Reg Gorman
Reg Gorman (2 August 1932 – 5 August 2021) was an Australian television and film actor, and comedian, he was known best for his role in TV serial The Sullivans, as Jack Fletcher.[1] and children's series Fergus McPhail as Harry Patterson.[2]
Gorman was also active in radio dramas and theatre and was one of the last active vaudeville performers in Australia.[3][full citation needed]
Personal life
Reg Gorman, trained with Hayes Gordon and J.C. Williamson Theatre Company, he was married to fellow actor Judith Roberts. The couple had three children: Kate, Karl and Charmaine. They raised their children together while working in the theatre, television and film industries.[4]
Career
Television roles
While having his comedy roots in vaudeville,[5][full citation needed] Gorman began his television career with appearances on the Australian television series Consider Your Verdict in 1964 and again in 1966. His first recurring star role in a series was the ATN series Mrs. Finnegan as Darby Finnigan in 13 episodes from 1970 to 1971.
In 1976, he joined the cast of The Sullivans and remained in his role of Jack Fletcher for the series' entire 1976–1983 run.
Gorman played the guest role of Bert Gibbs in Prisoner in 1984, and appeared in several episodes of the series The Henderson Kids (1985). In 1985 he guested in four episodes in Neighbours as Wally Walters, returning to the series again in 1999 in a different role.
He starred as Reg Hide in the 1987 series pilot Jackal and Hide alongside Norman Yemm, his former co-star from The Sullivans,[6] who co-starred in the pilot as the character of Norm Jackal.
In 1994, he played the role of Mr. Fowler in the Hugh Jackman vehicle Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. In 1997 he held the role of Grandpa in seven episodes of The Wayne Manifesto.
From 2000 through to 2001, he appeared in the series Something in the Air in four episodes as Ken. He also appeared as Harry Patterson in all 26 episodes of the 2004 comedy series Fergus McPhail.[2]
Film roles
Gorman was also involved in numerous films, beginning in 1968 as Otto in the western drama Koya no toseinin (released in English as The Drifting Avenger), and up to his later projects, Animals and the short film Like It Was Yesterday (both 2012).
Gorman was described as being one of the last Australian vaudeville performers.[1][7]
Death
Gorman died from cancer at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, aged 89, on 5 August 2021.[8][9]
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Type |
---|---|---|---|
1961 | Whiplash | Gang member | TV series, 1 episode |
1964–66 | Consider Your Verdict | Reg Fraser | TV series, 2 episodes |
1967 | Contrabandits | Pogo / Fred | TV series, 2 episodes |
1968–69 | Skippy | Jim Nelson / Jim Paine | TV series, 2 episodes |
1969 | I’ve Married a Bachelor | Sergeant Grogan | TV series, 1 episode |
1969 | Riptide | Reg / Wal / Charlie | TV series, 3 episodes |
1969 | The Rovers | Policeman | TV series, 1 episode |
1969 | Woobinda, Animal Doctor | TV series, 1 episode | |
1970–71 | Mrs. Finnegan | Darby Finnegan | TV series, 13 episodes |
1971–73 | Spyforce | Murphy / Eddie | TV series, 2 episodes |
1972 | Barrier Reef | George | TV series, 1 episode |
1972 | Boney | Bray | TV series, 1 episode |
1972 | Division 4 | Ted Morris / Fred Jackson / Cliff Wood | TV series, 2 episodes |
1973 | Our Man in the Company | TV technician | TV series, 1 episode |
1974 | Rush | Craig | TV series, 1 episode |
1965–76 | Homicide | Eric Dowling / Alfred Harrison / Mick Ryan / Fred Dowling / Mick Evans / Howard Wilson / Max Saunders | TV series, 8 episodes |
1972–76 | Matlock Police | Jock McKenzie / Fishy Taylor / Murray Slater / Brian Bennett / Paddy / Joe Campbell | TV series, 6 episodes |
1976 | The Bluestone Boys | Brigsy | TV series |
1976 | Bluey | Nipper Read | TV series, 1 episode |
1976 | Power Without Glory | Priest | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1976–83 | The Sullivans | Jack Fletcher | TV series, 1114 episodes |
1981 | I Can Jump Puddles | Arthur | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1983 | Carson's Law | Sergeant / Tate | TV series, 2 episodes |
1983 | Home | Maguire | TV series, 2 episodes |
1983 | All the Rivers Run | Examining Skipper | TV series, 2 episodes |
1984 | Special Squad | Ryan | TV series, 1 episode: "Trojan Horses" |
1984 | Prisoner | Bert Gibbs | TV series, 4 episodes |
1985 | A Thousand Skies | Joe the Fireman | TV series, 1 episode |
1985 | The Henderson Kids | Kernow | TV series, 11 episodes |
1986 | My Brother Tom | M / O Driver | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1986 | The Fast Lane | Lou | TV series, 1 episode |
1986 | A Country Practice | Fisherman | TV series, 2 episodes |
1986 | Sword of Honour | Jack | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1987 | Jackal and Hide | Reg Hide | TV series |
1988 | Sentiments | Repo man | TV series, 1 episode |
1990 | The Great Air Race | Race official (Charleville) | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1992 | Boys from the Bush | Johnny | TV series, 1 episode |
1992 | The New Adventures of Black Beauty | Richmond | TV series, 1 episode |
1992 | Kelly | Fireman | TV series, 1 episode |
1994 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | Mr Fowler | TV series, 6 episodes |
1994 | Law of the Land | Gary Jarvis | TV series, 1 episode |
1985–99 | Neighbours | Wally Walters / Jock Finch | TV series, 10 episodes |
1995–01 | Blue Heelers | Maxie Stubbs / Chook Fowler / Freddie | TV series, 3 episodes |
1996 | Mercury | Bruce Cartwright | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
1997 | The Wayne Manifesto | Grandpa | TV series, 7 episodes |
1998 | State Coroner | Charles Shaw | TV series, 1 episode |
2000–01 | Something in the Air | Ken | TV series, 4 episodes |
2001 | My Brother Jack | Clarrie | TV miniseries |
2001 | Shock Jock | Bill | TV series, 2 episodes |
2002 | Legacy of the Silver Shadow | Checkers | TV series, 1 episode |
2004 | Fergus McPhail | Harry Patterson | TV series, 26 episodes |
2010 | The Pacific | Elderly man on trolley | TV miniseries, 1 episode |
2012 | Woodley | Priest | TV series. 1 episode |
2012 | Problems | Ron | TV series, 4 episodes |
2017 | Get Krack!n | Pete Stark | TV series, 1 episode |
2022 | More Than This | Nuts | TV series, 1 episode |
Film
Year | Title | Role | Type |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | Prelude to Harvest | Seaman | TV movie |
1965 | Rusty Bugles | Ollie | TV movie |
1965 | The Sweet Sad Story of Elmo and Me | TV movie | |
1968 | The Drifting Avenger (aka Koya no toseinin) | Otto | Feature film |
1969 | It Takes All Kinds | Man at airport | Feature film |
1969 | The Intruders | Boatman (uncredited) | Feature film |
1970 | Ned Kelly | Bracken (uncredited) | Feature film |
1974 | Between Wars | Orderly | Feature film |
1974 | Alvin Rides Again | Bookmaker | Feature film |
1975 | Inn of the Damned | Coach driver | Feature film |
1975 | Plugg | Constable Hector Raymond | Feature film |
1975 | Polly Me Love | TV movie | |
1975 | End Play | TV reporter | Feature film |
1976 | Caddie | Male drinker | Feature film |
1983 | Dusty | Watson | Feature film |
1987 | The Bit Part | Scott | Feature film |
1987 | Slate, Wyn & Me | Wilkinson | Feature film |
1987 | A Matter of Convenience | Repo Man | TV movie |
1988 | A Cry in the Dark (aka Evil Angels) | Mr. Whittaker | Feature film |
1988 | The Four Minute Mile | Vancouver journalist | TV movie |
1990 | The Big Steal | Neighbour | Feature film |
1990 | A Date with Destiny | Grooper | Short film |
1997 | The Alive Tribe | Barfly | Feature film |
1999 | The Craic | RSL Manager | Feature film |
2002 | Dalkeith | Len | Feature film |
2003 | Gusto | Old Man | Short film |
2005 | You and Your Stupid Mate | Stan | Feature film |
2008 | Guy in a Field | Father | Short film |
2006 | Five Moments of Infidelity | David | Feature film |
2007 | The Postman | Short film | |
2009 | Nero's | Short film | |
2009 | Swings and Roundabouts | Roy | Short film |
2010 | Punch Drunk | Joe Sparro | Short film |
2011 | Percy | Percy | Short film |
2011 | The Cup | Vern | Feature film |
2010 | The Pawn | Private Domenic Chaplan | Feature film |
2011 | Cold Showers | The Manager | Short film |
2012 | Animals | Richard Patterson M.P. | Feature film |
2012 | Like It Was Yesterday | Arthur | Short film |
2014 | I Remember the Future | Abe | Short film |
2017 | The Comet Kids | Lucas | Feature film |
2018 | Two Moments in Time | Grandad Thatchette | Short film |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Type |
---|---|---|---|
1962 | What's New? | Phillip Street Theatre, Sydney | |
1962 | A Wish is a Dream | Phillip Street Theatre, Sydney | |
1963–64 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Jenkins | Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide |
1964 | Santa's Christmas Party | Phillip Street Theatre, Sydney | |
1965 | The Diplomatic Baggage | Palace Theatre, Sydney | |
1966 | The Odd Couple | Comedy Theatre, Melbourne | |
1967 | Sweet Charity | 2nd cop / Waiter / Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck / Barney | Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne |
1971 | The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail | Sam Staples | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
1973 | Summer of the Seventeenth Doll | Nimrod Street Theatre | |
1975 | The Enchanted Forest | St James Playhouse, Sydney with PACT Youth Theatre | |
1976; 1980 | Dry Run | Marian Street Theatre, National Theatre, Melbourne | |
1980 | The Comedians | Tikki and John’s Vaudeville, Melbourne | |
1983 | The Student Prince | Lutz | Comedy Theatre, Melbourne |
1985 | On the Blind Side (Golden Oldies - the Play) | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse Canberra | |
1990 | Favourite Son | Comedy Theatre, Melbourne | |
1992 | Petrov: The Musical | Melbourne Concert Hall | |
1998 | Dick Whittington and His Cat | Melbourne Athenaeum | |
1999 | Dimboola | Darkie | Illusions Showroom, Melbourne |
2000 | Call Me Madam | Congressman Wilkins | State Theatre, Melbourne |
2001 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Scrubwomen, Wally Womper | State Theatre, Melbourne |
2001 | The Shrinking Ledge | Chapel Off Chapel | |
2003 | Snap Shots | Gasworks Theatre, Melbourne with The Affordable Theatre Company | |
2004 | Reg Gorman - Hanging on to Vaudeville | Comedian / Self | Melbourne Town Hall for Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
2004 | Hats Off! to Sondheim | National Theatre, Melbourne | |
2005 | McCubbin | BMW Edge, Melbourne with Hydra Productions |
[10]
References
- ^ a b Radio National (18 July 2011). Reg Gorman: Hanging on to Vaudeville (podcast). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ^ a b Robin Oliver (12 March 2004). "Fergus McPhail". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ^ "The Gorman Conquest". The Bulletin. No. 6410–6418. Australian Consolidated Press; J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald. 2004. pp. 15–ff.
- ^ "About the Gormans". Gorman Works. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ^ "Reg Gorman". Nation Review. No. 85–109. 1962.
- ^ Nick Place, Michael Roberts (2006). 50 Years of Television in Australia. Hardie Grant Publishing. p. 124. ISBN 1740663950.
- ^ Gray, Darren (10 August 2021). "Vale Reg Gorman: An Australian showbusiness veteran". www.nfsa.gov.au. National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ Knox, David. "Vale: Reg Gorman". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Vale: Reg Gorman, 'Neighbours' and 'The Sullivans' actor". IF Magazine. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/9659
External links
- Reg Gorman at IMDb