But if you look closer on a few Australian television shows, you may well spot Rod Welsh, lurking in the background.

Although they may only be roles as an extra, he has appeared on some well-known Australian shows such as Packed to the Rafters, Home and Away, Dance Academy and Crownies.

Currently, he is appearing in the new ABC TV series Old School, starring Bryan Brown and Sam Neill, which screens each Friday at 8.30pm.

“Interestingly most of my roles have had to do with prison scenes, where I’m in jail,” he joked.

“They must think I look good in green. But I really think it’s got to do with my tattoos. I suppose I have the appearance they are looking for.

“I’ve done jail scenes in Home and Away, Packed to the Rafters and Crownies, at least in Old School I’ve got out, I’m a parolee.

“I bet in the next role I’ll be an armed robber or something like that and will end up back inside,” he laughed.

The scenes are usually shot in real jails.

“We used Haberfield for Home and Away, which was a weekend detention complex and for the last couple of Packed to the Rafters were shot in the old Parramatta jail,” he said.

“It was pretty scary being in there. A couple of hours was enough.

“At this stage it is all just background stuff, adding to the scene, but who knows, one day it may lead to a talking role. You never know.

“It’s all a bit of fun.”

He said working with screen legends such as Bryan Brown and Sam Neill on Old School was incredible.

“They are lovely blokes,” he said. "Really nice and willing to have a chat off set and a few photos.

“But on set they were very professional, very focused, very serious.”