Gus Mercurio
Encyclopedia
Augustino Eugenio "Gus" Mercurio (10 August 1928 – 7 December 2010) was an American-born Australian character actor who appeared on both film and television.
. He had two sisters, Gerie and Connie, and a brother, Tony. His parents were divorced when he was seven.
He visited Australia during 1956 Melbourne Olympics and decided to stay.
and was a qualified chiropractor.
Mercurio was also an international boxing judge (refereeing a world title fight) and was also a well-known boxing promoter. He later became the inaugural president of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame
- into which he was inducted in 2008.
.
He also worked as a commentator for Channel 7's World of Sport
, as well as acting as the movie host for Channel 10's Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio.
Mercurio appeared in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company
(1975), its follow-up Tandarra
(1976) and the miniseries Power Without Glory (1976). Additionally, he played many guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide (1964), Division 4
(1969) and Matlock Police
(1971). His film appearances include The Blue Lagoon
(1980), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Turkey Shoot
(1982), "Crocodile" Dundee II (1988), Return to the Blue Lagoon
(1991) and Doing Time for Patsy Cline
(1997).
, the star of the film Strictly Ballroom
(1992).
.He was 82 years old.
Early life
Mercurio, the eldest child of Vincent A. Mercurio and Cecilia W. "Mickey" Miller, was born in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. He had two sisters, Gerie and Connie, and a brother, Tony. His parents were divorced when he was seven.
He visited Australia during 1956 Melbourne Olympics and decided to stay.
Boxer
His father had boxed professionally under the name of Vince McGurk, and one of his uncles had boxed professionally under the name of Ray Miller. Mercurio himself was a professional boxer, had served in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and was a qualified chiropractor.
Mercurio was also an international boxing judge (refereeing a world title fight) and was also a well-known boxing promoter. He later became the inaugural president of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame
Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame
Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 and began inducting boxers into the Hall of Fame in 2003. Since then annual induction dinners have been held....
- into which he was inducted in 2008.
Radio, TV and film
Having successfully auditioned for consideration to be included in the cast of an ABC radio play, and selected at his first audition, his raspy voice, energetic personality and natural talents quickly came to the attention of Australian television production houses such as Crawford ProductionsCrawford 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:...
.
He also worked as a commentator for Channel 7's World of Sport
World of Sport (Australian TV series)
World of Sport was an Australian sports program that was broadcast live by HSV 7 in Melbourne from 1959 to 1987 on Sundays between 11am and 2pm...
, as well as acting as the movie host for Channel 10's Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio.
Mercurio appeared in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company
Cash and Company
Cash and Company was an Australian television period adventure series, set during the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s. The original series consisted of 13 one hour episodes, filmed in colour and on location in rural Victoria....
(1975), its follow-up Tandarra
Tandarra
Tandarra was the follow-up Australian television series to Cash and Company , set during the Victorian gold rush period of the 1850s...
(1976) and the miniseries Power Without Glory (1976). Additionally, he played many guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide (1964), Division 4
Division 4
Division 4 was an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the Nine Network between 1969 and 1975 for 300 episodes....
(1969) and Matlock Police
Matlock Police
Matlock Police was an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network between 1971 and 1975....
(1971). His film appearances include The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)
The Blue Lagoon is a 1980 American romance and adventure film directed by Randal Kleiser. The screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart was based on the novel The Blue Lagoon by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. The film stars Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins...
(1980), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Turkey Shoot
Turkey Shoot (film)
Turkey Shoot is a 1982 Australian dystopian futurist exploitation film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith notable for its extreme violence and sadistic prison sequences...
(1982), "Crocodile" Dundee II (1988), Return to the Blue Lagoon
Return to the Blue Lagoon
Return to the Blue Lagoon is a 1991 American romance and adventure film starring Milla Jovovich and Brian Krause, produced and directed by William A. Graham. The screenplay by Leslie Stevens was based on the novel The Garden of God by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. The original music score was composed...
(1991) and Doing Time for Patsy Cline
Doing Time for Patsy Cline
Doing Time for Patsy Cline is a 1997 Australian multi-award-winning film starring Miranda Otto, Richard Roxburgh, and Matt Day and directed by Chris Kennedy.-Plot:...
(1997).
Family
Mercurio was the father of six children, including dancer/actor Paul MercurioPaul Mercurio
Paul Joseph Mercurio is an Australian actor, dancer and TV presenter. Mercurio is well-known for his lead role in Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom . His father was the character actor Gus Mercurio.- Biography :...
, the star of the film Strictly Ballroom
Strictly Ballroom
Strictly Ballroom is a 1992 Australian romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann and produced by M&A Productions. The film is the first installment in The Red Curtain Trilogy, Luhrmann's trilogy of theatre-motif-related films; the follow-ups were Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!...
(1992).
Death
He died on 7 December 2010 from complications during surgery for a chest aneurismAneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
.He was 82 years old.
Selected filmography
- Alvin Purple Rides AgainAlvin Purple Rides AgainAlvin Purple Rides Again is a 1974 Australian sex-comedy film sequel to Alvin Purple. It was directed by David Bilcock and Robin Copping. It was rated M unlike its predecessor which was rated R. Alvin Rides Again still features a lot of full frontal nudity.-Plot:The irresistible Alvin Purple...
(1974) - Cash and CompanyCash and CompanyCash and Company was an Australian television period adventure series, set during the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s. The original series consisted of 13 one hour episodes, filmed in colour and on location in rural Victoria....
TV series (1975) - Eliza FraserEliza Fraser (film)Eliza Fraser is a 1976 Australian bawdy adventure drama film, directed by Tim Burstall and starring Susannah York, Trevor Howard, Noel Ferrier and John Castle. The screenplay was written by David Williamson....
(1976) - The SullivansThe SullivansThe Sullivans is an Australian drama television series produced by Crawford Productions which ran from 1976 until 1983. The series told the story of an average middle-classMelbourne family and the effect World War II had on their lives...
TV series (1976–1983) - Power Without GloryPower Without GloryPower Without Glory is a 1950 novel written by Australian writer Frank Hardy. It was later adapted into a mini-series by the Australian Broadcasting Commission .- Publication :...
TV series (1976) - TandarraTandarraTandarra was the follow-up Australian television series to Cash and Company , set during the Victorian gold rush period of the 1850s...
TV series (1976) - The Blue LagoonThe Blue Lagoon (1980 film)The Blue Lagoon is a 1980 American romance and adventure film directed by Randal Kleiser. The screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart was based on the novel The Blue Lagoon by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. The film stars Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins...
(1980) - HarlequinHarlequin (film)Harlequin, known as Dark Forces in the USA, is a 1980 Australian film starring Robert Powell, Carmen Duncan, David Hemmings and Broderick Crawford...
(1980) - Turkey ShootTurkey Shoot (film)Turkey Shoot is a 1982 Australian dystopian futurist exploitation film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith notable for its extreme violence and sadistic prison sequences...
(1982) - The Man from Snowy River (1982)
- Five Mile CreekFive Mile CreekFive Mile Creek is an Australian western series. The series starred Liz Burch, Louise Caire Clark, Rod Mullinar, Jay Kerr, Michael Caton, Peter Carroll, Gus Mercurio, Martin Lewis, Priscilla Weems and a young Nicole Kidman...
TV series (1983) - All the Rivers RunAll the Rivers RunAll The Rivers Run is an Australian television miniseries from 1983 and 1989, starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters. The miniseries is based on the Australian historical novel by Nancy Cato, first published in 1958. The film is marketed with the tagline A sweeping saga of one woman's struggle...
TV series (1983) - The Return of Captain InvincibleThe Return Of Captain InvincibleThe Return of Captain Invincible is a 1983 Australian musical comedy and superhero film starring Alan Arkin and Christopher Lee.-Plot:The plot involves the Captain America/Superman inspired super-hero called "Captain Invincible" who is active during World War II and afterwards...
(1983) - The Challenge TV series (1986)
- "Crocodile" Dundee II (1988)
- The Great Air Race (1990) (TV)
- Return to the Blue LagoonReturn to the Blue LagoonReturn to the Blue Lagoon is a 1991 American romance and adventure film starring Milla Jovovich and Brian Krause, produced and directed by William A. Graham. The screenplay by Leslie Stevens was based on the novel The Garden of God by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. The original music score was composed...
(1991) - Lightning JackLightning JackLightning Jack is a 1994 western film written by and starring Paul Hogan, as well as Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beverly D'Angelo.-Plot:Paul Hogan plays Lightning Jack Kane, an Australian outlaw who is continuously annoyed at not being recognised as an outlaw, partially due to his lackluster and...
(1994) - Flipper TV seriesFlipper (1995 TV series)Flipper, is an American revival television series of the original 1964 Flipper television series. The first two seasons aired in first-run syndication; seasons 3 and 4 aired on the PAX network....
(1996) - Doing Time for Patsy ClineDoing Time for Patsy ClineDoing Time for Patsy Cline is a 1997 Australian multi-award-winning film starring Miranda Otto, Richard Roxburgh, and Matt Day and directed by Chris Kennedy.-Plot:...
(1997)
Works
- Mercurio, G., Boxin' : all you wanted to know but didn't want to fight to ask, Regus, (Kew), 1998. ISBN 0646352415
- Mercurio, G., Hang in There: Inspirational Gems to Empower You!, Wilkinson Books, (Melbourne), 1994. ISBN 1863501681
External links
- Gus Mercurio biography at Aussie Box
- Photo Gallery: Farewell Gus Mercurio
- New Colonial Epic, Sydney Morning Herald TV Guide, Monday, 2 February, 1976.
- Carman, G. & Upham, P., "Thinking man's boxer and more", The Age, 9 December 2010.
- Humphries, R. "Inside Sport: Gus Mercurio", Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday, 25 February 1976, p.25.
- Paxinos, S., "A Contest in Black and White", The Age, 18 May 2008.
- Paxinos, S., "One out of the box", The Age, 12 July 2005.
- Quinn, K., "Farewell to a man who made mistakes … and amends", The Age, 21 December 2010.
- Stark, J., "Boxing history hits the canvas", The Age,29 September 2005.
- Silvers, A.R., "Wisconsin's Mercurio was a famous actor in Australia", The Journal Sentinel, 11 December 2010.
- Webb, C., "Celebrating dinky-di Americans", The Age, 7 June 2005.