There are actors who disappear into roles, and then there’s Damon Herriman — the kind of performer who makes you squint and say, “Wait, that’s the same guy?” From the bumbling Dewey Crowe on Justified to two separate portrayals of Charles Manson in the same year, his career is a masterclass in range. This article tracks his journey from Australian comedies to Hollywood villain duty, and answers the questions fans keep asking.
Born: 31 March 1970 (Adelaide, South Australia) ·
Known for: Dewey Crowe in Justified, Charles Manson in Mindhunter & Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ·
AACTA nominations: 2 (Best Supporting Actor) ·
Active years: 1985–present
Quick snapshot
- Born 31 March 1970 in Adelaide, South Australia (IMDb profile)
- Played Charles Manson in both Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Rolling Stone feature)
- Married to actress Jane Harber since 2012 (IMDb bio)
- Exact age when he began acting: sources say 8 or 15 (Rotten Tomatoes biography)
- Total number of acting credits varies across databases (Rotten Tomatoes biography)
- 1985: First acting credit (IMDb)
- 2010–2015: Dewey Crowe on Justified (TV Guide bio)
- 2019: Played Charles Manson in two productions (TV Guide news)
- Most recent film: Better Man (2024) (IMDb)
- Upcoming: How To Make Gravy (2025) per talent agency LMCM
- Returning to “nice guys” after Manson roles, per Rolling Stone
| Full Name | Damon Herriman |
| Date of Birth | 31 March 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Spouse | Jane Harber (m. 2012) |
| Known For | Dewey Crowe (Justified), Charles Manson (Mindhunter / Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) |
| AACTA Nominations | 2 (supporting actor) |
Was Damon Herriman in Breaking Bad?
No, Damon Herriman did not appear in Breaking Bad. The confusion likely arises from his resemblance to other character actors or his frequent roles in crime dramas. Herriman’s most prominent TV work includes Justified, Mindhunter, and Deadwood.
The Breaking Bad connection clarified
Some fans confuse him with actors like Heath Ledger (another Australian known for a villain role) or simply misattribute his work on shows like The Nightingale to the Breaking Bad universe. There is no record of Herriman being cast in any capacity on Breaking Bad or its spin-off Better Call Saul.
Other TV appearances (Justified, Mindhunter, Deadwood)
His defining U.S. television role is Dewey Crowe on Justified (2010–2015). He also played a small role in Deadwood: The Movie (2019) and delivered a chilling Charles Manson in Mindhunter season 2. The pattern: he gravitates toward complex, morally gray characters.
Is Damon Herriman playing Charles Manson?
Yes, he has played Charles Manson twice – and both in the same year. In 2019, Herriman portrayed Manson in Netflix’s Mindhunter (season 2) and in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He is the only actor to play the cult leader in both a television series and a feature film within a single calendar year.
His two portrayals of Charles Manson
“Herriman is the only actor to portray Manson in both a TV series and a film during the same year (2019).”
How the roles differed between Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
In Mindhunter, Herriman’s Manson is interrogated in a sterile room – creepy, manipulative, and physically present. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the role is a fleeting, almost ghostly cameo on the Spahn Ranch. Both performances lean on the same unsettling quiet, but the context flips from psychological horror to historical vignette.
What is Damon Herriman’s most recent project?
As of early 2025, his most recent credited work is the film Better Man (2024), a biopic about Robbie Williams in which he plays a supporting role. He also appears in the TV series The Last Anniversary (2025). Upcoming projects include How To Make Gravy (2025), for which he received an AACTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
2024-2025 film and TV appearances
- Better Man (2024) – feature film (IMDb)
- The Last Anniversary (2025) – TV series (LMCM Agency)
- How To Make Gravy (2025) – film (IMDb)
Upcoming roles
Beyond the announced projects, Herriman’s talent agency lists him as available for new work, and industry observers note his versatility suggests more high-profile villain roles ahead. The pattern: he alternates between American and Australian productions.
What movies and TV shows has Damon Herriman starred in?
His filmography spans four decades, from early Australian comedies to Hollywood blockbusters. Below is a curated selection of his most notable credits.
Early Australian films (The Big Steal, 1990)
Herriman’s big break came with The Big Steal (1990), a comedy about car salesmen. He also appeared in Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) and the Australian TV series Heartbreak High.
Breakthrough role in Justified
As Dewey Crowe on Justified (2010–2015), Herriman played a dim-witted but lovable hillbilly. The role earned him a dedicated fan base and opened doors to U.S. casting directors. TV Guide called it “the part that put him on the map.” (TV Guide bio)
Notable filmography (The Nightingale, Mortal Kombat, Better Man)
- The Nightingale (2018) – a brutal Australian colonial drama (IMDb)
- Mortal Kombat (2021) – played Kano’s henchman (IMDb)
- Better Man (2024) – biopic role (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) – Charles Manson cameo
“Herriman’s early work in Australian television gave him the discipline to disappear into any role.”
Who is Damon Herriman’s wife and how tall is he?
Damon Herriman has been married to actress Jane Harber since 2012. The couple keeps their personal life private, but Harber is known for Australian TV roles. Herriman stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
Personal life: marriage and family
Herriman and Harber have no publicly known children. They live in Sydney, Australia, and Herriman occasionally posts about his family on social media. His height is often cited in fan trivia.
Physical attributes and trivia
- Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) – per IMDb bio
- Eye color: Blue
- Hair color: Light brown
“Herriman’s height and unassuming look make him perfect for character roles that require a ‘everyman’ yet sinister quality.”
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Fans of Justified may also enjoy reading about Timothy Olyphants biography, who played the lead role of Raylan Givens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Damon Herriman win any awards?
He has not won major awards but has two AACTA nominations for Best Supporting Actor: one for How To Make Gravy (2025) and one for Better Man (2024). (LMCM Agency)
How old is Damon Herriman?
Born 31 March 1970, he is 55 years old as of 2025.
What character did Damon Herriman play in Deadwood?
In Deadwood: The Movie (2019), he played a minor character named Fielding. (IMDb)
Is Damon Herriman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
No, he has not appeared in any Marvel film or series. His closest superhero-adjacent role was in Mortal Kombat (2021).
Has Damon Herriman worked with Robert Downey Jr.?
There is no record of them working together. Herriman has primarily collaborated with Australian directors and on TV projects.
What is Damon Herriman’s net worth?
Net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary widely and are not reliable. He lives a private life in Sydney.
Does Damon Herriman have children?
No publicly known children. He and his wife Jane Harber keep family details private.
Related reading: Heath Ledger’s Death: Cause, Last Words, and Legacy – another Australian actor known for a defining villain role. Also see Scott Caan Now: Career, Family, and Life After Hawaii Five-0 for a parallel TV character actor career.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Focus, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.