Born at Lake Munmorah, New South Wales, Steve Bisley graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) with a degree in Acting in 1977. After early roles in Summer City, Newsfront, and Mad Max, he became one of Australia's most recognisable television and stage actors, with continuing film roles, including cult classic The Big Steal.
In 2013, Bisley released his autobiography, Stillways: A Memoir; it was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, the Queensland Literary Awards, and the National Biography Awards. A follow-up memoir was released in 2017, and his first novel is announced for 2019.