David Gulpilil - Actor Profile

David Gulpilil

Acting
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
35Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jul 1, 1953
Birth Place: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia

About David Gulpilil

David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu AM, known professionally as David Gulpilil and posthumously for cultural reasons as David Dalaithngu for three days, was an Aboriginal Australian (Yolŋu) actor and dancer, known for the films Walkabout, Storm Boy, Rabbit-Proof Fence, and The Tracker.

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

David Gulpilil Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of David Gulpilil reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 35 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of David Gulpilil's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 40% of David Gulpilil's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best David Gulpilil Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from David Gulpilil's career based on audience ratings.

★8.0
Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence (2003) movie poster
★8.0

Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence: This documentary follows Phillip Noyce as he tries to find three aboriginal girls able to act in his film Rabbit Proof F

Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence

2003•Documentary
★7.8
Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee (2025) movie poster
★7.8

Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee: Nearly 40 years on, Crocodile Dundee remains Australia’s biggest film—what made it a cultural icon, and why does it stil

Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee

2025•Documentary
★7.4
The Right Stuff (1983) movie poster
★7.4

The Right Stuff: At the dawn of the Space Race, seven test pilots set out to become the first American astronauts to enter space. However

The Right Stuff

1983•Drama
★7.3
Walkabout (1971) movie poster
★7.3

Walkabout: Under the pretense of having a picnic, a geologist takes his teenage daughter and 6-year-old son into the Australian out

Walkabout

1971•Adventure
★7.0
Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) movie poster
★7.0

Rabbit-Proof Fence: In 1931, three Aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their homes to be trained as domestic staff, and set off

Rabbit-Proof Fence

2002•Adventure

Full Filmography

Every movie David Gulpilil has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Journey Home, David Gulpilil Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2025 Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee Self Super Hit Similar →
2021 My Name Is Gulpilil Self Average Similar →
2017 Cargo Daku Average Similar →
2016 Goldstone Jimmy Average Similar →
2016 MESSiAH - Flop Similar →
2015 Another Country Self / Narrator Average Similar →
2013 Charlie's Country Charlie Hit Similar →
2012 Satellite Boy Jagamarra Average Similar →
2008 Australia King George Hit Similar →
2006 Ten Canoes The Storyteller Hit Similar →
2006 Crocodile Dreaming Burrimmilla Flop Similar →
2005 The Proposition Jacko Hit Similar →
2003 Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence Himself Super Hit Similar →
2002 Mimi Granddad Average Similar →
2002 The Tracker The Tracker Hit Similar →
2002 Gulpilil: One Red Blood Self Hit Similar →
2002 Rabbit-Proof Fence Moodoo Hit Similar →
2001 Serenades Rainman Flop Similar →
1996 Dead Heart Second Man in Desert Average Similar →
1991 Until the End of the World David Hit Similar →
1987 Dark Age Adjaral Average Similar →
1986 Crocodile Dundee Neville Bell Average Similar →
1983 The Right Stuff Aborigine Hit Similar →
1980 Walkabout to Hollywood Self Flop Similar →
1978 3 Dances Gulpilil Dancer Flop Similar →
1978 Walya Ngamardiki: The Land My Mother Self Flop Similar →
1977 The Last Wave Chris Lee Hit Similar →
1977 Storm Boy Fingerbone Hit Similar →
1976 Mad Dog Morgan Billy Average Similar →
1976 To Shoot a Mad Dog Self Flop Similar →
1975 The Rainbow Serpent - Flop Similar →
1973 Showing Melbourne to Maningrida David Gulpilil Flop Similar →
1973 No Bag Limit Self - Dancer Flop Similar →
1971 Walkabout Black Boy Hit Similar →

David Gulpilil - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of David Gulpilil?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Gulpilil is "Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has David Gulpilil acted in?

David Gulpilil has been featured in at least 35 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by David Gulpilil?

Other notable films include "Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee", "The Right Stuff", and "Walkabout".

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