He was working as stockman in Rockhampton when discovered by Ralph Smart, who was helping make The Overlanders (1946).
[1] The film's director, Harry Watt, later claimed Murdoch and fellow aboriginal actor Clyde Combo "proved to be first-class actors and were exceedingly quick witted and intelligent.
They certainly disproved the conventional idea that the Australian aboriginal is an animalistic caveman.
"[2] Filmink said "It was Henry Murdoch who personified a specific type of role in the 1940s and 1950s, the aboriginal stockman who was a sidekick/tracker to the white hero.
"[3] Murdoch thought that was the end of his acting career, but he was called back to make several films by visiting companies in Australia.