24 September 2023 , 09:34
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Neighbours star Kristian Schmid looks worlds away from his young character over three decades after leaving the Australian soap.
The actor, now 48, is best known for his role as Todd Landers on the long-running soap. Fans were left heartbroken when it was announced that it was coming to an end after almost 40 years. Thankfully, it was soon announced that the show - that launched the careers of Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth - would make a surprising comeback and that the stars have already started filming for the next series of the soap, which will air from today on Amazon.
Fan-favourite Kristian's career started at the age of 12 when he signed up for an acting course in Melbourne. It only took three weeks before the Neighbours casting director came to the school to hold auditions. He asked to audition and the rest was history as he was successfully chosen as Todd Landers. He first appeared as Todd in February 1988 and had an on-screen death in July 1992. The actor returned as a spirit in the following episode.
Kristian as he looked as Todd in 1997 (REX/Shutterstock)
The actor looks dramatically different now (Channel 5)When his girlfriend got pregnant, the two decided it would be best for her to get an abortion. Todd soon changed his mind but was hit by a van while on the way. He was rushed to the hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest before passing away. As it's been over 30 years since he appeared as Todd on the soap, it's no surprise he looks completely different to his teen days.
Fans might recognise him from his more recent work in Home and Away. Between 2016 and 2017, he appeared as Mick Jennings. Meanwhile, his sharp eyebrows have stayed the same throughout the years. His character was introduced as the long-lost son of Irene Roberts, who was played by Lynne McGranger. Viewers soon found out that Mick was actually Billie Ashford's rapist, and she gave birth to her baby before dying of cancer.
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Kristian has appeared on television a lot over the years and people might recognise him from the 2002 hit Scooby-Doo movie, which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. He performed on stage and worked on three different versions of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. His other projects include The Tomorrow People, Blue Heelers, Hercules, Sea Patrol, and Santa's Apprentice.