Anthony Wager
Encyclopedia
Anthony A. Wager was a former English
child actor
best known for his role as the young "Pip" in David Lean
's 1946 film of Great Expectations
.
Wager studied at Christ’s College, one of the top educational establishments in the area in which he lived.
When finished, the film was given a Royal screening, in the presence of the-then Princess Elizabeth.
In the late 1940s, Wager would have tea with a young Michael Caine.
During a time when Britain wasn’t a place for young actors - such as Wager - he spent a lot of time out of work. However, around that time, Hollywood was more young actor friendly, and Wager was approached by studios in Hollywood. However, due to his father’s control, he was not able to take them up on their offer.
As Wager spent time in the West End, he lived with Brian Desmond Hurst
- who was associated with the production in which Wager was also involved - to eliminate travel between the West End and Wager’s home, as the means of transport in that area were not particularly good.
In the late 1960s, Wager moved to Sydney, Australia. In this time, he suffered a heart attack and, due to the weather, Wager made the move to Perth. Wager, out of work, had several jobs to keep money in his pocket. During this time, he wrote scripts for movies, sketches, and would also draft out top comedians verbiage before they went on stage. Wager was credited with having very ‘sharp wit’. During his time spent in Australia, Wager would work mainly television shows and would often be spotted making cameo appearances.
Wager was a gambler - as had been his grandmother.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
child actor
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
best known for his role as the young "Pip" in David Lean
David Lean
Sir David Lean CBE was an English film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor best remembered for big-screen epics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai , Lawrence of Arabia ,...
's 1946 film of Great Expectations
Great Expectations (1946 film)
Great Expectations is a 1946 British film which won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three others...
.
Early life
Anthony grew up in Mill Hill - in the Borough of Hendon. Wager’s father was a London Plumber, though Wager himself wasn’t well skilled in that area. Wager and his sister grew up during the War period, and were often looked after by neighbours. It could be said that Anthony and his sister were inseparable and were by one another’s side wherever they went.Wager studied at Christ’s College, one of the top educational establishments in the area in which he lived.
Career
It would be Wager’s step-mother who found the audition call for the role of ’Pip’ in the film Great Expectations. Wager went along to the audition whilst studying at Christ’s College, and was later cast in the role of Pip, alongside John Mills.When finished, the film was given a Royal screening, in the presence of the-then Princess Elizabeth.
In the late 1940s, Wager would have tea with a young Michael Caine.
During a time when Britain wasn’t a place for young actors - such as Wager - he spent a lot of time out of work. However, around that time, Hollywood was more young actor friendly, and Wager was approached by studios in Hollywood. However, due to his father’s control, he was not able to take them up on their offer.
As Wager spent time in the West End, he lived with Brian Desmond Hurst
Brian Desmond Hurst
thumb|right|200px|Portrait by [[Allan Warren]]Brian Desmond Hurst was a Belfast-born film director. Responsible for over 30 movies as director, Hurst was Ireland's most prolific movie director during the 20th century.-Early life:Hurst was born Hans Hurst in Ribble Street, East Belfast"". into a...
- who was associated with the production in which Wager was also involved - to eliminate travel between the West End and Wager’s home, as the means of transport in that area were not particularly good.
In the late 1960s, Wager moved to Sydney, Australia. In this time, he suffered a heart attack and, due to the weather, Wager made the move to Perth. Wager, out of work, had several jobs to keep money in his pocket. During this time, he wrote scripts for movies, sketches, and would also draft out top comedians verbiage before they went on stage. Wager was credited with having very ‘sharp wit’. During his time spent in Australia, Wager would work mainly television shows and would often be spotted making cameo appearances.
Wager was a gambler - as had been his grandmother.
Death
On 23 December 1990, Wager died. By this time, he had moved to Bali, again for health reasons. Wager was given a Balinese Funeral, considered a very high honour, and his ashes were scattered at a lake. Wager's sister is still alive.Information Authenticity
This information has been supplied to Wikipedia by Matt Saye, Tony's great nephew, who collaborated with Wager's sister to get the facts. Because of this, it can be guaranteed that the information here is 100% accurate and correct.External links
- A Tribute to Anthony Wager by Wager's great nephew and sister