Pygram was born in Cootamundra, New South Wales and raised in Wagga Wagga, where, as a teen, he was a Drummer in a dance group. He initially studied art at Riverina College of Advanced Education, but later changed majors to primary school education. While in college, he became a member of a theatre troupe known as the Riverina Trucking Company. Before acting in films and television, he was a regular on the Australian theatre circuit. In 2005, he made a brief cameo in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith as a young Grand Moff Tarkin, because of his striking resemblance to the late Peter Cushing, who portrayed the same character 28 years previously in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope..
