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Chopper Read: Australia’s ‘Celebrity’ Criminal

July 7, 2026 · 29 min

Show notes

How a notorious criminal became a pop culture legend.
Tim & Xanthe unpack the violent life and complicated mythology of Mark Brandon ‘Chopper’ Read -  the underworld figure immortalised in film, television, and true crime folklore. From prison violence and gangland crime to media fame and the cult success of 'Chopper', we examine how a brutal criminal transformed himself into an Australian icon. But beneath the stories, one-liners and legend lies a darker question: why are societies so fascinated by violent men like Chopper Read?

Watch the full video episode on Youtube at Crime Central Australia HERE.

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