Sam Corlett, the talented actor known for his role in Netflix’s TV series “Vikings: Valhalla,” was born on April 24, 1996, in Matcham, Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in a loving Australian household with his parents, Tim and Kelly.
Key Takeaways
- Sam’s father taught him about two pillars of life: hard work and the importance of family.
- Sam’s mother beat cancer three times bravely.
Sam’s upbringing on an acreage in Matcham, Central Coast, New South Wales, shaped by his parents’ professions—his mother Kelly as a counselor and his father Tim as a carpenter—instilled in him enduring values.
Sam grew up in a home built by his father, where he learned the values of hard work and family, which continue to shape his life and career.
His bond with his father, Tim, was simple yet influential. Tim taught Sam the importance of working hard and staying strong, principles that have grounded him throughout his journey.
Reflecting on his audition for “Vikings: Valhalla,” Sam expressed his sentiments, conveying the influence of his upbringing on his path to success. He said,
“When I received the audition I certainly felt a pang in my heart, because my dad and I used to watch the original series together when I was younger, so I knew this would be one for Dad”
Sam Corlett
He takes pride in his upbringing in the Australian Central Coast suburb of Matcham, along with his parents.
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Sam’s mother, Kelly, beat cancer three times when he was growing up.
Witnessing her resilience, he was inspired by her dedication to studying Gestalt therapy—a holistic approach to psychotherapy focusing on present challenges—which gave her a profound sense of purpose.
Sam recalled his mother sharing insightful quotes from her studies, such as,
“The human heart yearns for contact, above all it yearns for genuine dialogue. Each of us secretly and desperately yearns to be met, to be seen in our uniqueness, our fullness, and our vulnerability.”
This experience deeply impacted him and contributed to his growth as a person and an actor.
Encouraged by his mother, Sam pursued drama schools and enrolled in the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2018, marking the beginning of his rapid rise in the acting world.
He gained recognition with roles in prominent series like “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and the film “The Dry” after graduating.
Sam comes from a close-knit family with an older brother and a younger sister, Emelia.
Before transitioning to acting, he had a successful career as a professional model with Viviens Models.
Known for his wisdom and thoughtfulness, Sam excelled in sports, serving as captain of the rugby and basketball teams during his school years.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Vikings spin-off “Vikings: Valhalla” begins in the early 11th century and chronicles the legendary adventures of Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdotter, Harald Hardrada, and the Norman King William the Conqueror.
- Sam Corlett has honed his craft under the guidance of some of the industry’s most esteemed coaches, including Elizabeth Kemp, Les Chantery, and Gerry Grennell.
- As a writer/director, Sam’s short film for Sony Ciné, ‘At The Motel‘, received much praise.
- Since 2020, he’s been working with the jewelry brand ”Merchants of the Sun.”
