Peter Whitford

Last updated

Peter Whitford
Born1939 (age 8586)
Adelaide, Australia
Education National Institute of Dramatic Art (1963)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • playwright
  • director
  • singer
Years active1950s–2010
Known for The Henderson Kids (1985)
Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Peter Whitford (born 1939) is an Australian former radio, theatre, television and film character actor known for numerous roles particularly as wealthy businessmen and members of the aristocracy.

Contents

Early life

Peter Whitford was born in Adelaide, South Australia. He studied at Sydney's NIDA, graduating in 1963 with Diploma of Dramatic Art (Acting). [1]

Career

Whitford is an actor, playwright, director and singer, who started his career in radio roles and then in theatre, beginning in 1958. [2] From the 1960s he then began appearing in film and television roles, which he continued up until 2010. When he graduated from NIDA in 1963, Whitford performed in ABC Radio play, King of Hearts. He then played Jack Porter in the long-running radio serial Blue Hills . [3]

Whitford's theatre credits are numerous. His early stage roles were in university theatre at NIDA, in plays such as Julius Caesar , Hamlet , The Crucible , Waiting for Godot and The Cherry Orchard . He went on to act in productions for Northside Theatre Company, STC, MTC, Queensland Theatre Company, Old Tote Theatre Company and Belvoir Street. He also ventured into musical theatre with singing roles as the Governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas , Moonface Martin in Anything Goes as and Sir John in Me and My Girl .

Whitford had main roles in television beginning with Peter Prentice in sitcom I've Married A Bachelor in 1968, followed by Guy Sutton in soap opera Number 96 in 1976. Otherwise he mostly took on guest roles in his early television career, in series including Contrabandits , The Link Men , The Rovers , Homicide , Ryan , Division 4 , The Restless Years , Chopper Squad , Skyways , Prisoner , Cop Shop , Kingswood Country , A Country Practice and Mother and Son .

Whitford had a recurring role in Carson's Law in 1983, and appeared in the 1984 Test cricket miniseries Bodyline opposite Hugo Weaving and Gary Sweet. He then played the regular role of ruthless businessman Ashley Wheeler in 1985 children's series, The Henderson Kids , also starring Kylie Minogue, Ben Mendelsohn and Nadine Garner.

During this time, Whitford also appeared in several films, including 1979 period drama My Brilliant Career starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill, 1983 biopic Phar Lap about the famed racing horse and 1986 Ozploitation film Dead End Drive-In .

Whitford then starred in 1990 miniseries Come in Spinner , as Mr Sharlton. He played a recurring role on Home and Away as Doctor Worthington from 1994 to 1995. He then had a main role as Johnno Johnstone in comedy series Bullpitt! from 1997 to 1998. He had guest roles throughout the late 1980s and 1990s in series such as Rafferty's Rules , The Flying Doctors , G.P. , Police Rescue , E Street , Blue Heelers .

Whitford starred as dancing official Les Kendall in Baz Luhrmann’s first film, the 1992 dance extravaganza Strictly Ballroom . Other film roles of that time included Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (1995) opposite Geoffrey Rush and Noah Taylor, and Oscar and Lucinda (1997) alongside Cate Blanchett and Ralph Fiennes. He played the stage manager in another one of Baz Luhrmann’s films, the 2001 musical Moulin Rouge! alongside Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. That same year he had a part in comedy film The Man Who Sued God , opposite Judy Davis and Billy Connolly. The following year he appeared in legal drama Black and White alongside Robert Carlyle, Charles Dance, Colin Friels and Ben Mendelsohn.

Television guest roles in the 2000s included Farscape , All Saints and Rake , the latter of which, in 2010, was his last appearance.

Whitford has also recorded audiobooks for the Vision Australia Information and Library Service, Louis Braille and the Royal Blind Society. [4]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977 The Tichborne Affair CubittTV movie
1978 Cass FrankTV movie
1979 My Brilliant Career Uncle Julius
1983 Phar Lap Bert Wolfe
1983 Careful, He Might Hear You George
1983 With Prejudice Bodor
1984 Who Killed Hannah Jane? James GannonTV movie
1986 Dead End Drive-In Thompson
1987 Running from the Guns Terry
1988 Warm Nights on a Slow Moving Train Steward
1988 Computer Ghosts Uncle Oscar
1992 Strictly Ballroom Les Kendall
1992 The Time Game Mr GreenTV movie
1993The Burning Piano: A Portrait of Patrick WhiteSelf
1995 Dad and Dave: On Our Selection Mr Todd
1997 Oscar and Lucinda Mr Ahearn
1999 Passion Tour Manager
1999 The Three Stooges Dell Henderson (Administrator)TV movie
2001 Moulin Rouge! Stage Manager
2001 The Man Who Sued God Moderator
2002 Black and White Justice Windeyer
2006 Unfolding Florence: The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst VoiceDocudrama
2008 Fool’s Gold Judge

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
196666 and All ThatSelf / Various
1967 Australian Playhouse Anthology series, 1 episode
1967–1968 Contrabandits Doorman / Waiter / Bingo2 episodes
1968–1969 I've Married A Bachelor Peter Prentice14 episodes
1968–1973 Homicide Ward / Johnny Tate2 episodes
1970 The Link Men Seaman1 episode
1970 The Rovers Rogers1 episode
1970 Mrs. Finnegan Clarrie Mooresfield1 episode
1970–1975 Division 4 Brian Doherty / Neil Henderson / Peter Johnson3 episodes
1971 The Godfathers Dusty Rhodes1 episode
1973 Ryan Billy Maxwell1 episode
1975The Company MenMiniseries, 1 episode
1976 Number 96 Guy Sutton40 episodes
1977 The Restless Years Maurice Brown
1978 Chopper Squad Poof1 episode
1978 Case for the Defence Institution Director1 episode
1979 Skyways Nigel Forsythe1 episode
1980 Home Sweet Home Mike FurnontMiniseries, 1 episode
1980 Water Under the Bridge T.C. ShallicottMiniseries, 3 episodes
1980; 1984 Kingswood Country Hayden De Witt / Bill the Salesman3 episodes
1981 Prisoner Det Sgt Gordon1 episode
1981 Cop Shop Father Daniel Monahan2 episodes
1982; 1984 A Country Practice Roger McLean / Alwyn Watson8 episodes
1983–1984 Carson's Law Don Randall / Inspector Hudson10 episodes
1984 Five Mile Creek Mr Anderson1 episode
1984 Sweet and Sour Audition Director1 episode
1984 The Last Bastion H. V. Evatt Miniseries, 3 episodes
1984 Bodyline RobertsonMiniseries, 2 episodes
1985 Mother and Son Minister1 episode
1985 Butterfly Island Fred6 episodes
1985 Winners Mr Donaldson1 episode
1985 Special Squad StanEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
1985 The Henderson Kids Ashley Wheeler22 episodes
1986 Prime Time Charles Garrett1 episode
1987 Flight into Hell Miniseries
1987; 1989 Rafferty's Rules William Walker / Harmon2 episodes
1988 Australians Mr CrosbyMiniseries, episode 6: "Lola Montez"
1989; 1994–1995 Home and Away Mick O’Reilly / Doctor Worthington12 episodes
1990 The Flying Doctors Robert Bell1 episode
1990 Come In Spinner Mr SharltonMiniseries, 4 episodes
1990 G.P. James/Jane Kennedy1 episode
1992 Police Rescue RussellSeason 2, episode 6: "Stakeout"
1993 Under the Skin 1 episode
1993 E Street Dr John Halliday1 episode
1993 Blood Brothers TV movie series
1997 Blue Heelers Bernie Lochren1 episode
1997–1998 Bullpitt! John Cazaley 'Johnno' Johnstone26 episodes
1998 Children's Hospital Surgical Specialist1 episode
1999; 2009 All Saints Walter Elliott / Russell Woods2 episodes
2001 Escape of the Artful Dodger Father O’Brien1 episode
2002 Backberner Henry Tinkwhistle1 episode
2002 Farscape Jabula, Clan Chieftain1 episode
2010 Rake Judge Keddie1 episode

Radio

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963King of Hearts ABC Radio play [5]
Blue Hills Jack Porter ABC Radio serial
1970sA Place in the Sun 4BU Radio serial [6]
1985 The Club Ted ABC Radio play [7]

Stage

As actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
1958An Evening of One Act Plays: Double Demon / Repeat Performance / Two Gentlemen of Soho University of Adelaide
1958 Androcles and the Lion / The Happy Journey Union Hall, Adelaide
1959; 1962 Julius Caesar Union Hall, Adelaide
1961 Journey’s End Willard Hall, Adelaide
1961 Hamlet HoratioWoodville High School Hall, Adelaide with Shakespearean Drama Group
1961A Resounding TinkleWillard Hall, Adelaide with Theatres Associated
1962 The Crucible Ezekiel CheeverCell Block Theatre, Sydney
1962The Drunken SistersApollo UNSW, Sydney
1962 The Power of Darkness UNSW with NIDA
1962 Waiting for Godot Pozzo UNSW
1963 The Cherry Orchard UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1963 The Fire Raisers UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1963 The Playboy of the Western World UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1963 Hamlet UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1963 The Ballad of Angel's Alley Bill Fiddler UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney, Harry Jensen Number Four Club, Sydney
1965The Representative UNSW, Sydney
1965The KnackColin Phillip Theatre, Sydney
1965My Life with an Interval for Asprin Independent Theatre, Sydney
1966A Refined Look at ExistenceJack Champion Jane St Theatre, Sydney
1966 Halloran's Little Boat Jane St Theatre, Sydney
1967 The Imaginary Invalid UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1967 The School for Scandal UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1968The Runaway SteamboatQuickly-QuicklyAustralia Hall, Adelaide
1969 Trouble in the Works AMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre
1969The Conversion of the Anglo-SaxonsAMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre
1969Mrs Porter and the AngelEdgar PACT Youth Theatre
1969The Rise and Fall of Boronia Avenue Jane St Theatre, Sydney with NIDA
1969Visitor from Hollywood Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson's
1970 The Trial of the Catonsville Nine Pitt Street Congregational Church, Sydney with Stable Productions
1971ERF: A Theatrical Cartoon The Hole in the Wall Theatre, Perth, Playhouse, Canberra, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1972 The Ghost Train Killara Community Theatre, Sydney
1973 Butley Independent Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra with Old Tote Theatre Company
1973Convict CakewalkAMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre
1973By CandlelightSydney
1974The Cradle of Hercules Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company
1974 That Championship Season UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's
1975 Kennedy's Children Playhouse Adelaide, St Martins Theatre, Melbourne with MTC & South Australian Theatre Company
1976Saturday Sunday Monday Independent Theatre, Sydney
1976 The Season at Sarsaparilla Clive Pogson Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company
1977 The Magistrate Wyke Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company
1977 The Alchemist Pertinax Surly UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1977 The Three Sisters Andrey Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company
1977 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Hysterium Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1978 The Cat and the Canary Harry Blythe UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1978Just Between OurselvesDennis UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1978 Catch Me If You Can Inspector Levine Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1979 Hedda Gabler George Tesman SGIO Theatre, Brisbane with QTC
1980Rum for your Money Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1980 Cyrano de Bergerac Ragueneau Sydney Opera House with STC
1980; 1981 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas CJ Scruggs / Governor / Voiceovers Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's
1981Eyes of the WhitesTom Lashwood Nimrod St Theatre, Sydney
1982A Map of the World Opera Theatre, Adelaide with STC
1987 The Country Wife Sydney Opera House with STC
1987; 1988 See How They Run Northside Theatre, Sydney, Marian St Theatre, Sydney
1988 Ghosts Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney
1988Why Me? Marian St Theatre, Sydney
1988 A Small Family Business Northside Theatre, Sydney
1989 When We Are Married Northside Theatre, Sydney
1989; 1990 Anything Goes Moonface MartinAustralia & NZ tour with Victoria State Opera
1992 Dial M For Murder Playhouse, Adelaide
1992Prin Marian St Theatre, Sydney
1992Vassa NIDA Parade Studio, Sydney
1993 The Perfectionist Marian St Theatre, Sydney
1993Keeping Mum! Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1993 A Bedfull of Foreigners West End Rialto, Brisbane, Seymour Centre, Sydney, Playhouse, Adelaide with Les Currie Productions
1993 Me and My Girl Sir John TremayneAustralia & NZ tour
1996; 1997The John Wayne PrincipleJohn Hoiquist Wharf Theatre, Sydney, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne with STC
2000 The Marriage of Figaro Sydney Opera House

As director

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969Mrs Porter and the AngelMusical Director PACT Youth Theatre
1971ERF: A Theatrical CartoonDirector The Hole in the Wall Theatre, Perth, Playhouse, Canberra, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1979The Murder RoomDirector Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1979The ChairmanDirector Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1980A Resounding TinkleDirectorAMP Theatrette, Sydney with The Australian Repertory Company
1981 Trap for a Lonely Man Director Bondi Pavilion, Sydney with Players Theatre Company
1981Me 'n' Me MateDirectorNSW regional tour with Arts Council of Australia
1991 Sailor Beware! Director Marian St Theatre, Sydney

[8]

Sources

References

  1. Sydney Morning Herald, 21 November 1971
  2. "Peter Whitford". AusStage.
  3. Mag NSW
  4. "Peter Whitford". AustLit.
  5. "Be Like The Bluebird". Stages with Peter Eyers podcast. 13 April 2023.
  6. "Australian Radio Series (1930s–1970s)" (PDF). National Film & Sound Archive. 15 January 2013.
  7. "David Williamson – The Club". Discogs.
  8. "Peter Whitford". AusStage.