Tony Ward (Australian actor)
Encyclopedia
Tony Ward was an Australian television actor and current affairs reporter. He is regarded as Australian television's original action star, on Hunter
, and was an inaugural reporter on two national current affairs programs, Seven Days and A Current Affair.
and Garnett H. Carroll. He appeared with actors such as Robert Morley
, Emlyn Williams
, John McCallum
, and Googie Withers
.
in Adelaide soon after television began there in 1959. He worked as a producer and director, and also appeared as a newsreader and in advertisements. He became the first television reporter for Channel 7's Seven Days program and then joined Bill Peach on Channel 10's Telescope current affairs program.
In 1966, Crawford Productions
chose him for the title role of Hunter, their new James Bond-style action series. He said of this role: "Hunter was a project which fired my imagination. I had no doubts about giving up a good career in current affairs for an opportunity like this – it was Heaven sent." He starred opposite Gerard Kennedy
who played his arch enemy. The series rated highly and he travelled around Australia and overseas on location, performing many of his own stunts. He left the series after disagreements with Crawfords, particularly over the quality of the later scripts. He said, "The firm has shown initiative, courage and ambition and has made a valiant effort ... But 39 episodes of Hunter this year was far too ambitious. This outstripped the ability of the scriptwriters."
He returned to current affairs, becoming the first reporter on Mike Willessee's A Current Affair program in 1971. He is recognised as the person who discovered Australian comedian and actor Paul Hogan
. Willisee was looking for a comedian to do a weekly commentary on events, and Ward suggested Hogan having seen him on the New Faces television show. Ward auditioned Hogan by interviewing him on Sydney Harbour Bridge
where he worked as a rigger. Ward was the only original reporter still on A Current Affair when it was cancelled in 1978.
Ward appeared in other television series such as Sons and Daughters, Skippy
, The Long Arm and Dynasty. He reported for ABC
's Nationwide and made documentaries for SBS Television, and also appeared in television commercials, including for Ardath cigarettes and car insurance.
, and ran an antique print gallery in Sydney's Woollahra, New South Wales
. He also cultivated prize-winning roses.
Hunter (Australian Crawfords TV series)
Hunter was an Australian espionage adventure television series screened by the Nine Network from 5 July 1967 to 1969. The series was created by Ian Jones and produced by Crawford Productions....
, and was an inaugural reporter on two national current affairs programs, Seven Days and A Current Affair.
Life
Anthony John Ward was born in Sydney, to a public servant father. He was educated at Catholic primary and secondary schools, and then became a trainee radiographer at Lewisham Hospital in 1942.Early career in the theatre
After World War II, he developed an interest in theatre and acted in and directed productions for several Australian and New Zealand companies, including J. C. WilliamsonJ. C. Williamson
James Cassius Williamson was an American actor and later Australia's foremost theatrical manager, founding J. C. Williamson Ltd....
and Garnett H. Carroll. He appeared with actors such as Robert Morley
Robert Morley
Robert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment...
, Emlyn Williams
Emlyn Williams
George Emlyn Williams, CBE , known as Emlyn Williams, was a Welsh dramatist and actor.-Biography:He was born into a Welsh-speaking, working class family in Mostyn, Flintshire....
, John McCallum
John McCallum
John McCallum, PC, MP is a Liberal Canadian politician, economist and university professor. Following the 2006 Federal Election, he became the Liberal Finance Critic in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet...
, and Googie Withers
Googie Withers
Georgette Lizette "Googie" Withers CBE, AO was an English theatre, film and television actress. She was a longtime resident of Australia with her husband, the actor John McCallum, with whom she often appeared.-Biography:...
.
Television career
However, he realised the potential of television and joined Channel 9Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
in Adelaide soon after television began there in 1959. He worked as a producer and director, and also appeared as a newsreader and in advertisements. He became the first television reporter for Channel 7's Seven Days program and then joined Bill Peach on Channel 10's Telescope current affairs program.
In 1966, Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions
Crawford Productions is an Australian television production company founded by Hector Crawford; the present incarnation of the company, Crawfords Australia, is now a subsidiary of the WIN television corporation.-History:...
chose him for the title role of Hunter, their new James Bond-style action series. He said of this role: "Hunter was a project which fired my imagination. I had no doubts about giving up a good career in current affairs for an opportunity like this – it was Heaven sent." He starred opposite Gerard Kennedy
Gerard Kennedy (actor)
Gerard Kennedy is an Australian actor and two-time Gold Logie winner. He played six different characters in guest appearances in Homicide, all in 1966...
who played his arch enemy. The series rated highly and he travelled around Australia and overseas on location, performing many of his own stunts. He left the series after disagreements with Crawfords, particularly over the quality of the later scripts. He said, "The firm has shown initiative, courage and ambition and has made a valiant effort ... But 39 episodes of Hunter this year was far too ambitious. This outstripped the ability of the scriptwriters."
He returned to current affairs, becoming the first reporter on Mike Willessee's A Current Affair program in 1971. He is recognised as the person who discovered Australian comedian and actor Paul Hogan
Paul Hogan
Paul Hogan, AM is an Australian actor best known for his role as Michael "Crocodile" Dundee from the Crocodile Dundee film series, for which he won a Golden Globe award.-Early life and career:...
. Willisee was looking for a comedian to do a weekly commentary on events, and Ward suggested Hogan having seen him on the New Faces television show. Ward auditioned Hogan by interviewing him on Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic...
where he worked as a rigger. Ward was the only original reporter still on A Current Affair when it was cancelled in 1978.
Ward appeared in other television series such as Sons and Daughters, Skippy
Skippy
Skippy may refer to:* Skippy , portrayed the character Asta in a 1934 film, The Thin Man* Skippy * Skippy , in computers* Scipionyx samniticus, dinosaurMusicians* Scott "Skippy" Chapman keyboardist, guitar...
, The Long Arm and Dynasty. He reported for ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's Nationwide and made documentaries for SBS Television, and also appeared in television commercials, including for Ardath cigarettes and car insurance.
Interests
Ward had a number of other interests including cars and trains. He was a member of the Rolls Royce Bentley Owners Club, and he took thousands of feet of film and videos of steam train trips in Australia and overseas. He had a banana plantation in Coffs Harbour, New South WalesCoffs Harbour, New South Wales
-History:By the early 1900s, the Coffs Harbour area had become an important timber production centre. Before the opening of the North Coast Railway Line, the only way to transport large items of heavy but low value, such as timber, was by coastal shipping. This meant sawmillers on the North Coast...
, and ran an antique print gallery in Sydney's Woollahra, New South Wales
Woollahra, New South Wales
Woollahra is a suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woollahra is located 5 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra. The Municipality of Woollahra takes its name from the...
. He also cultivated prize-winning roses.