John Wood (Australian actor)
Encyclopedia
John Wood is a Gold Logie Award
-winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon
in the Seven Network
's long running police drama Blue Heelers
.
, an Australian television series. He then appeared in several Australian drama series and mini-series in minor roles. John also wrote eleven episodes of the series Prisoner
. It wasn't until 1987 that John Wood became a well-known actor, taking the lead in Rafferty's Rules
, as magistrate Michael Rafferty. Wood twice won a Logie for "Most Outstanding Actor" for his role in the show during its four seasons.
In 1994 Wood landed a leading role in Blue Heelers
as Tom Croydon. This show became a big hit in Australia. As well as starring in the show, he also wrote several episodes. The show was finally cancelled in 2006, and Wood is one of only two actors (the other being Julie Nihill
) to star in Blue Heelers from its beginning in 1994 to its end in 2006, although Wood is the only character to be seen in every single episode. Wood also wrote three episodes for the series.
Wood was a contestant in the 2004 edition of the Australian Dancing with the Stars
. In 2007, Wood appeared on Channel Ten's tele-movie, Joanne Lees - Murder in the Outback, where he played barrister Grant Algie. He currently hosts Channel Nine
's travel series Wine Me, Dine Me.
In 2009, Wood has appeared in the drama The Cut
on ABC1
, in the historical dramatised documentary Rogue Nation, also on ABC1
, and in Channel Nine
's drama-series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
playing Murray Farquhar
.
In 2010, Wood had a recurring role in Offspring
. In June 2011, it was announced that Wood had joined the cast of Neighbours
for a six month guest role as Martin Chambers. He made his first on screen appearance in September.
He will appear in Strange Bedfellows The New Musical in 2011.
Notable roles include The Club, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
, ART, Born Yesterday
, The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin
, Chess
(the musical), Love Letters
, Blood Relations (1987), The Real Inspector Hound
’’, Strange Bedfellow The Musical and Stephen Sewell's
It Just Stopped (2006).
Logie Awards over the years, and has also been nominated for several.
In 1988 and 1989, Wood received the TV Week
Logie Award
for 'Most Outstanding Actor' for his work on Rafferty's Rules
. In 2006, he was nominated in the same catergory for his role in Blue Heelers
.
Wood was nominated for the Gold Logie
for most popular personality on Australian television every year from 1997
to 2007
. After nine consecutive Gold Logie
nominations without a win, he was awarded the prize in 2006.
Wood has won the 'Most Popular Actor' award twice (in 2005 and 2006) and been nominated another seven consecutive times (1997–2003) for his role in Blue Heelers.
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television
The Gold Logie Award has been awarded annually to the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the TV Week Logie Awards since 1960...
-winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon
Tom Croydon
Thomas Arthur Croydon is a fictional character in the long running Australian television police drama Blue Heelers. He is one of two characters to appear in all thirteen seasons, 1994 to 2006, and is an original character...
in the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's long running police drama Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
.
TV career
Wood began his acting career in 1967, where he had a guest role in BellbirdBellbird (TV series)
Bellbird was an Australian soap opera set in a small Victorian rural township. The series was produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation at its Ripponlea TV studios in Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria. The series was produced between 28 August 1967 and December 1977...
, an Australian television series. He then appeared in several Australian drama series and mini-series in minor roles. John also wrote eleven episodes of the series Prisoner
Prisoner (TV series)
Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera which was set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison. The series was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and ran on Network Ten for 692 episodes from 27 February 1979 to 11 December 1986.The series was inspired by the 1970s...
. It wasn't until 1987 that John Wood became a well-known actor, taking the lead in Rafferty's Rules
Rafferty's Rules
Rafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network.The producers of the series were Posie Graeme-Evans , and Denis Phelen. The directors were Graham Thorburn, Mike Smith and Russell Webb...
, as magistrate Michael Rafferty. Wood twice won a Logie for "Most Outstanding Actor" for his role in the show during its four seasons.
In 1994 Wood landed a leading role in Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
as Tom Croydon. This show became a big hit in Australia. As well as starring in the show, he also wrote several episodes. The show was finally cancelled in 2006, and Wood is one of only two actors (the other being Julie Nihill
Julie Nihill
Julie Nihill is an Australian actress.-Biography:After early roles in 1980s soap operas such as The Young Doctors, Prisoner and Sons and Daughters and the miniseries Bodyline .Nihill was cast in the role for which she became a household face: as bartender and local councilor Chris...
) to star in Blue Heelers from its beginning in 1994 to its end in 2006, although Wood is the only character to be seen in every single episode. Wood also wrote three episodes for the series.
Wood was a contestant in the 2004 edition of the Australian Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a Logie Award-winning, Australian light entertainment reality show airing on the Seven Network and filmed live from the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne...
. In 2007, Wood appeared on Channel Ten's tele-movie, Joanne Lees - Murder in the Outback, where he played barrister Grant Algie. He currently hosts Channel Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
's travel series Wine Me, Dine Me.
In 2009, Wood has appeared in the drama The Cut
The Cut (Australian TV series)
The Cut , written by John Misto, is an Australian drama television series which screened in 2009 on ABC1. The series contains six one-hour episodes and stars John Wood.The show was first announced in February 2008 and was filmed in June/July 2008....
on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
, in the historical dramatised documentary Rogue Nation, also on ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
, and in Channel Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
's drama-series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is a 13-part Australian television mini-series loosely based on real events that stemmed from the marijuana trade centred around the New South Wales town of Griffith. The timeline of the series is the years between 1976 and 1987. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities...
playing Murray Farquhar
Murray Farquhar
Murray Farquhar OBE was the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate of New South Wales between 1971 and 1977. Farquhar was born in the mining city of Broken Hill, New South Wales in Far West New South Wales. He attended Broken Hill High School and served in the Australian Army in the Second World War...
.
In 2010, Wood had a recurring role in Offspring
Offspring (TV series)
Offspring is an Australian television comedy-drama series which premiered on Network Ten in Australia on 15 August 2010. Offspring is centred around 30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman and her family, as they navigate the chaos of modern life...
. In June 2011, it was announced that Wood had joined the cast of Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
for a six month guest role as Martin Chambers. He made his first on screen appearance in September.
Notable television roles
- Rafferty's RulesRafferty's RulesRafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network.The producers of the series were Posie Graeme-Evans , and Denis Phelen. The directors were Graham Thorburn, Mike Smith and Russell Webb...
(1987–1990) as Michael Rafferty - Blue HeelersBlue HeelersBlue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
(1994–2006) as Tom Croydon - Dancing with the StarsDancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)Dancing with the Stars is a Logie Award-winning, Australian light entertainment reality show airing on the Seven Network and filmed live from the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne...
(2004) as contestant - The Einstein FactorThe Einstein FactorThe Einstein Factor is an Australian television quiz show that was broadcast on ABC1. The show's host is comedian and broadcaster Peter Berner. It was first broadcast in 2004 and in 2009 the show commenced its sixth and final season, with the ABC announcing the program would not be renewed in 2010....
(2006 – present) as brains trust (panelist) - Joanne Lees - Murder in the Outback (2007) as Grant Algie
- The CutThe Cut (Australian TV series)The Cut , written by John Misto, is an Australian drama television series which screened in 2009 on ABC1. The series contains six one-hour episodes and stars John Wood.The show was first announced in February 2008 and was filmed in June/July 2008....
(2009) as Bill Telford - Underbelly: A Tale of Two CitiesUnderbelly: A Tale of Two CitiesUnderbelly: A Tale of Two Cities is a 13-part Australian television mini-series loosely based on real events that stemmed from the marijuana trade centred around the New South Wales town of Griffith. The timeline of the series is the years between 1976 and 1987. Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities...
(2009) as Murray FarquharMurray FarquharMurray Farquhar OBE was the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate of New South Wales between 1971 and 1977. Farquhar was born in the mining city of Broken Hill, New South Wales in Far West New South Wales. He attended Broken Hill High School and served in the Australian Army in the Second World War... - Rogue Nation (2009) as Governor Bligh
- OffspringOffspring (TV series)Offspring is an Australian television comedy-drama series which premiered on Network Ten in Australia on 15 August 2010. Offspring is centred around 30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman and her family, as they navigate the chaos of modern life...
(2010) as Gareth
Theatre
Wood is also an experienced stage actor.He will appear in Strange Bedfellows The New Musical in 2011.
Notable roles include The Club, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name....
, ART, Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday is a play written by Garson Kanin which premiered on Broadway in 1946, starring Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted intoa successful 1950 film of the same name.- Plot :...
, The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin
The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin
The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin is a "one-hander" play by Australian playwright, author and singer Steve J. Spears . It premiered at the Nimrod Theatre in Sydney, Australia in 1976, and has been cited as a high point of the career of highly respected Australian actor Gordon Chater.-The play:A...
, Chess
Chess (musical)
Chess is a musical with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story involves a romantic triangle between two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other;...
(the musical), Love Letters
Love Letters (play)
Love Letters is a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A. R. Gurney. The play centers on just two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III...
, Blood Relations (1987), The Real Inspector Hound
The Real Inspector Hound
The Real Inspector Hound is a short, one-act play by Tom Stoppard. The plot follows two theatre critics named Moon and Birdboot who are watching a ludicrous setup of a country house murder mystery, in the style of a whodunit...
’’, Strange Bedfellow The Musical and Stephen Sewell's
Stephen Sewell (writer)
Stephen John Sewell is a highly acclaimed playwright, novelist and screenwriter who has produced some of Australia's most awarded plays and whose work has been widely performed both nationally and internationally....
It Just Stopped (2006).
Awards
John Wood has won several TV WeekTV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
Logie Awards over the years, and has also been nominated for several.
In 1988 and 1989, Wood received the TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
Logie Award
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
for 'Most Outstanding Actor' for his work on Rafferty's Rules
Rafferty's Rules
Rafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network.The producers of the series were Posie Graeme-Evans , and Denis Phelen. The directors were Graham Thorburn, Mike Smith and Russell Webb...
. In 2006, he was nominated in the same catergory for his role in Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
.
Wood was nominated for the Gold Logie
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
for most popular personality on Australian television every year from 1997
1997 in television
The year 1997 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1997.- Events :-Debuts:-Miniseries:*Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, a reunion of the 1979–93 series*The Last Don...
to 2007
2007 in television
2007 in television may refer to:*2007 in American television*2007 in Australian television*2007 in British television*2007 in Canadian television*2007 in Japanese television...
. After nine consecutive Gold Logie
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
nominations without a win, he was awarded the prize in 2006.
Wood has won the 'Most Popular Actor' award twice (in 2005 and 2006) and been nominated another seven consecutive times (1997–2003) for his role in Blue Heelers.
External links
- John Wood–Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...