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{{short description|Australian actor and director}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Cody Fern
| name = Cody Fern
| image =
| image = 20180521 BL VMAN 0697 copy(1).jpg
| caption =
| caption = Fern in June 2019
| birth_date = December 15,1988
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|07|06}}
| birth_place = [[Southern Cross, Western Australia]]
| birth_place = [[Southern Cross, Western Australia]], Australia
| alma_mater = [[Curtin University of Technology]]
| alma_mater = [[Curtin University of Technology]]
| occupation = Actor, director, screenwriter
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|director}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| years_active = 2008–present
}}
}}


'''Cody Fern''' (born December 15, 1988) is an [[Australian]] actor and filmmaker. Following his feature debut in ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]'' (2017), he portrayed murder victim David Madson in the [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] series ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]'' (2018). Later that year, Fern had his breakthrough performance as the [[Antichrist]] [[List of American Horror Story: Murder House characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]] in ''[[American Horror Story: Apocalypse]]''. He also appears in the final season of the [[Netflix]] drama ''[[House of Cards (U.S. TV series)|House of Cards]]'' as Duncan Shepherd.
'''Cody Fern''' (born 6 July 1988) is an Australian actor and director. Following his feature debut in ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]'' (2017), he portrayed murder victim David Madson in the [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] series ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]'' (2018). Later that year, Fern played [[List of American Horror Story: Apocalypse characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]] in ''[[American Horror Story: Apocalypse]]''. He appeared in the final season of the [[Netflix]] drama ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]'' as Duncan Shepherd. In 2019, he returned to ''[[American Horror Story]]'' for its ninth season ''[[American Horror Story: 1984|1984]]'', playing Xavier Plympton. In 2021, he guest-starred in the tenth season, subtitled ''[[American Horror Story: Double Feature|Double Feature]]'' as Valiant Thor, and has appeared in two episodes of the spin-off series ''[[American Horror Stories]]''.


==Early life and education==
== Early life and education==
Fern was born in [[Southern Cross, Western Australia|Southern Cross]], in rural [[Western Australia]].<ref>[http://www.thewrap.com/australians-in-film-awards-6th-annual-heath-ledger-scholarship/ Heath Ledger Scholarship Awarded to 'War Horse' Stage Actor Cody Fern - TheWrap<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/stage/codys-calling-20130318-2ga1w.html Cody's calling<!-- Bot generated title -->] ''The Age''</ref> He attended [[boarding school]] at [[Merredin Senior High School]], and graduated from [[Curtin University of Technology]] with an [[Honours Degree]] in Commerce in 2009.<ref name="heraldsun">[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts-books/cody-fern-ready-for-the-ride-of-his-life-in-war-horse/story-fn7euh6j-1226496323743 "Cody Fern ready for the ride of his life in War Horse"]. Sally Bennett. ''Sunday Herald Sun'', October 15, 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/acting-added-up-for-cody-fern/story-e6frewt9-1226593871728 "Acting added up for Cody Fern"]. Jo Litson. ''The Sunday Telegraph'', March 10, 2013</ref>
Fern was born on 6 July 1988 in [[Southern Cross, Western Australia|Southern Cross]] in rural [[Western Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How old is Cody Fern? |url=https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/cody-fern/age/ |website=PopBuzz |language=en-US |access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Jason |date=12 June 2014 |title=Heath Ledger Scholarship Awarded to 'War Horse' Stage Actor Cody Fern |url=https://www.thewrap.com/australians-in-film-awards-6th-annual-heath-ledger-scholarship/ |website=The Wrap |language=en-US |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dow |first=Steve |date=21 March 2013 |title=Cody's calling |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/codys-calling-20130318-2ga1w.html |website=The Age |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref> He attended [[boarding school]] at [[Merredin Senior High School]], and graduated from [[Curtin University of Technology]] with an [[Honours Degree]] in Commerce in 2009.<ref name="heraldsun">{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Sally |date=15 October 2012 |title=Cody Fern ready for the ride of his life in War Horse |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts-books/cody-fern-ready-for-the-ride-of-his-life-in-war-horse/story-fn7euh6j-1226496323743 |url-status= |work=Sunday Herald Sun |language=en-AU |access-date=}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Litson |first=Jo |date=10 March 2013 |title=Acting added up for Cody |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/acting-added-up-for-cody-fern/news-story/1c330a547028331150fc5017a94e819a |website=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>


==Career==
== Career ==
Fern had initially considered a career in finance before pursuing acting. According to an interview with ''Anthem Magazine'', he hated his life while working in finance. He said, "This is not what I want my life to be. But I'm here and I'm doing it and I'm trying to fit in." It was the [[Cate Blanchett]]-starring film duology ''[[Elizabeth (film)|Elizabeth]]'' and ''[[Elizabeth: The Golden Age]]'' that made him want to become an actor.<ref name="Chang">{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Kee |date=18 November 2017 |title=Screen Test: Cody Fern |url=http://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-cody-fern/ |website=Anthem Magazine |access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
In 2011, Fern played [[Romeo]] in [[Shakespeare in the Park festivals#Shakespeare WA .28Perth.29|Shakespeare WA's]] production of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', Lindsay in the [[Black Swan Theatre Company]]'s ''Jandamarra'', and the [[Earl of Southampton]] in the world premiere production of ''The Enchanters'' at the State Theatre of Western Australia.<ref name="shakespearewa">[http://shakespearewa.com/acting-company/cody-fern/ Cody Fern | Shakespeare WA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He has appeared in a number of [[short film]]s, including the Western Australian Screen Award-winning [[movie|picture]] ''Still Take You Home'' (2010) and ''The Last Time I Saw Richard'' (2014).


Fern has trained with well known acting coaches, including: [[Ellen Burstyn]], [[Larry Moss (acting coach)|Larry Moss]], and [[Susan Batson]]. Fern played the [[lead role]] of Albert in the [[National Theatre of Great Britain]]'s production [[War Horse (play)|''War Horse'']],<ref name="simonparrismaninchair">[http://simonparrismaninchair.com/2013/01/01/war-horse-review/ War Horse [Melbourne&#93; review | Simon Parris: Man in Chair<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/from-the-heart-of-the-beast-20121130-2ala5.html "From the heart of the beast"] December 1, 2012 Jessica Nicholas. ''Sydney Morning Herald''</ref> which received critical acclaim.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/brilliant-puppetry-wins-hearts-in-a-canter-20121231-2c312.html "Brilliant puppetry wins hearts in a canter"]. ''Sydney Morning Herald'', January 1, 2013 Cameron Woodhead.</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/stage/war-horse-star-ordered-to-rest-after-injury-20130320-2gfc6.html War Horse star ordered to rest after injury<!-- Bot generated title -->]. ''Sydney Morning Herald''</ref>
Fern has trained with acting coaches, including [[Ellen Burstyn]], [[Larry Moss (acting coach)|Larry Moss]], and [[Susan Batson]]. Fern played the [[lead role]] of Albert in the [[National Theatre of Great Britain]]'s production ''[[War Horse (play)|War Horse]]'',<ref name="simonparrismaninchair">{{Cite web |last=Parris |first=Simon |date=1 January 2013 |title=War Horse [Melbourne] review |url=https://simonparrismaninchair.com/2013/01/01/war-horse-review/ |website=Man in Chair |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholas |first=Jessica |date=30 November 2012 |title=From the heart of the beast |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/from-the-heart-of-the-beast-20121130-2ala5.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref> which received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodhead |first=Cameron |date=31 December 2012 |title=Brilliant puppetry wins hearts in a canter |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/brilliant-puppetry-wins-hearts-in-a-canter-20121231-2c312.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dow |first=Steve |date=20 March 2013 |title=War Horse star ordered to rest after injury |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/war-horse-star-ordered-to-rest-after-injury-20130320-2gfc6.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en-AU |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>


In 2011, Fern played [[Romeo]] in [[Shakespeare in the Park festivals#Shakespeare WA (Perth)|Shakespeare WA's]] production of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', Lindsay in the [[Black Swan Theatre Company]]'s ''Jandamarra'', and the [[Earl of Southampton]] in the world premiere production of ''The Enchanters'' at the State Theatre of Western Australia.<ref name="shakespearewa">{{Cite web |title=Cody Fern |url=http://www.shakespearewa.com/acting-company/cody-fern/ |website=Shakespeare WA |date=13 October 2011 |access-date=5 May 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618152545/http://www.shakespearewa.com/acting-company/cody-fern/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He has appeared in a number of [[short film]]s, including the Western Australian Screen Award-winning film ''Still Take You Home'' (2010) and ''The Last Time I Saw Richard'' (2014).
In 2014, Fern was the winner of the [[Heath Ledger]] [[Scholarship]].<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2656859/You-remind-Heath-Ledger-Cody-Fern-winner-years-Australians-In-Film-Scholarship-reveals-connection-late-star.html Heath Ledger scholarship awarded to newcomer Cody Fern | Mail Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://filmink.com.au/news/cody-fern-wins-heath-ledger-scholarship/ "Cody Fern Wins Heath Ledger Scholarship"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623181113/http://filmink.com.au/news/cody-fern-wins-heath-ledger-scholarship/ |date=2014-06-23 }} ''FilmInk''</ref>


In 2014, Fern was the recipient of the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship by [[Australians in Film]], an award aimed at financially and professionally supporting actors of Australian descent. This includes, besides a cash fund, a two-year scholarship at Los Angeles' Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre and mentorship from the father of actor [[Heath Ledger]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holman |first=Jordyn |date=13 June 2014 |title=Q&A: Heath Ledger Scholarship Recipient Talks Future in Film |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/awards/qa-heath-ledger-scholarship-recipient-talks-future-in-film-1201219716/ |website=Variety |language=en-US |access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
He appeared as Jim Mason in ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]'' and wrote, directed and starred in the short film ''Pisces'' opposite [[Keir Gilchrist]] in 2017.
In 2018, Fern made his television debut in the acclaimed [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] [[true crime]] [[anthology]] series ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]'' as David Madson. He was later announced to star in the series regular role of Duncan Shepherd on the final season of ''[[House of Cards (U.S. TV series)|House of Cards]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://deadline.com/2018/02/cody-fern-house-of-cards-casting-series-regular-1202281966/|title=Cody Fern Lands Series Regular Role On Netflix’s ‘House Of Cards’|date=February 8, 2018 |website=Deadline.com|accessdate=February 8, 2018|first=Greg|last=Evans}}</ref> Fern portrays the [[Antichrist]] [[List of American Horror Story: Murder House characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]] in the [[American Horror Story: Apocalypse|eighth season]] of FX [[Horror fiction|horror]] anthology series ''[[American Horror Story]]'', titled ''Apocalypse''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/american-horror-story-season-8-cody-fern-as-michael-langdon-1202887729/|title=‘American Horror Story’ Season 8 Casts Cody Fern as Michael Langdon|website=Variety|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=July 26, 2018}}</ref>


He appeared as Jim Mason in ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]'' and wrote, directed and starred in the short film ''Pisces'' opposite [[Keir Gilchrist]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bugbee |first=Teo |date=30 November 2017 |title=Review: Strong Performances Anchor 'The Tribes of Palos Verdes' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/movies/the-tribes-of-palos-verdes-review-jennifer-garner.html |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="Chang"/> In a ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' sit-down interview, Fern had planned to take an 18-month hiatus from acting to focus on ''Pisces'' when ''Versace'' came along.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cody Fern was going to take 18-month hiatus from acting when 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace' came along |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/97027454-132.html |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
==Filmography==

===Film===
In 2018, Fern made his television debut in the acclaimed [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] [[true crime]] [[anthology]] series ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]'' as David Madson which earned him the [[Gold Derby]] TV Award for Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor and a nomination for Breakthrough Performer of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montgomery |first1=Daniel |last2=Dixon |first2=Marcus James |last3=Beachum |first3=Chris |last4=Eng |first4=Joyce |date=6 September 2018 |title=2018 Gold Derby TV Awards winners: 'Versace' and 'Handmaid's Tale' are top winners, but 'Game of Thrones' takes Best Drama |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2018/2018-gold-derby-tv-awards-winners-versace-handmaids-tale-game-of-thrones-news-957368402/ |website=Gold Derby |language=en-US |access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref> He was announced to star in the series regular role of Duncan Shepherd on the final season of ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=8 February 2018 |title=Cody Fern Lands Series Regular Role On Netflix's ''House of Cards'' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/cody-fern-house-of-cards-casting-series-regular-1202281966/ |website=Deadline |language=en-US |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Variety Staff |date=27 August 2018 |title=''House of Cards'' Unveils First Look at Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear Characters Inspired by Koch Brothers |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/house-of-cards-diane-lane-greg-kinnear-shepherd-1202917512/ |website=Variety |language=en-US |access-date=28 October 2018}}</ref> The same year, Fern portrayed the [[Antichrist]] [[List of American Horror Story: Apocalypse characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]] in the [[American Horror Story: Apocalypse|eighth season]] of FX [[Horror fiction|horror]] anthology series ''[[American Horror Story]]'', titled ''Apocalypse''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=26 July 2018 |title=''American Horror Story'' Season 8 Casts Cody Fern as Michael Langdon and he's the best actor in that season |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/american-horror-story-season-8-cody-fern-as-michael-langdon-1202887729/ |website=Variety |language=en-US |access-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> In 2019, Fern played Xavier Plympton in the ninth season of the show, ''[[American Horror Story: 1984]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harnick |first=Chris |date=18 September 2019 |title=Meet the American Horror Story: 1984 Characters: Who's Who Among the Star-Studded Cast |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1074394/meet-the-american-horror-story-1984-characters-who-s-who-among-the-star-studded-cast |website=E! Online |language=en-US |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, Fern portrayed Stan Vogel in ''[[American Horror Stories]]'' episode ''Feral,'' and Valiant Thor in ''[[American Horror Story]]'', ''Double Feature: Death Valley''. In 2022, he portrayed Thomas Browne in ''American Horror Stories'' episode ''Milkmaids''. In 2022, Fern played a priest named Jacob in the film ''[[Father Stu]]''.

== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 33: Line 40:
! Title
! Title
! Role
! Role
! Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
| ''Hole in the Ground''
| ''Hole in the Ground''
| Zach
| Zack
| Short film
| rowspan="5" | Short film
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| ''Still Take You Home''
| ''Still Take You Home''
| Milk
| Milk
| Short film
|-
|-
| ''Drawn Home''
| ''Drawn Home''
| Steve
| Steve
|-
| Short film
| 2011
| ''3AM''
| Nj
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
| ''The Last Time I Saw Richard''
| ''The Last Time I Saw Richard''
| Richard
| Richard
| Short film
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]''
| ''[[The Tribes of Palos Verdes]]''
| Jim Mason
| Jim Mason
|
|
|-
|-
| ''Pisces''
| ''Pisces''
Line 64: Line 72:
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''The Great Darkened Days''
| ''[[The Great Darkened Days]]''
| Travelling Salesman
| Travelling Salesman
|
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Father Stu]]''
| Jacob
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Fairyland (film)|Fairyland]]''
| Eddie Body
|
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Jimpa]]''
|
| Post production
|-
|}
|}


===Television===
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
! Role
! Role
! Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
Line 85: Line 109:
| ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]''
| ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]]''
| David Madson
| David Madson
| Recurring, 4 episodes
| 4 episodes
|-
|-
| ''[[American Horror Story: Apocalypse]]''
| ''[[American Horror Story: Apocalypse]]''
| [[List of American Horror Story: Murder House characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]]
| [[List of American Horror Story: Apocalypse characters#Michael Langdon|Michael Langdon]]
| Main, 7 episodes
| 9 episodes
|-
|-
| ''[[House of Cards (U.S. TV series)|House of Cards]]''
| ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]''
| Duncan Shepherd
| Duncan Shepherd
| 6 episodes
| Main
|-
| 2019
| ''[[American Horror Story: 1984]]''
| [[Xavier Plympton]]
| 9 episodes
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Eden (Australian TV series)|Eden]]''
| Andy Dolan
| 3 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021-2022
| rowspan="2" | ''[[American Horror Stories]]''
| Stan Vogel
| Episode: "Feral"
|-
| Thomas Browne
| Episode: "Milkmaids"
|-
| 2021
| ''[[American Horror Story: Double Feature]]''
| Valiant Thor
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2025
|''[[Foundation (TV series)|Foundation]]''
| Toran Mallow
| Recurring, season 3
|-

|}
|}


== External links ==
=== Video games ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* {{IMDb name|3719144}}
! Year
*{{Instagram|codyfern}}
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Star Wars Jedi: Survivor]]''
| Dagan Gera
| Voice, motion capture, and likeness
| <ref>{{cite web |last1=Saunders |first1=Toby |date=April 29, 2023 |title=Star Wars Jedi: Survivor cast – Confirmed voice actors & how you know them |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/star-wars-jedi-survivor-cast-voice-actors/ |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB |access-date=May 5, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|3719144}}
* {{instagram|codyfern}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fern, Cody}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fern, Cody}}
<!--[[Category:1988 births]]-->
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:Australian male film actors]]
[[Category:Australian male film actors]]
[[Category:Australian male television actors]]
[[Category:Australian male television actors]]
[[Category:Australian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Australian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian LGBTQ male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Western Australia]]
[[Category:Male actors from Western Australia]]
[[Category:People from Southern Cross, Western Australia]]
[[Category:People from Southern Cross, Western Australia]]
[[Category:Curtin University alumni]]
[[Category:Curtin University alumni]]
[[Category:1988 births]]

Latest revision as of 13:04, 17 November 2024

Cody Fern
Fern in June 2019
Born (1988-07-06) 6 July 1988 (age 36)
Alma materCurtin University of Technology
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active2008–present

Cody Fern (born 6 July 1988) is an Australian actor and director. Following his feature debut in The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017), he portrayed murder victim David Madson in the FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018). Later that year, Fern played Michael Langdon in American Horror Story: Apocalypse. He appeared in the final season of the Netflix drama House of Cards as Duncan Shepherd. In 2019, he returned to American Horror Story for its ninth season 1984, playing Xavier Plympton. In 2021, he guest-starred in the tenth season, subtitled Double Feature as Valiant Thor, and has appeared in two episodes of the spin-off series American Horror Stories.

Early life and education

[edit]

Fern was born on 6 July 1988 in Southern Cross in rural Western Australia.[1][2][3] He attended boarding school at Merredin Senior High School, and graduated from Curtin University of Technology with an Honours Degree in Commerce in 2009.[4][5]

Career

[edit]

Fern had initially considered a career in finance before pursuing acting. According to an interview with Anthem Magazine, he hated his life while working in finance. He said, "This is not what I want my life to be. But I'm here and I'm doing it and I'm trying to fit in." It was the Cate Blanchett-starring film duology Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age that made him want to become an actor.[6]

Fern has trained with acting coaches, including Ellen Burstyn, Larry Moss, and Susan Batson. Fern played the lead role of Albert in the National Theatre of Great Britain's production War Horse,[7][8] which received critical acclaim.[9][10]

In 2011, Fern played Romeo in Shakespeare WA's production of Romeo and Juliet, Lindsay in the Black Swan Theatre Company's Jandamarra, and the Earl of Southampton in the world premiere production of The Enchanters at the State Theatre of Western Australia.[11] He has appeared in a number of short films, including the Western Australian Screen Award-winning film Still Take You Home (2010) and The Last Time I Saw Richard (2014).

In 2014, Fern was the recipient of the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship by Australians in Film, an award aimed at financially and professionally supporting actors of Australian descent. This includes, besides a cash fund, a two-year scholarship at Los Angeles' Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre and mentorship from the father of actor Heath Ledger.[12]

He appeared as Jim Mason in The Tribes of Palos Verdes and wrote, directed and starred in the short film Pisces opposite Keir Gilchrist in 2017.[13][6] In a Los Angeles Times sit-down interview, Fern had planned to take an 18-month hiatus from acting to focus on Pisces when Versace came along.[14]

In 2018, Fern made his television debut in the acclaimed FX true crime anthology series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story as David Madson which earned him the Gold Derby TV Award for Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor and a nomination for Breakthrough Performer of the Year.[15] He was announced to star in the series regular role of Duncan Shepherd on the final season of House of Cards.[16][17] The same year, Fern portrayed the Antichrist Michael Langdon in the eighth season of FX horror anthology series American Horror Story, titled Apocalypse.[18] In 2019, Fern played Xavier Plympton in the ninth season of the show, American Horror Story: 1984.[19]

In 2021, Fern portrayed Stan Vogel in American Horror Stories episode Feral, and Valiant Thor in American Horror Story, Double Feature: Death Valley. In 2022, he portrayed Thomas Browne in American Horror Stories episode Milkmaids. In 2022, Fern played a priest named Jacob in the film Father Stu.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Hole in the Ground Zack Short film
2010 Still Take You Home Milk
Drawn Home Steve
2011 3AM Nj
2014 The Last Time I Saw Richard Richard
2017 The Tribes of Palos Verdes Jim Mason
Pisces Charlie Short film; also director and writer
2018 The Great Darkened Days Travelling Salesman
2022 Father Stu Jacob
2023 Fairyland Eddie Body
2025 Jimpa Post production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Christmas Eve, 1914 Arnold Chapman Television film
2018 The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story David Madson 4 episodes
American Horror Story: Apocalypse Michael Langdon 9 episodes
House of Cards Duncan Shepherd 6 episodes
2019 American Horror Story: 1984 Xavier Plympton 9 episodes
2021 Eden Andy Dolan 3 episodes
2021-2022 American Horror Stories Stan Vogel Episode: "Feral"
Thomas Browne Episode: "Milkmaids"
2021 American Horror Story: Double Feature Valiant Thor 2 episodes
2025 Foundation Toran Mallow Recurring, season 3

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Dagan Gera Voice, motion capture, and likeness [20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "How old is Cody Fern?". PopBuzz. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  2. ^ Hughes, Jason (12 June 2014). "Heath Ledger Scholarship Awarded to 'War Horse' Stage Actor Cody Fern". The Wrap. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ Dow, Steve (21 March 2013). "Cody's calling". The Age. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
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