John Waters (actor)

Last updated

John Waters
The Addams Family Rehearsal (8472720488).jpg
John Waters rehearsing in stage version of The Addams Family as Gomez
Born
John Russell Waters

1948 (age 75–76)
London, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • playwright
  • theatre performer
  • TV presenter
Years active1967−present
Children5

John Waters (born 1948) [1] is an English-born Australian film, theatre and television actor, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and musician. He is the son of Scottish actor Russell Waters. John Waters has been in the industry for over 50 years, and was part of the Australian children's television series Play School for 18 years.

Contents

Career

John Waters (7176133964).jpg

Music

Waters was born in 1948 [2] in London, England. He first faced a live audience as a singer and bass guitar player with 1960s London-based blues band The Riots before travelling to Australia, initially for an extended working holiday and then eventually settling there permanently. [3]

Waters is an accomplished musician, and since 1992 has toured many times with his one-man show Looking Through a Glass Onion. Co-written with friend and musician, Stewart D'Arrietta, the show is a tribute to John Lennon featuring numerous examples of Lennon's music, words and images. In addition to many Australian tours of this show it also played six months in the West End, London. [3] [4] In 2014, it played 120 performances at the Union Square Theatre in Manhattan. [5]

Waters has released a number of CDs including The Story of Pilliga Pete and Clarrie the Cocky (2010), a family story and music CD written and narrated by Waters, Brel (2010) a live album sung in French and a tribute to the Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, the double live album, John Waters Looking Through A Glass Onion (2011) and his debut originals album Cloudland (2011).

Theatre

Waters' first big break was in musicals, playing Claude in a Sydney production of Hair in 1969, then Judas in Godspell and Pontius Pilate in the Australian concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar .

He starred as Dracula in 1978 at the theatre in Quay St, Haymarket.

He was in the original Australian production of They're Playing Our Song , which opened on 23 August 1980 at the Theatre Royal in Sydney. It starred Waters and Jacki Weaver, with Rhonda Burchmore as one of the Inner Voices. An Australian cast recording of the show was later released by Festival Records. [6]

In 1991 he played the narrator role of Lewis Carroll in the Jackson-Mayo production of Mike Batt's The Hunting of the Snark at the Hills Centre, Castle Hill, and the State Theatre in Sydney. He starred alongside Phillip Quast, Jacki Love, Cameron Daddo and Doug Parkinson.

In 2000, Waters appeared in a production of The Sound of Music , in which he played the part of Captain von Trapp, alongside Lisa McCune as Maria.

In 2005, Waters starred in David Williamson's play Influence as shock jock Ziggi Blasko. The play was performed in Sydney during March/April 2005 and in Melbourne in June/July 2005. [7] [8]

In 2008, he played The Narrator in Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show at Star City Casino, Sydney. [9]

In 2006–2007. Waters toured Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand in a critically acclaimed role alongside Brett Tucker in The Woman in Black. [10]

In 2010 he starred in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of The Swimming Club, a play by Australian author Hannie Rayson. [2]

In 2013 Waters starred in The Addams Family musical as Gomez Addams. The production premiered in Sydney on 24 March 2013 and closed on 9 June 2013. [11] [12]

In 2017, Waters played Ulysses in Music Theatre Melbourne's concert production of Paris. [13] He had previously played the role of Agamemnon on the musical's original concept album released in 1990.

In 2024 Waters starred in a new Australian tour of The Woman in Black as Arthur Kipps. [14]

Television

Many Australians still remember Waters best from his nearly 20-year stint on the Australian children's series Play School , appearing from 1972 until 1991. During his tenure with Play School, he narrated various children's video trailers for ABC-TV. [15]

Among his best known television roles is that of the brooding Sergeant Robert McKellar in the 1974–76 television series Rush (revoiced and parodied by The D-Generation as The Olden Days on their comedy program The Late Show ).

Waters also appeared in the 1983 Australian miniseries All the Rivers Run as Brenton Edwards. [2]

In 2002, he had a role in the short-lived drama Young Lions .

He played Perry Luscombe in Fireflies , which lasted for only one season, on ABC-TV in 2004. [16]

Waters joined the cast of All Saints in June 2006 as Mike Vlasek, the new head of surgery. He remained with the show until its cancellation in late 2009.

In 2010, Waters was a guest star in Sea Patrol as Sgt. Booker.

In 2010, Waters guest starred in City Homicide as William Clegg.

In 2012, Waters starred in the ABC TV mini-series The Mystery of a Hansom Cab , adapted from the novel by English writer Fergus Hume. [17] He appeared on the Logie-award-winning television series Offspring , which completed filming its third season in 2013 and was renewed for a further two seasons. [18] [19]

From September 2015, Waters joined the cast of the fourth season of the ABC TV series Rake.

In 2018 Waters had a recurring role, as lawyer Travis James, on the ABC TV Series Mystery Road .

Films

Waters played Capt. Alfred Taylor in the 1980 film Breaker Morant which starred British actor Edward Woodward as Harry "Breaker" Morant.

In 1982, Waters appeared in the World War II film Attack Force Z alongside Mel Gibson, John Phillip Law and Sam Neill. [20]

In 2013, Waters starred in a local regional film production created by Luis Bayonas, called Adios. [21]

In 1990, film critic David Stratton, referring to the films, wrote that in his opinion Waters "has been in more bad films than most other actors around". [22]

Other work

He has starred in many television advertisements for various companies including Cinzano, Bird's Eye, Bankers Trust, MBF Health Fund, Sudafed, Uncle Tobys, Qantas, Telstra, MLC, Arnotts and Toyota Hybrid Camry. He has narrated programs such as Mind Games: Real Life Adventures, Nostradamus and Triple Zero Heroes and All Together Now. [23]

Awards

In 1975, Waters won the George Wallace Memorial Logie for Best New Talent at the Logie Awards for his role in Division 4 .

In 1988, he won the AFI Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role as character Tom Garfield in the Frank Howson-written film Boulevard of Broken Dreams . [24]

He has been nominated for several other awards, including Best Lead Actor (in 1978 for Weekend of Shadows ) and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (in 2006 for All Saints ) at the AFI Awards, and for Most Popular Actor in a Telemovie or Mini-Series (in 1992 for Which Way Home ) at the Logie Awards.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association. They commenced in 1987.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1994 Looking Through a Glass Onion Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album Nominated [25]

Personal life

Waters' first marriage was to actress Jenny Cullen, a union that produced two children. His second marriage was to actress Sally Conabere. His third marriage, to Zoe Burton, was in January 2002, and they became parents first to a son and later twins. Waters lives in the Southern Highlands, NSW, with Burton and their three children. [26]

Community work

Waters lends his support to various community events including DUETS 2012, a concert to assist The Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF) (founded by fellow Play School presenter Don Spencer) and Carols in the Domain 2012. He is an ambassador for The Australian Children's Music Foundation. [27]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976 End Play Mark GiffordFeature film
The Haunting of Hewie Dowker Hewie DowkerTV movie
The Rollicking Adventures of Eliza Fraser David BracefellFeature film
1977 The Getting of Wisdom Rev. ShepherdFeature film
Summerfield David AbbottFeature film
Trial of Ned Kelly Ned Kelly TV movie
1978 Weekend of Shadows RabbitFeature film
Cass MikeTV movie
The Scalp Merchant Cliff RowanTV movie
1979 Demolition Peter ClarkeTV movie
The Prophecies of Nostradamus NarratorDocumentary film
1980 Breaker Morant Capt. Alfred TaylorFeature film
BedfellowsTV movie
Slippery Slide DavidTV movie
1981 Attack Force Z Sub Lt. Ted "Kingo" KongFeature film
1984 High Country Ben LomaxTV movie
1985 I Can't Get Started RobertFeature film
1986Passion FlowerLeslie GaitlandTV movie
1987The Last of the MohicansHawkeye Bumppp (voice)TV movie
Bushfire Moon Patrick O'DayFeature film
The PerfectionistStuart GunnFilm
Going Sane Martin BrownFilm
1988 Captain Johnno FrankTV movie
Boulevard of Broken Dreams Tom GarfieldFeature film
Grievous Bodily Harm Morris MartinFeature film
1990 Heaven Tonight Johnny DysartTV movie
1993 Singapore Sling John StamfordTV movie
1994 Ebbtide Michael SureschFilm
1995Asian Connection: Road to MandalayJohn StamfordTV movie
Asian Connection: Old FlamesJohn StamfordTV movie
Asian Connections: Midnight OrchidJohn StamfordTV movie
1998 The Sugar Factory Sam LejeuneFilm
The Real Macaw Dr. Lance HagenFeature film
1999 Chameleon II: Death Match Henry KubicaTV movie
2003 Evil Never Dies  [ it ]Prof. ArkinTV movie
2005 Stealth Black Ops DoctorFeature film
Late ShiftOld Paul BellShort film
2006The BouncerDaveFeature film
Carnivale RefluxNarratorShort film
2010Centre PlaceJack HoughtonFeature film
2011RagtimeDickShort film
2012 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Mark FrettibyTV movie
2013 Return to Nim's Island BookerFeature film
WormPolice InterviewerShort film
2015Killers and ThievesThe FenceShort film
2016Virtual Dogs and Loaded GunsBank CustomerFeature film
2016The Faintest ClaspVoiceShort film
2017 2:22 BillFeature film
Three SummersEamonFeature film
2020At LastChristopherFeature film
2022BlazeSimon BakerFeature film
2023 The Rooster NorrisFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1972 Boney Const. Peter LloydTV series
Redheap Jerry ArnoldTV series
1972-91 Playschool PresenterTV series
1973 Certain Women TV series
Ryan Curt ValchekTV series
1974 The Box Michael BrooksTV series; regular role
1974–1975 Division 4 Darcy Nash / Barry FieldingTV series; 2 episodes
1975 The Seven Ages of Man TV miniseries, 1 episode
Quality of Mercy TV series, 1 episode
1973–1976 Homicide Eddie Hughes / Howard Nelson / Alan GuthrieTV series; 3 episodes
Matlock Police Tim Ward / Const. Cook / Johno JohnsonTV series; 3 episodes
1974–1976 Rush Sgt. Robert McKellarTV series
1976 The Sullivans Chris MerchantTV series
1978 Case for the Defence Steve GrayTV series
1983 Five Mile Creek CameronTV series
1986 Alice to Nowhere Johnny ParsonTV miniseries
1987 Nancy Wake Henri FioccaTV miniseries
1989 Dearest Enemy TV series (pilot only)
1983–1990 All the Rivers Run Brenton EdwardsTV series
1991 Which Way Home Steve HannahTV miniseries
All Together Now Lockie BurnsTV series
1992 Kelly Mr. NicholsTV series
1996 Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Damien WintersTV series
1997 Good Guys, Bad Guys Oscar DrakeTV series
Fallen Angels Bob TognettiTV series
1999 The Lost World LentoTV miniseries
2000 Tales of the South Seas Robert FryeTV series
2002 Young Lions Senior Det. Bill MartinTV series
2004 Fireflies Perry LuscombeTV series
2006–2009 All Saints Dr. Miklos VlasekTV series
2009 Triple Zero Heroes NarratorTV series
2010 Underbelly John HattonTV series
Sea Patrol Sergeant BookerTV series
City Homicide William CleggTV series
2010–2014 Offspring Darcy ProudmanTV series
2014 ANZAC Girls Col. Thomas FiaschiTV miniseries
2016 Rake Edgar ThompsonTV series
The Doctor Blake Mysteries Bernie ThompsonTV series
2016–2018 Future-Worm! ManchovyTV series
2018 Mystery Road Travis JamesTV miniseries
True Story with Hamish & Andy Dr. JeffTV series, 1 episode
2019 The Commons HermanTV miniseries, 7 episodes
2020 Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Prof. LinnaeusTV series
The End HenryTV series, 9 episodes
The Truth Reverend Philip BrockPodcast series
Halifax: Retribution RyanTV miniseries, 1 episode
2021 Doctor Doctor MichaelTV series, 5 episodes
2022Grey NomadsHenry KeenTV series, 6 episodes
Darby and Joan Ian Kirkhope / Rob DeaconTV series, 6 episodes
Mind Games: Real Life AdventuresNarratorTV

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References

  1. ↑ "John Waters".
  2. 1 2 3 Waters enjoying his "Peter Pan existence". The Age, 25 March 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  3. 1 2 Profile: John Waters. The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 April 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  4. ↑ John Waters : Looking Through A Glass Onion. Beat website. Retrieved 14 April 2013]
  5. ↑ "Broadway dream comes true for John Waters" by Vatherine Lambert, The Sydney Morning Herald , 19 January 2015
  6. ↑ They're Playing Our Song. The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 January 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  7. ↑ Influence. The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 March 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
  8. ↑ Influence. The Age, 27 June 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
  9. ↑ John Waters Cast in Rocky Horror Show. Australian Stage, 22 August 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  10. ↑ Australian tour, 2006-07, at newtheatricals.com
  11. ↑ Sydney musical The Addams Family brings real heart and charm to the stage. The Telegraph, 24 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  12. ↑ End of The Addams Family, cast told. Herald Sun, 13 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013]
  13. ↑ "Paris - A Rock Odyssey with John Waters". 7 July 2017.
  14. ↑ 2024 Australian tour information
  15. ↑ Play Schooling for 45 years. Television.au. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  16. ↑ John Waters talks about his new ABC TV series Fireflies. ABC Queensland. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
  17. ↑ The Mystery of a Hansom Cab. ABC television. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  18. ↑ Offspring Cast. Network Ten. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  19. ↑ Offspring renewed for two more seasons. Network Ten. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  20. ↑ Attack Force Z. Archived 28 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Melbourne Leader, 5 February 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
  21. ↑ Local independent receives early acclaim. Archived 28 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Surf Coast Times, 11 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
  22. ↑ David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 p. 342
  23. ↑ John Waters. Archived 11 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Harbour Agency. Retrieved 14 April 2013]
  24. ↑ Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. Australian Film Institute. Retrieved 12 April 2013]
  25. ↑ ARIA Award previous winners. "History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  26. ↑ "Local Leo Shares the Love". Wingecarribee Today. No. 110. Wingecarribee Shire Council. April 2020.
  27. ↑ Duets – Annual Gala Charity Concert. Get Shot Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2013]
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