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]

Reg Gorman
Born(1932-08-02)2 August 1932
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died5 August 2021(2021-08-05) (aged 89)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, vaudevillian
Years active1964-2021
Known forThe Sullivans
Fergus McPhail
Spouse
Judith Roberts
(m. 1964)
Children3
RelativesOlivia Deeble (granddaughter)
WebsiteGorman Works

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

YearTitleRoleType
1961WhiplashGang memberTV series, 1 episode
1964–66Consider Your VerdictReg FraserTV series, 2 episodes
1967ContrabanditsPogo / FredTV series, 2 episodes
1968–69SkippyJim Nelson / Jim PaineTV series, 2 episodes
1969I’ve Married a BachelorSergeant GroganTV series, 1 episode
1969RiptideReg / Wal / CharlieTV series, 3 episodes
1969The RoversPolicemanTV series, 1 episode
1969Woobinda, Animal DoctorTV series, 1 episode
1970–71Mrs. FinneganDarby FinneganTV series, 13 episodes
1971–73SpyforceMurphy / EddieTV series, 2 episodes
1972Barrier ReefGeorgeTV series, 1 episode
1972BoneyBrayTV series, 1 episode
1972Division 4Ted Morris / Fred Jackson / Cliff WoodTV series, 2 episodes
1973Our Man in the CompanyTV technicianTV series, 1 episode
1974RushCraigTV series, 1 episode
1965–76HomicideEric Dowling / Alfred Harrison / Mick Ryan / Fred Dowling / Mick Evans / Howard Wilson / Max SaundersTV series, 8 episodes
1972–76Matlock PoliceJock McKenzie / Fishy Taylor / Murray Slater / Brian Bennett / Paddy / Joe CampbellTV series, 6 episodes
1976The Bluestone BoysBrigsyTV series
1976BlueyNipper ReadTV series, 1 episode
1976Power Without GloryPriestTV miniseries, 1 episode
1976–83The SullivansJack FletcherTV series, 1114 episodes
1981I Can Jump PuddlesArthurTV miniseries, 1 episode
1983Carson's LawSergeant / TateTV series, 2 episodes
1983HomeMaguireTV series, 2 episodes
1983All the Rivers RunExamining SkipperTV series, 2 episodes
1984Special SquadRyanTV series, 1 episode: "Trojan Horses"
1984PrisonerBert GibbsTV series, 4 episodes
1985A Thousand SkiesJoe the FiremanTV series, 1 episode
1985The Henderson KidsKernowTV series, 11 episodes
1986My Brother TomM / O DriverTV miniseries, 1 episode
1986The Fast LaneLouTV series, 1 episode
1986A Country PracticeFishermanTV series, 2 episodes
1986Sword of HonourJackTV miniseries, 1 episode
1987Jackal and HideReg HideTV series
1988SentimentsRepo manTV series, 1 episode
1990The Great Air RaceRace official (Charleville)TV miniseries, 1 episode
1992Boys from the BushJohnnyTV series, 1 episode
1992The New Adventures of Black BeautyRichmondTV series, 1 episode
1992KellyFiremanTV series, 1 episode
1994Snowy River: The McGregor SagaMr FowlerTV series, 6 episodes
1994Law of the LandGary JarvisTV series, 1 episode
1985–99NeighboursWally Walters / Jock FinchTV series, 10 episodes
1995–01Blue HeelersMaxie Stubbs / Chook Fowler / FreddieTV series, 3 episodes
1996MercuryBruce CartwrightTV miniseries, 1 episode
1997The Wayne ManifestoGrandpaTV series, 7 episodes
1998State CoronerCharles ShawTV series, 1 episode
2000–01Something in the AirKenTV series, 4 episodes
2001My Brother JackClarrieTV miniseries
2001Shock JockBillTV series, 2 episodes
2002Legacy of the Silver ShadowCheckersTV series, 1 episode
2004Fergus McPhailHarry PattersonTV series, 26 episodes
2010The PacificElderly man on trolleyTV miniseries, 1 episode
2012WoodleyPriestTV series. 1 episode
2012ProblemsRonTV series, 4 episodes
2017Get Krack!nPete StarkTV series, 1 episode
2022More Than ThisNutsTV series, 1 episode

Film

YearTitleRoleType
1963Prelude to HarvestSeamanTV movie
1965Rusty BuglesOllieTV movie
1965The Sweet Sad Story of Elmo and MeTV movie
1968The Drifting Avenger (aka Koya no toseinin)OttoFeature film
1969It Takes All KindsMan at airportFeature film
1969The IntrudersBoatman (uncredited)Feature film
1970Ned KellyBracken (uncredited)Feature film
1974Between WarsOrderlyFeature film
1974Alvin Rides AgainBookmakerFeature film
1975Inn of the DamnedCoach driverFeature film
1975PluggConstable Hector RaymondFeature film
1975Polly Me LoveTV movie
1975End PlayTV reporterFeature film
1976CaddieMale drinkerFeature film
1983DustyWatsonFeature film
1987The Bit PartScottFeature film
1987Slate, Wyn & MeWilkinsonFeature film
1987A Matter of ConvenienceRepo ManTV movie
1988A Cry in the Dark (aka Evil Angels)Mr. WhittakerFeature film
1988The Four Minute MileVancouver journalistTV movie
1990The Big StealNeighbourFeature film
1990A Date with DestinyGrooperShort film
1997The Alive TribeBarflyFeature film
1999The CraicRSL ManagerFeature film
2002DalkeithLenFeature film
2003GustoOld ManShort film
2005You and Your Stupid MateStanFeature film
2008Guy in a FieldFatherShort film
2006Five Moments of InfidelityDavidFeature film
2007The PostmanShort film
2009Nero'sShort film
2009Swings and RoundaboutsRoyShort film
2010Punch DrunkJoe SparroShort film
2011PercyPercyShort film
2011The CupVernFeature film
2010The PawnPrivate Domenic ChaplanFeature film
2011Cold ShowersThe ManagerShort film
2012AnimalsRichard Patterson M.P.Feature film
2012Like It Was YesterdayArthurShort film
2014I Remember the FutureAbeShort film
2017The Comet KidsLucasFeature film
2018Two Moments in TimeGrandad ThatchetteShort film

Theatre

YearTitleRoleType
1962What's New?Phillip Street Theatre, Sydney
1962A Wish is a DreamPhillip Street Theatre, Sydney
1963–64How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingJenkinsHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide
1964Santa's Christmas PartyPhillip Street Theatre, Sydney
1965The Diplomatic BaggagePalace Theatre, Sydney
1966The Odd CoupleComedy Theatre, Melbourne
1967Sweet Charity2nd cop / Waiter / Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck / BarneyHer Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne
1971The Night Thoreau Spent in JailSam StaplesEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
1973Summer of the Seventeenth DollNimrod Street Theatre
1975The Enchanted ForestSt James Playhouse, Sydney with PACT Youth Theatre
1976; 1980Dry RunMarian Street Theatre, National Theatre, Melbourne
1980The ComediansTikki and John’s Vaudeville, Melbourne
1983The Student PrinceLutzComedy Theatre, Melbourne
1985On the Blind Side (Golden Oldies - the Play)Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse Canberra
1990Favourite SonComedy Theatre, Melbourne
1992Petrov: The MusicalMelbourne Concert Hall
1998Dick Whittington and His CatMelbourne Athenaeum
1999DimboolaDarkieIllusions Showroom, Melbourne
2000Call Me MadamCongressman WilkinsState Theatre, Melbourne
2001How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingScrubwomen, Wally WomperState Theatre, Melbourne
2001The Shrinking LedgeChapel Off Chapel
2003Snap ShotsGasworks Theatre, Melbourne with The Affordable Theatre Company
2004Reg Gorman - Hanging on to VaudevilleComedian / SelfMelbourne Town Hall for Melbourne International Comedy Festival
2004Hats Off! to SondheimNational Theatre, Melbourne
2005McCubbinBMW Edge, Melbourne with Hydra Productions

[10]

References