Biografia
From a young age, Craig knew he wanted to be a full-time entertainer. He realized he could not only enjoy his work but also positively impact others through his talent. From that moment, Craig committed to making entertainment his career.
At 16, Craig began learning everything he could about entertainment. He studied puppetry at the renowned "Puppets in the Park" on the Gold Coast, Australia, under Gerta Pinter. This experience exposed him to some of the world’s best mime artists, including Marcel Marceau and Philippe Genty. After seeing a local magician, he developed a passion for magic and eagerly began learning it.
Craig also received personal acting coaching from the celebrated Australian actress Elizabeth Ryan, known for her early radio and screen work in Australia.
This training led to numerous amateur theatre performances around the Gold Coast with companies such as Spotlight Theatre Company, Tugun Theatre Company, Javenbah Theatre Company, Gold Coast Little Theatre, and the touring Comedy Players. His first professional role came as Simple Simon in the pantomime Jack in the Beanstalk.
In his early twenties, while honing his craft, Craig worked various jobs to support himself, including cleaner, door-to-door orange juice salesman, spruiker, newspaper salesman, truck counter, maintenance man, and mop salesman.
In 1990, Craig successfully auditioned for Paul Sharratt’s live Christmas production The Glory of Christmas, playing the lead role of King Herod. During this production, Paul suggested Craig might be a great fit for the new Warner Bros. Movie World theme park on the Gold Coast as a magical entertainer.
Following this lead and a contact provided by Paul, Craig met with the entertainment manager but was approached by retail supervisor Dean Lyons, who offered him a role in the Magic Shop to demonstrate magic effects. This began nearly three years of employment as the shop’s magician.
Continuing to develop his magic skills, Craig started performing illusions. His growing reputation led to involvement with the 1994 film Street Fighter, where he supplied illusions and acted as a magic advisor, coaching the cast on their magic scenes.
Afterward, Craig opened for Pat Boone during his 1994 Australian concerts at Twin Town Services Club. Despite international offers to perform his illusion show, personal reasons kept him local, where he focused on further developing his acting.
Craig then spent three successful years as Pirate Pete at Wet'n'Wild Water World, presenting three daily shows—a pirate show, a magic show, and hosting a speed slide stunt show—along with creating multiple roaming characters, often working seven days a week.
Feeling burned out in 1997, Craig retired from entertainment and worked as a car park attendant for two years before returning to the industry.
Upon his comeback, Craig received numerous corporate bookings for close-up magic, show hosting, and character performances.
During this period, he expanded his skills in balloon twisting and filmmaking, founding his company, World Stage Promotions Pty Ltd, and performing locally as his balloon character, Happy Sunshine The Balloon Man.
This led to regular performances at fast-food chains McDonald's, Hungry Jack’s, and Pizza Hut. He also worked with local radio station Hot Tomato for eight years, providing balloon twisting, magic, face painting, and roving entertainment.
Craig joined the local filmmaking group S.T.A.R.S., where founder Nerida Marshall introduced him to filmmaker Rob Cleave. This connection resulted in Craig playing the Sheriff in Hot Rod Girls From Hell (2005), marking his return to acting.
He soon landed roles in numerous TV commercials, feature films, and television productions.
Craig is known for his strong character portrayals, seen in projects such as Girl Clock! (2010), God Bless Daddy (2010), Still Waters (2011), Phoenix Rising, Welcome to the Lucky Country (2016), Beyond Redemption: Space Captain (2014), and Frenzy (2015).
In 2015, Lynton V. Harris invited Craig to appear alongside Tony Bonner in a film for a scare attraction at Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast.
This led to roles in Garrison 7: The Road to Garrison 7 (2015), appearances on Juiced TV (2015) as a magician, and the annual Christmas edition as Santa.
In 2016, Craig featured in several short films despite a demanding public performance schedule. As 2017 began, he was in discussions with Angel Studios about joining their next project.
At 45, Craig is a sought-after actor who delights in bringing his characters to life.
When not in front of the camera, he stays busy managing performances and promotional activities through his company, World Stage Promotions.
