bernie
Notes
Nimrod, Sydney
A Little Brown Hairy Eye
Role(s)
One-man show
Notes
Nimrod, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1980–1981
Role(s)
Celluloid Heroes
Notes
Gary Brady
1982
Role(s)
Ali Hakim
Notes
Festival Theatre, Adelaide, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne
1984
Stage Struck
Notes
Marian St Theatre, Sydney
Two
Notes
Marian St Theatre, Sydney
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1987
Notes
Sydney Theatre Company
Shepherd on the Rocks
Role(s)
Dean Bartholomew Shute / Ern / Nat Wormald
Notes
Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
1988
Role(s)
Alex Gal
Notes
Playhouse, Adelaide, Sydney Opera House, Playhouse, Canberra with STCSA & Gary Penny Productions
1989
Notes
Space Theatre, Adelaide with STCSA
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Just Between Ourselves
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1990–1991; 1993
Role(s)
The Double Bass
Notes
One-man show
1992
Notes
Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Perth
Sky
Role(s)
Rococo Betoni (One-man show)
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Universal Theatre, Melbourne, Playhouse, Perth, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Q Theatre, Penrith
1994
Three Hotels
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1995
Role(s)
Martin Judd
Notes
Sydney Opera House, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with STC & MTC
1995–1998
Role(s)
I'm Not a Dentist
Notes
One-man show
2002
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal Sydney
2002–2003
Role(s)
Cabaret
Notes
Herr Schultz
2003; 2006
Role(s)
Why Kids
Notes
One-man show
2004
Role(s)
Juror 9
Notes
Playhouse, Brisbane, Sydney Theatre, Melbourne Athenaeum with Adrian Bohm Presents
2005
2006
2007; 2010
Role(s)
Halpern & Johnson
Notes
Halpern
2008
QED
Role(s)
Feynman
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Notes
Glen Street Theatre, Sydney & Australian regional tour
2010–2011
Role(s)
Wish I'd Said That
Notes
Joe Bleakley (one-man show)
2011
Four Flat Whites in Italy
Role(s)
Harry
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, The Street Theatre, Canberra
2013
It's My Party (and I'll Die if I Want To)
Role(s)
Ron Patterson
Notes
Lennox Theatre, Parramatta with HIT Productions
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1962 | Cecile and the Bespoke Overcoat | Cecile | University of Sydney |
| 1963 | The Physicists | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| Paint Your Wagon | Arts council tour | ||
| 1964 | An Entertainment: The Canterville Ghost / A Programme of Folk Song | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1966 | The Death of Bessie Smith | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1966 | The Apple Cart | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1968 | Don't Drink the Water | Axel Magee | Independent Theatre, Sydney |
| 1968–1970 | The Boys in the Band | Harold | Australian tour with Harry M. Miller |
| 1970 | When We Are Married | Phillip St Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1970 | Alice in Wonderland | Phillip St Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1971 | Measure for Measure | Stoke-on-Trent | |
| 1972 | I, Claudius | Queens Theatre, London | |
| 1972–1973 | The Royal Hunt of the Sun | The Old Vic UK tour | |
| 1972–1973 | Twelfth Night | The Old Vic UK tour | |
| 1972–1973 | Mother Goose | Demon Discontent | Theatre Royal, Windsor with Windsor Theatre Company |
| 1963–1974 | Pericles | Fisherman 1 | Nottingham Playhouse, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Middle East & Mediterranean tour, Oxford Playhouse, Her Majesty's Theatre, London with Prospect Theatre Company |
| 1974–1975 | Savages | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal, Hobart | |
| 1975 | The Good Doctor | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra, Monash University, Melbourne | |
| 1976 | The Beast of Belgrave Square | Gilbert Mortlock | Neutral Bay Music Hall, Sydney |
| 1977 | Funny Peculiar | Desmond Ainsley | Theatre Royal Sydney, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's |
| 1977 | The Prisoner of Second Avenue | Harry Edison | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1978 | The Comedy of Errors | Egeon / Balthasar | Nimrod, Sydney |
| 1978 | Gone with Hardy | Jock McTavish | Nimrod, Sydney |
| 1979 | Tribute | Lou Daniels | Theatre Royal Sydney, Newcastle Civic Theatre |
| 1979 | Travelling North | Saul | Nimrod, Sydney, Melbourne Athenaeum |
| 1980 | The Death of Bessie Smith | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1980 | Sexual Perversity in Chicago / Reunion | Bernie | Nimrod, Sydney |
| 1980 | Reunion | Bernie | Nimrod, Sydney |
| 1980 | A Little Brown Hairy Eye | One-man show | Nimrod, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1980–1981 | Celluloid Heroes | Gary Brady | Nimrod, Sydney, Theatre Royal Sydney |
| 1982 | Oklahoma! | Ali Hakim | Festival Theatre, Adelaide, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1984 | Stage Struck | Marian St Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1984 | Two | Marian St Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1984 | The Prisoner of Second Avenue | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1985 | The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui | Seymour Centre, Sydney | |
| 1986 | Glengarry Glen Ross | Sydney Opera House, London | |
| 1987 | Hamlet / Henry IV, Part 1 | Sydney Theatre Company | |
| 1987 | Shepherd on the Rocks | Dean Bartholomew Shute / Ern / Nat Wormald | Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA |
| 1988 | Rough Crossing | Alex Gal | Playhouse, Adelaide, Sydney Opera House, Playhouse, Canberra with STCSA & Gary Penny Productions |
| 1989 | Speed-the-Plow | Space Theatre, Adelaide with STCSA | |
| 1989 | The Price | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1989 | Just Between Ourselves | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1990–1991; 1993 | The Double Bass | One-man show | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Perth, Fairfax Studio, Melbourne, Glen St Theatre, Sydney |
| 1992 | Same Time, Next Year | Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Perth | |
| 1992 | Sky | Rococo Betoni (One-man show) | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Universal Theatre, Melbourne, Playhouse, Perth, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Q Theatre, Penrith |
| 1994 | Three Hotels | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1995 | Dead White Males | Martin Judd | Sydney Opera House, Glen St Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with STC & MTC |
| 1995–1998 | I'm Not a Dentist | One-man show | Australian tour |
| 1996 | Heretic | Rick Cooper | Australian tour with STC & MTC |
· Stage › As playwright / director / crew
1975
Role(s)
Composer
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra, Monash University, Melbourne
1980
A Little Brown Hairy Eye
Role(s)
Playwright
Notes
Nimrod, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1990–1991; 1993
Role(s)
The Double Bass
Notes
Translator
1995–1998
Role(s)
I'm Not a Dentist
Notes
Playwright / Director
2003; 2006
Role(s)
Why Kids
Notes
Playwright / Devisor
2010
Wish I'd Said That
Role(s)
Playwright
Notes
Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1975 | The Good Doctor | Composer | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra, Monash University, Melbourne |
| 1980 | A Little Brown Hairy Eye | Playwright | Nimrod, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1990–1991; 1993 | The Double Bass | Translator | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Perth, Fairfax Studio, Melbourne, Glen St Theatre, Sydney |
| 1995–1998 | I'm Not a Dentist | Playwright / Director | Hakoah Club, Bondi, Effie Crump Theatre, Perth, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Monash University, Melbourne |
| 2003; 2006 | Why Kids | Playwright / Devisor | Australian tour |
| 2010 | Wish I'd Said That | Playwright | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
References
- ABC listenhttps://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/spiritofthings/henri-szeps/4881564
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jul/24/henri-szeps-dies-film-theatre-tv-actor-abc-mother-and-son
- "I'm Not a Dentist"https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/im-not-a-dentist/
- "Henri's story"https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/henris-story/
- Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995)https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102068376
- "I'm Not a Dentist"https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/im-not-a-dentist/
- "Henri Szeps"https://www.shorelife.com.au/henri-szeps/
- ScreenHub Australiahttps://www.screenhub.com.au/news/article/vale-henri-szeps-oam-remembered-for-mother-and-son-and-a-storied-stage-career-2673933/
- "Henry Szeps 'It's My Party': Acting for Life"https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/10456813
- Limelighthttps://limelight-arts.com.au/news/vale-henri-szeps-actor/
- Helpmann Awardshttp://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2003/past-nominees-and-winners/musicals
- "Just Between Us – Josh and Henri Szeps"https://m.facebook.com/radionational/videos/just-between-us-josh-and-henri-szeps/852011555426554/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos
- ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-24/henri-szeps-actor-dies-aged-81/105569946
- The Sydney Morning Heraldhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/henri-szeps-star-of-the-abc-s-mother-and-son-dies-aged-81-20250724-p5mhjz.html
- Australian Honours Search Facilityhttps://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/870527
- Stage Whispershttps://www.stagewhispers.com.au/stage-briefs/vale-henri-szeps
- Glugshttps://glugsofgosh.wordpress.com/awards/
- Australian Arts Reviewhttps://artsreview.com.au/the-glugs-awards-announced-in-sydney/
- "Henri Szeps"https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/3594
- "The Royal Hunt of the Sun"https://theatricalia.com/play/4k6/the-royal-hunt-of-the-sun/production/aka
- "Twelfth Night"https://theatricalia.com/play/f/twelfth-night/production/ak8
- "Mother Goose"https://theatricalia.com/play/jcq/mother-goose/production/1ank
- "Pericles"https://theatricalia.com/play/21/pericles/production/ak9