Julia Zemiro
Julia Zemiro is one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers, known for her work as an actress, television presenter, comedian, writer and performer. Since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1993, she has built an impressive career across theatre, television, film and live performance.
Early Career and Theatre Success
After graduating, Julia Zemiro toured with the Bell Shakespeare Company, developing her skills as a stage performer. She also appeared in several short films, including The Extra and Muffled Love, winning the Tropfest Best Actress Award twice—first in 1999 for The Extra and again in 2001 for Muffled Love.
Her creative talents extended beyond acting, with Zemiro co-writing, directing and performing in Backpackers for the 2000 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
A long-time improvisational theatre performer, Zemiro became a prominent figure in Australian Theatresports. She performed regularly with Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney before relocating to Melbourne, where she joined Impro Melbourne and became a core cast member of the acclaimed improvised stage production Spontaneous Broadway. In 2014, she appeared alongside Richard Roxburgh in the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac.
Television Career
Julia Zemiro first gained television experience as the host of World Telly 2, an international television production broadcast through ABC’s Australia Television service. During her time with the Bell Shakespeare Company, she also became a regular panellist on Good News Week and a writer and performer on Totally Full Frontal, where she portrayed more than 30 different characters.
Since 2005, Zemiro has been the popular host of SBS music quiz show RocKwiz, helping establish the program as one of Australia’s most beloved music television series.
Throughout her television career, she has appeared on numerous Australian programs, including CNNNN, The Wedge, Thank God You’re Here, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation, Top Gear Australia, ADbc and The Bazura Project.
Eurovision and International Recognition
Julia Zemiro has become closely associated with the Eurovision Song Contest. Alongside radio personality Sam Pang, she served as the Australian commentator for SBS broadcasts of Eurovision from 2009 onwards, covering contests held across Europe, including Moscow, Oslo, Düsseldorf, Baku, Malmö, Copenhagen and Vienna.
Her passion for Eurovision led to a memorable appearance during the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, where she featured in a humorous video segment advocating for Australia’s inclusion in the competition.
Acting and Television Hosting
In addition to her presenting work, Zemiro has continued acting in television dramas and films. She appeared as Oriana De La Force in the Australian drama series Conspiracy 365 and played Isabelle in the ABC television film An Accidental Soldier.
She also gained critical acclaim as the host of Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery, a popular ABC interview series that takes guests back to significant locations from their past while exploring their personal and professional journeys.
Awards and Achievements
Julia Zemiro’s career has been recognised with numerous accolades, including two Tropfest Best Actress Awards. Her work across comedy, television, theatre and broadcasting has established her as one of Australia’s most respected and versatile performers.
Julia Zemiro Today
Today, Julia Zemiro remains a highly regarded figure in Australian entertainment. Whether hosting television programs, performing on stage, acting in film and television productions or entertaining audiences through comedy, she continues to be celebrated for her intelligence, humour and engaging on-screen presence.
