Martin Sacks
Encyclopedia
Martin Colin Sacks is an award-winning Australian actor, chiefly known for his 12-year role on Blue Heelers
from 1993–2005.
when it was filming in the Pacific. His first role came about in the series The Restless Years
in the late 1970s, which started him on the television circuit in Australia. He emigrated to Hollywood in the 1980s, guest starring in series such as thirtysomething, but preferred Australia, and so he returned there after a few years. Also had guest appearances in: Love in Limbo, Encounters, Irresistible Force, Fields of Fire III, All the Way, Touch the Sun: Princess Kate
, Slate, Wyn & Me, Tricheuse, La, Emoh Ruo, Stock Squad and The City's Edge.
Against his first instinct, Sacks took the role of Detective P.J. Hasham in the 1993 series Blue Heelers
. The show rocketed him to fame, most notably his 7-year "will-they-or-won't-they" relationship with Constable Maggie Doyle
(Lisa McCune
) which ended with her death in the programme's seventh season.
During the time he starred on the show, Sacks married Kate and had two children, Jack and Ned and had leading roles in two major Australian miniseries
: Do or Die
and My Husband My Killer (both 2001).
After playing P.J. for twelve years, and being one of only three original cast still on the show in the twelfth season, Sacks left Blue Heelers to spend time with his growing family. His last episode aired on 10 August 2005. Sacks expressly asked the producers not to kill his character, so that he could return for a guest spot in the future. He did not get the chance, however: the show was cancelled in early 2006.
Sacks is also a director, having directed episodes of Blue Heelers, All Saints
and a short film called Crushed.
Sacks also starred in the 2008 Australian TV hit, Underbelly
, portraying underworld
loanshark Mario Condello
. In 2010, Sacks guest starred in three different shows – City Homicide
, Rescue: Special Ops
and Sea patrol
. He was nominated for the 'Most Popular Actor' award in 1996, before winning the same award for five-consecutive years (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001).
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 :...
from 1993–2005.
Career
Sacks first got into acting after a bit part in an episode of The Love BoatThe Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
when it was filming in the Pacific. His first role came about in the series The Restless Years
The Restless Years
The Restless Years is an Australian soap opera which followed the lives of several Sydney school-leavers and young adults. It was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for Network Ten. It debuted December 1977 and ran until late 1981. It was not renewed by the network due to declining ratings...
in the late 1970s, which started him on the television circuit in Australia. He emigrated to Hollywood in the 1980s, guest starring in series such as thirtysomething, but preferred Australia, and so he returned there after a few years. Also had guest appearances in: Love in Limbo, Encounters, Irresistible Force, Fields of Fire III, All the Way, Touch the Sun: Princess Kate
Touch the Sun (Australian TV series)
Touch the Sun was a television series commissioned by the Australian Children's Television Foundation in 1988 as part of the Australian Bicentenary celebrations. It may have been intended that seven feature-length episodes were produced, one for each State, plus the Northern Territory, but only six...
, Slate, Wyn & Me, Tricheuse, La, Emoh Ruo, Stock Squad and The City's Edge.
Against his first instinct, Sacks took the role of Detective P.J. Hasham in the 1993 series 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 :...
. The show rocketed him to fame, most notably his 7-year "will-they-or-won't-they" relationship with Constable Maggie Doyle
Margaret 'Maggie' Doyle
Maggie Doyle is a fictional character portrayed by Lisa McCune in the long-running Australian police show Blue Heelers. She first appeared in 1994, and exited in 2000....
(Lisa McCune
Lisa McCune
Lisa McCune , is a four-time Gold Logie Award winning Australian actress, best known for her role as Senior Constable Maggie Doyle in Blue Heelers, and as Lt...
) which ended with her death in the programme's seventh season.
During the time he starred on the show, Sacks married Kate and had two children, Jack and Ned and had leading roles in two major Australian miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
: Do or Die
Do or Die
Do or Die is an American rap trio originally from Chicago, Illinois, consisting of group members Belo Zero, N.A.R.D. and AK-47. The trio has sold more than 3 million albums. The group experienced mainstream success with the gold single "Po Pimp", Produced by The Legendary Traxster off of their...
and My Husband My Killer (both 2001).
After playing P.J. for twelve years, and being one of only three original cast still on the show in the twelfth season, Sacks left Blue Heelers to spend time with his growing family. His last episode aired on 10 August 2005. Sacks expressly asked the producers not to kill his character, so that he could return for a guest spot in the future. He did not get the chance, however: the show was cancelled in early 2006.
Sacks is also a director, having directed episodes of Blue Heelers, All Saints
All Saints (TV series)
All Saints is an Australian medical drama which first screened on the Seven Network. The series debuted on 24 February 1998 and concluded its run on 27 October 2009...
and a short film called Crushed.
Sacks also starred in the 2008 Australian TV hit, Underbelly
Underbelly (TV series)
Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,...
, portraying underworld
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
loanshark Mario Condello
Mario Condello
Mario Condello was an Italian-Australian organized crime figure. Condello, once a lawyer, was a member of the Carlton Crew, who is believed to have been a money launderer for Melbourne's Calabrian mafia...
. In 2010, Sacks guest starred in three different shows – City Homicide
City Homicide
City Homicide was an Australian television drama series that aired on the Seven Network between 27 August 2007 – 30 March 2011. The series was set on the Homicide floor of a metropolitan police headquarters in Melbourne...
, Rescue: Special Ops
Rescue: Special Ops
Rescue: Special Ops is an Australian television drama series that first screened on the Nine Network in 2009. Filmed in and around Sydney, the program is produced by Southern Star Entertainment with the assistance of Screen Australia and the New South Wales Government.This drama series focuses on a...
and Sea patrol
Sea Patrol
Sea Patrol may refer to:*Sea Patrol, an Australian television series from 2007-2011**Sea Patrol **Sea Patrol , known as Sea Patrol II: The Coup**Sea Patrol , known as Sea Patrol: Red Gold...
Awards
Martin Sacks has won several Logie Awards in his acting career, mainly for his role in Blue HeelersBlue 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 :...
. He was nominated for the 'Most Popular Actor' award in 1996, before winning the same award for five-consecutive years (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001).