The Mad Max cast features Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel and Hugh Keays-Byrne. This info article contains minor spoilers and cast/character summaries for George Miller’s 1979 movie on HBO Max and Peacock. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Mad Max takes place in dystopian Australia. When Max Rockatansky reluctantly agrees to continue working as a Main Force Patrol officer, he clashes with a notorious motorcycle gang. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he plots revenge after a familial tragedy. Here’s every actor and character in Mad Max, the first installment of the Mad Max movie franchise.

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Mad Max Cast: Mel Gibson as Max

Character Profile: A Main Force Patrol officer. He plans to quit his job after a colleague’s death. Max strategizes against a motorcycle gang after they attack his wife and son.

Gibson’s Resume: Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon (1987), William Wallace in Braveheart (1995), Craven in Edge of Darkness (2010), Tommy in Bandit (2022), Bill Long in Father Stu (2022)

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Mad Max Cast: Joanne Samuel as Jessie

Character Profile: Max’s wife. She attacks a motorcycle gang member named Toecutter. Jessie tries to protect her son during a fateful road chase.

Samuel’s Resume: Director of The Legend of the Five (2019) — Also, Jill Gordon in The Young Doctors (1976-79), Kelly Morgan in Skyways (1979-80), Mrs. Bingle in The Wiggles Movie (1997), Therese in Smoke Between Trees (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Reality’

Mad Max Cast: Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter

Character Profile: A motorcycle gang leader. He is a sadistic man who bullies one of his crew members. Toecutter terrorizes Jessie.

Keays-Byrne’s Resume: William Wopper in Secret Valley (1980-82), Mr. Stubb in Moby Dick (1998), McNiff in Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999), Man 3 in Sleeping Beauty (2011), Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

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Mad Max Cast: Steve Bisley as Jim Goose

Character Profile: Max’s work partner. He clashes with a motorcycle gang. Jim gets ambushed and ultimately murdered.

Bisley’s Resume: Dr. Henry King in G.P. (1995-96), Det. Sgt. Jack Christey in Water Rats (1998-2001), Dan Cody in The Great Gatsby (2013), Jim Knight in Doctor Doctor (2016-18), Peter Lovric in Mystery Road: Origin (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Succession’

Mad Max Cast: Tim Burns as Johnny the Boy

Character Profile: A member of Toecutter’s gang. He clashes with Jim after being arrested. Johnny the Boy suffers from a personality disorder.

Burns’ Resume: Billy Pearson/Steve Hall in Cop Shop (1979-81), Survey Driver in The Chain Reaction (1980), Martin in Monkey Grip (1982), Kyogle in Resistance (1992), Hungry Eyes in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

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Mad Max Cast: Roger Ward as Fifi

Character Profile: Max’s boss. He is a police captain who strategizes against a motorcycle gang. Fifi equips Max with a customized vehicle.

Ward’s Resume: Ray Sullivan/Wolf Kauffman/George Mason in Homicide (1967-73), Frank “Weppo” Smith in Number 96 (1975-76), Bob Taylor in The Man from Hong Kong (1975), Brophy in Quigley Down Under (1990), Voyte in Bad Behaviour (2010)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘The White Lotus’

The Mad Max cast also includes:

• Lisa Aldenhoven as Nurse
• David Bracks as Mudguts
• Bertrand Cadart as Clunk
• David Cameron as Underground Mechanic
• Robina Chaffey as Singer
• Stephen Clark as Sarse
• Mathew Constantine as Toddler
• Jerry Day as Ziggy
• Reg Evans as Station Master
• Howard Eynon as Diabando

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.