EXCLUSIVE: What happened to the Milkybar Kid? Child star from 90s Nestlé adverts reveals he was BULLIED for the iconic role as his surprising new career is unveiled
He played the iconic 90s Milkybar Kid in Australia’s popular Nestlé commercials.
Just ten years old when he first filmed the famous saloon scenes, Conrad Coleby delivered the much-loved cowboy’s catchphrase: ‘The Milkybars are on me!’
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Monday, Conrad, now 39, revealed how his child star status motivated him to become a successful actor.
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EXCLUSIVE: What happened to the Milkybar Kid? Child star Conrad Coleby (pictured in 80s) from Nestlé adverts became a successful Australian actor after being bullied for iconic TV role
The role has been portrayed by many different blonde child stars in Australia, New Zealand and in the UK since 1960.
While Conrad, who is the son of British actor Robert Coleby, filmed his scenes in the 80s, the commercials were also aired during the 90s.
Conrad’s adverts took place in a Wild West setting, with the Milkybar Kid bursting into a saloon to shout everyone Milkybars as the patrons cheered.
However, Conrad said his TV appearance wasn’t always widely celebrated by his peers: ‘As the Milkybar Kid in my younger days, I copped quite a bit of bullying for being one of the only kids in my neighbourhood for being on TV.’
‘I obviously enjoyed being teased so much that I decided to give everyone more ammunition and become a professional actor later on,’ he added.
THEN: Conrad’s adverts took place in a Wild West setting, with the Milkybar Kid bursting into a saloon to shout everyone Milkybars. Pictured on set during filming
NOW: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Monday, Conrad, now 39, revealed how being bullied as a child star in the iconic ads motivated him to become a successful actor
‘I have worked with every major Australian network’: Conrad played the role of Roman Harris (pictured) on Seven soap Home And Away from 2007 to 2009
‘Since then I have worked with every major Australian network and made my passion for performance into a 20-year career.’
Conrad scored his first major TV role in Disney’s 1999 special Sabrina Down Under with Melissa Joan Hart.
He starred in Australia’s most successful soaps Home and Away (Roman Harris) and Neighbours (Vance Abernethy), and even scored a Logie Award nomination in 2001 for his role as Scott Zinenko on the medical drama All Saints.
Conrad also shared a scene with Hollywood megastar Hugh Jackman in the Marvel blockbuster Wolverine in 2013 as Red Beard.
Remember this? Conrad also played Dylan ‘Dutchy’ Mulholland on Sea Patrol in 2010
While Conrad still acts, he says four years ago he became more passionate about expressing himself from being the lens.
‘I also work now as a freelance professional photographer covering action sports, portraiture, property and varying commercial brand work,’ he said of his business – Conrad Taylor Co.
Conrad, who can be found here on Instagram, now lives within the Gold Coast hinterlands and operates his business from his home studio.
‘I also work now as a freelance professional photographer’: Four years ago, Conrad became more passionate about being behind the lens and now runs a successful photography business on Queensland’s Gold Coast