Sean Scully (actor)

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Sean Scully
Born (1947-09-28) 28 September 1947 (age 77)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Years active1960–2017
Spouse
(m. 1971;div. 1973)
[1]
Mother Margaret Christensen

Sean Scully (born 28 September 1947) is an Australian actor and singer, active in film, television and theatre. [2]

Contents

Early life

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Scully is the son of actress and radio host Margaret Christensen [3] and Vern Scully, a violinist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. [4]

Career

Scully began his acting career in the Cinerama South Seas Adventure , after which he relocated from Australia to London in 1959, at age 11, with his mother. Once in the UK, he initially attended Claremont Fan Court School, a Christian Scientist school in Surrey, followed by a school in Buckingham Gate. He then moved on to attend Arts Educational Schools, in London. [5] Scully was signed to an agent [4] and within the month he landed the lead role in children's series Mill of Secrets in 1960. [6]

He starred in 1960 Children's Film Foundation film Hunted in Holland , [5] which won the Diploma of Honour at the Cannes Film Festival.[ citation needed ] A TV play called The Boy with the Telephone (1960) was written specially for him. [7] Following that, he was signed by Walt Disney Management and starred in a number of Technicolor family feature films for the studio, including The Prince and the Pauper [3] (1962), in which he played both title characters, alongside Guy Williams, as Miles Hendon. Scully starred as Peter in the 1962 Disney movie Almost Angels , [4] (retitled Born to Sing in the UK), and appeared as young John Banks, opposite Patrick McGoohan in Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow (1963). [8]

Scully was cast opposite Spike Milligan and John Woodvine as Jim Hawkins in a production of Treasure Island at the Mermaid Theatre in London. [9] On Broadway, he starred as King Nicholas III in The Girl Who Came to Supper , Noel Coward’s musical version of Terence Rattigan's 1953 play, The Sleeping Prince [4] [7] from 1963 to 1964. [10] winning him a Charlotte Cushman Award. [11]

On his return to the UK in 1964, Scully found it increasingly difficult to land acting work, so he worked in a timber yard, [7] before returning to Australia in 1965, at the age of 18. [3] He appeared in television plays including A Phoenix Too Frequent (1966), Serjeant Musgrave's Dance (1967) and as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (1967), [6] all while playing Ron Wilson in TV soap opera Bellbird for two years. [6] His character was temporarily written out due to his stage commitments, including a production of Forty Carats, [3] in which he played the juvenile lead. He appeared in numerous plays throughout his career, including many for the Melbourne Theatre Company. [2] He toured nationally in Butterflies are Free in 1971, together with Wendy Hughes. [5]

Scully's more substantial television roles include starring as Eddie Corrigan in the 1976 miniseries Power Without Glory , based on the historical novel by Frank Hardy. In 1978, he played the recurring role of Sam Kendall in wartime drama The Sullivans . In 1982, he appeared as wealthy French aristocrat Louis de Bourget in the romantic period drama miniseries Sara Dane . [12] From 1984 to 1985, he played Jim O'Brien in the soap opera Sons and Daughters . [6] and the following year he played Dan Moulton in Prisoner . [5] He starred as Ian Cochrane in crime drama series Phoenix [13] from 1992 to 1993. Throughout 1995, he played the regular role of Neville Loman in short-lived soap opera Echo Point , alongside Rose Byrne and Martin Henderson. [14]

He has had recurring guest roles in Matlock Police , Division 4 , E Street , Medivac , Neighbours , Blue Heelers and Stingers . Other television credits include Homicide , Cop Shop , The Restless Years , [15] The Flying Doctors , A Country Practice , Police Rescue , G.P. , State Coroner and The Doctor Blake Mysteries .

Scully's film credits include A City's Child (1971), [5] Australian New Wave film Sunday Too Far Away (1975) with Jack Thompson, [16] Eliza Fraser (1976), [17] Heaven Tonight (1989) alongside Guy Pearce, [18] Turtle Beach (1992) opposite Greta Scacchi and Shotgun Wedding (1993) with Aden Young. [19] In 1988, he starred in the cult film Phobia , earning him an Australian Film Institute Awards nomination for Best Actor that year. [5]

Scully has also featured in radio, playing Steven Rossiter in long running radio show Blue Hills from 1974. [3]

Personal life

Scully met actress Wendy Hughes when they were touring the stage show Butterflies are Free around Australia. They lived together for two years before getting married in 1971, but were divorced by 1973. Scully cited their young age as the reason. [5] After their divorce, the pair remained friends until Hughes' death from cancer in 2014.

Scully also dated English actress Jane Asher, after having previously appeared with her in The Prince and the Pauper. [5]

Scully was best man at Be Our Guest co-star Jacki Weaver's wedding to series director David Price in Sydney in 1966. [20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1960 Hunted in Holland TimTV play
1962The Prince and the PauperPrince Edward / Tom Canty Feature film [3]
Almost Angels (aka Born to Sing)Peter SchaeferFeature film
1963 The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh John Banks / The CurlewFeature film
1972 A City's Child The ManFeature film
1975 Sunday Too Far Away BeresfordFeature film
1976 Eliza Fraser ElliottFeature film
High Rolling PolicemanFeature film
1986 Cactus DoctorFeature film
Departure BowenFeature film
1988 Phobia David SimmondsFeature film
Kadaicha (aka Stones of Death)Mr FitzgeraldFeature film
1989 Daisy and Simon (aka Where the Outback Ends)SimonFeature film
1990 Heaven Tonight Tim RobbinsFeature film
1992 Turtle Beach (aka The Killing Beach)Businessman #1Feature film
1993 Shotgun Wedding Detective Craig HakerFeature film
1995FrailejónFather's voiceShort film
2007MissiveWalter BoyleShort film
Two Door MansionRobert BrouwerFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1960 Mill of Secrets Claude 'Snow' Nolan6 episodes
Theatre 70 Peter JerrardEpisode: "Boy on the Telephone"
1964 The Sullavan Brothers Alan Brown1 episode
1965 ITV Play of the Week BarnesEpisode: "Goodbye Johnny"
1966 A Phoenix Too Frequent TegeusTV movie (as part of Wednesday Theatre )
Be Our Guest Cousin Sean
1967 Love and War Romeo 2 episodes: "Serjeant Musgrave's Dance", "Romeo and Juliet"
1967–1976 Homicide James Reynolds / Graham Turner / Rod Pearson / Gordon Harvey / John Barrett5 episodes
1968–1971 Bellbird Ron Wilson353 episodes
1969 Riptide Chuck1 episode
1970–1975 Division 4 Charles Simpson / Patrick 'Snatch' O'Donnell / Michael Cowan3 episodes
1972–1975 Matlock Police Richard Creely / Eddie Harris / Barry Reid3 episodes
1973SolomonRev. Mark SolomonTV movie
1974 Three Men of the City Keith LangdonMiniseries, 2 episodes
Silent Number Paul1 episode
1975 They Don’t Clap Losers SandyTV movie
1976 Tandarra SmollyMiniseries, 1 episode
Power Without Glory Eddie CorriganMiniseries, 10 episodes
1977 Trial of Ned Kelly TV movie
1978 Against the Wind John MacarthurMiniseries, 1 episode
The Sullivans Sam Kendall20 episodes
1978–1983 Cop Shop Steve Mercer / Alan Wilson / Wayne Preston / Rip Valenti7 episodes
1979 Chopper Squad Ed1 episode
1980 Water Under the Bridge Pete AtkinsMiniseries, 1 episode
1981 Bellamy DerelictMiniseries, 1 episode
1982 Deadline Army OfficerTV movie
Sara Dane Louis de BourgetMiniseries, 8 episodes
1982; 1987 A Country Practice Cliff Hayden / Ken Harper4 episodes
1983 The Dismissal Doug Anthony Miniseries, 3 episodes
1984 Special Squad Leo Teller / Kevin O'Neil2 episodes
1984–1985 Sons and Daughters Jim O'Brien60 episodes
1986 Prisoner Dan Moulton27 episodes
The Flying Doctors Barry Irving1 episode
Shark’s Paradise Detective Charlie KellyTV movie
1987Black BeautyAnimated TV movie
1988 The Dirtwater Dynasty Depression DoctorMiniseries, 1 episode
Joe Wilson Henry Lawson Miniseries, 1 episode
Takeover EnzoTV movie
1989 E Street Mike Kominski8 episodes
1991 Police Rescue Michael1 episode
1992 G.P. Dr. A1 episode
1992–1993 Phoenix Ian 'Goose' Cochrane26 episodes
1994 Time Trax Albert Logan1 episode
A Country Practice Keith Jacobs1 episode
1995 Fire Dr. David Crown2 episodes
KansasAlan RadfordTV movie
Echo Point Neville Loman130 episodes
1996 Pacific Drive Vince Marshall
1997–1998 Medivac Monsignor Jack Duval3 episodes
1998 State Coroner Father Frank Driscoll1 episode
1998–2000 Blue Heelers Doug Healy4 episodes
2000 Neighbours Bernie Samuels6 episodes
2001 Horace and Tina Mr Reid2 episodes
Something in the Air Paddy2 episodes
Stingers Assistant Commissioner Jim Courtney3 episodes
2003Evil Never DiesSuit #2TV movie
2010C.A.Maffieux #32 episodes
2017 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Lloyd Wellman1 episode

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1961 Treasure Island Jim Hawkins Mermaid Theatre, London [11] [9]
1963–1964 The Girl Who Came to Supper King Nicholas III Broadway, New York [4] [7]
1965 Candida Eugene Marchbanks Birmingham Repertory Theatre & Europe tour [21]
1966 Chips with Everything Independent Theatre, Sydney
1967 The Lion in Winter John Independent Theatre, Sydney [22]
1968The Absence of a CelloPerry Littlewood St Martins Theatre, Melbourne
Twelfth Night University of Melbourne with MTC
Burke's Company King Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
1969 Henry IV, Part 1 Prince John of Lancaster Octagon Theatre, Perth, Keith Murdoch Court, Melbourne with MTC
The Country Wife Mr. Dorilant Russell St Theatre, Melbourne, Canberra Theatre with MTC
A Long View Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
Six Characters in Search of an Author
The Unknown Soldier and His Wife
1970 Forty Carats Peter Latham Melbourne Athenaeum
The Prince and the FirebirdPrince Ivan UNSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney
1971 Butterflies are Free Don BakerAustralian tour with J. C. Williamson's & Harry M. Miller
1972 The Old Familiar Juice Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
Sticks and Bones David
The Tavern
1972–1973 Jugglers Three Graham Russell St Theatre, Melbourne, Playbox Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
Tom Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
1973 Mother Courage Soldier Princess Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
Batman's Beach-Head Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with MTC & J. C. Williamson's
1975 Scapino Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Elizabethan Theatre, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's
The Touch of Silk Independent Theatre, Sydney
1977The Mind with the Dirty ManClayton Stone Metro Theatre, Sydney with CKC Theatres
1979Smiles and PilesActor / singerKirribilli Pub Theatre, Sydney
Makassar ReefWeeks Brown Nimrod St Theatre, Sydney
MarsupialsTom Russell St Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
1980Errol Flynn's Great Big Adventure Book for Boys Errol Flynn Nimrod St Theatre, Sydney with King O'Malley Theatre Company [23]
1984The Mating GameBankstown Town Hall, Sydney
The Odd Couple Speed Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne [24]
1987Down an Alley Filled with CatsQ Theatre, Penrith
1989 Passion Play James Sydney Opera House with Gary Penny Productions
Karamazov Crossroads Theatre, Sydney with Thalia Theatre Company
1990 Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme Kenneth Pyper (young)Crossroads Theatre, Sydney with O'Punksky's
1991 The Norman Conquests Norman Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1992 A Stretch of the Imagination Monk O'NeillPlayhouse, Newcastle with Hunter Valley Theatre Company
1994 The Fire Raisers Crossroads Theatre, Sydney
Falling from GraceDr Hugh StoreyAustralian tour with STC, Playbox Theatre Company & QTC
1996Coralie Lansdowne Says NoPeter Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
2015The ProcessGottlieb Shortstraw / Sly Moribund La Mama, Melbourne, Acton St Theatre, Canberra [25]
2018 The Odyssey: Part Four – The Homecoming Reading MPavilion, Melbourne [26]

[2]

Awards

YearWorkAwardCategoryResult
The Girl Who Came to Supper Charlotte Cushman Award Won [11]
1988 Phobia Australian Film Institute Award Best Actor Nominated [5]

References

  1. "Wendy Hughes: Mainstay of a resurgent Australian film industry". 12 March 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2017 via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sean Scully theatre credits". AusStage .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sean Scully is star material". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia, New South Wales, Sydney. 7 October 1974. p. 19. Retrieved 1 June 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Butterflies are Free". Theatregold.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Actor Sean Scully on his Disney movies, Cult film Phobia (1988) and Noel Coward". Cult Film Alley. 6 November 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Sean Scully: From Disney to Australian TV Plays". FilmInk . 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "For coffee Melbourne is better". The Sydney Morning Herald . Australia, New South Wales, Sydney. 23 August 1970. p. 125. Retrieved 1 June 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  8. Vagg, Stephen (26 November 2024). "The Brief Movie Stardom of Colin (Smiley) Petersen". FilmInk . Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  9. 1 2 "John Woodvine and Sean Scully". Getty Images . 1 June 2015.
  10. "Sean Scully". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 "Absence of a Cello". Theatregold.
  12. "Sara Dane". www.nostalgiacentral.com.
  13. "Phoenix – Top Quality Crims (1991)". www.aso.gov.au.
  14. "Echo Point: characters". Australian Television Information Archive.
  15. "News in brief". The Australian Women's Weekly . 11 June 1980.
  16. "Sunday Too Far Away: 'Don't Cut 'Em to Pieces' - Digital Restoration". Screen Australia .
  17. "Eliza Fraser". Filmnews . 1 December 1976.
  18. "Heaven Tonight". Screen Australia .
  19. "Shotgun Wedding". Screen Australia .
  20. "It Was Love at First Sight". The Australian Women’s Weekly . 9 November 1966.
  21. "Candida". Theatricalia.
  22. "The Lion in Winter". Tharunka . 11 April 1967.
  23. "Theatre Times: Welcome back King O'Malley". The Australian Jewish Times. 18 September 1980.
  24. "The Odd Couple". Theatregold.
  25. "The Process – a new play about asylum-seeker processing". www.rationalist.com.au. 23 August 2015.
  26. "The Odyssey". Australian Arts Review. 26 November 2018.