Richard Morgan (actor)
Encyclopedia
Richard Morgan was an Australian actor. He was most famous for playing the long-running role of Terry Sullivan in the Australian television series The Sullivans
.
His professional career began when he was cast in guest roles in Crawford Productions
television series Homicide (in 1975) and Solo One
(1976).
After roles in the motion pictures The Devil's Playground and Break of Day (both 1976), Morgan became one of the original cast members of the hit television series The Sullivans
, produced by Crawford Productions.
Following the trials and tribiulations of the Sullivan family in suburban Melbourne during the World War II years, Morgan played Terry Sullivan, the third and youngest Sullivan son. A scampish schoolboy at the beginning of the series, as he matured he harboured dreams of joining the air force, however inner-ear problems prevented this and he instead joined the army. He later married Caroline (played by actress Geneviève Picot), however the war took a greater psychological toll on Terry than his brothers, and he struggled both with his marriage and his readjustment to civilian life. Terry was indirectly responsible for the death of his father Dave at the conclusion of the series.
Although the show contained soap-staple storylines, the war backdrop allowed for more serious moments than normally seen in traditional Aussie soaps. It screened on Australian television from 1976 to 1983.
After the series ended, other motion picture roles followed, including the hit Phar Lap
(1983) about the racehorse of the same name
, and in Innocent Prey and Silver City
(both 1984) and Outback Vampires opposite Brett Climo
in 1987.
After this came a role in the Sydney-based television series Sons and Daughters
in 1984, and guest roles in drama series like A Country Practice
(1987), Home and Away
(1989) and female cop drama Skirts
(1990).
During this period he also acted in television movies and miniseries including D.H. Lawrence's The Boy in the Bush
(1984 miniseries starring Kenneth Branagh
and Sigrid Thornton
); Great Expectations: The Untold Story (1986 telemovie directed by Tim Burstall) and The Charmer
(1987 miniseries starring Nigel Havers).
He featured as 'Stretch' Lewis in the 1989 US picture Farewell to the King
directed by John Milius, starring alongside Nick Nolte
, James Fox
and Nigel Havers
.
in 2000, Blue Heelers
in 2000, Something in the Air in 2000, and the ABC-TV series MDA
in 2002.
He gained a new generation of fans when he joined the cast of the popular Nine Network
undercover cop series Stingers
where he played the recurring role of Reg 'The Ferret' Masters from 1999-2004.
and was given just eighteen months to live.
Eighteen months later, on 23 December 2006, he died from MND.
He was survived by his wife Lisa and daughters Ella and Zoe.
The Sullivans
The 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...
.
Early career
After watching a film crew shooting a scene from a television series in his street - and observing the average performance of a child actor similar to his own age - Morgan decided that "he could do better than that" and got himself an acting agent and started going for auditions.His professional career began when he was cast in guest roles in Crawford Productions
Crawford 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:...
television series Homicide (in 1975) and Solo One
Solo One
Solo One is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network and screened in 1976. There were 13 half hour episodes....
(1976).
After roles in the motion pictures The Devil's Playground and Break of Day (both 1976), Morgan became one of the original cast members of the hit television series The Sullivans
The Sullivans
The 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...
, produced by Crawford Productions.
Following the trials and tribiulations of the Sullivan family in suburban Melbourne during the World War II years, Morgan played Terry Sullivan, the third and youngest Sullivan son. A scampish schoolboy at the beginning of the series, as he matured he harboured dreams of joining the air force, however inner-ear problems prevented this and he instead joined the army. He later married Caroline (played by actress Geneviève Picot), however the war took a greater psychological toll on Terry than his brothers, and he struggled both with his marriage and his readjustment to civilian life. Terry was indirectly responsible for the death of his father Dave at the conclusion of the series.
Although the show contained soap-staple storylines, the war backdrop allowed for more serious moments than normally seen in traditional Aussie soaps. It screened on Australian television from 1976 to 1983.
After the series ended, other motion picture roles followed, including the hit Phar Lap
Phar Lap (film)
Phar Lap is a 1983 film about the Australian racehorse Phar Lap. The film starred Tom Burlinson and was written by famous Australian playwright David Williamson.-Plot:...
(1983) about the racehorse of the same name
Phar Lap
Phar Lap was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Foaled in New Zealand, he was trained and raced in Australia. Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne...
, and in Innocent Prey and Silver City
Silver City (1984 film)
Silver City is a 1984 Australian film about post-war Polish immigration to Australia, following World War II. "Silver City" is the nickname of the immigration hostel in Australia.-Cast:* Gosia Dobrowolska as "Nina"* Ivar Kants as "Julian"...
(both 1984) and Outback Vampires opposite Brett Climo
Brett Climo
Brett Climo is an Australian actor.His television credits include: Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, The Man from Snowy River, Pacific Drive, Murder Call, Water Rats, Blue Heelers, Stingers, All Saints and The Elephant Princess.-External links:...
in 1987.
After this came a role in the Sydney-based television series Sons and Daughters
Sons and Daughters (Australian TV series)
Sons and Daughters was a Logie Award winning Australian soap opera created by Reg Watson and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation between 1981 and 1987. The first episode aired in December 1981, during the Christmas/New Year non-ratings period, and the official broadcast date of the final...
in 1984, and guest roles in drama series like A Country Practice
A Country Practice
A Country Practice is an Australian television drama series. One of the longest-running of its kind, produced by James Davern of JNP Productions, it ran on the Seven Network for 1,058 episodes from 18 November 1981 to 22 November 1993. It was produced in ATN-7's production facility at Epping,...
(1987), Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
(1989) and female cop drama Skirts
Skirts (TV series)
Skirts was an Australian television police drama broadcast on the Seven Network in 1990. Skirts was produced by Roger Le Mesurier and Roger Simpson. It was directed by Brendan Maher, Richard Sarell and Ian Gilmour....
(1990).
During this period he also acted in television movies and miniseries including D.H. Lawrence's The Boy in the Bush
The Boy in the Bush
The Boy in the Bush is a novel by D. H. Lawrence set in Western Australia, first published in 1924. It derives from a story in a manuscript given to Lawrence by Mollie Skinner, entitled The House of Ellis...
(1984 miniseries starring Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from Northern Ireland. He is best known for directing and starring in several film adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays including Henry V , Much Ado About Nothing , Hamlet Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from...
and Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton is an Australian multi-award winning actress.-Early years:Thornton was born in Canberra, the daughter of Merle, a teacher of women's studies and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic. She spent most of her formative years growing up and attending school at St. Peter's Lutheran...
); Great Expectations: The Untold Story (1986 telemovie directed by Tim Burstall) and The Charmer
The Charmer
The Charmer is the second studio album by American jam band Family Groove Company released on April 25, 2006. It was recorded at Studio Chicago in Chicago, Illinois in December 2005...
(1987 miniseries starring Nigel Havers).
He featured as 'Stretch' Lewis in the 1989 US picture Farewell to the King
Farewell to the King
Farewell to the King is a 1989 film written and directed by John Milius. It stars Nigel Havers, Frank McRae, Gerry Lopez and Nick Nolte, and is based on the 1969 novel L'Adieu au Roi by Pierre Schoendoerffer. Longtime Milius collaborator Basil Poledouris composed the musical score...
directed by John Milius, starring alongside Nick Nolte
Nick Nolte
Nicholas King "Nick" Nolte is an American actor whose career has spanned over five decades, peaking in the 1990s when his commercial success made him one of the most popular celebrities of that decade.-Early life:...
, James Fox
James Fox
James Fox, OBE is an English actor.-Early life:James Fox was born in London, England to theatrical agent Robin Fox and actress Angela Worthington. He is the brother of actor Edward Fox and film producer Robert Fox. The actress Emilia Fox is his niece and the actor Laurence Fox is his son. His...
and Nigel Havers
Nigel Havers
Nigel Allan Havers is an English actor. He is probably best known for his BAFTA-nominated role as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire, and for his role as Dr. Tom Latimer in the British TV comedy series Don't Wait Up...
.
Later life
After a break of a number of years - when he got heavily involved in the booming computer business - he returned to acting with guest roles in Australian television series such as NeighboursNeighbours
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...
in 2000, 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 :...
in 2000, Something in the Air in 2000, and the ABC-TV series MDA
MDA (TV series)
MDA is an Australian television series that aired between 2002 and 2005 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . It concerned the day-to-day operation of legal firm MDA, which specialised in medical defence.-Synopsis:...
in 2002.
He gained a new generation of fans when he joined the cast of the popular Nine Network
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...
undercover cop series Stingers
Stingers
Stingers was an Australian police drama television series. It ran for eight seasons on the Nine Network before it was canceled in late 2004 due to declining ratings and the late timeslot Channel Nine gave the program...
where he played the recurring role of Reg 'The Ferret' Masters from 1999-2004.
Motor Neurone Disease
In 2005 he was diagnosed with motor neurone diseaseMotor neurone disease
The motor neurone diseases are a group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. They are generally progressive in nature, and can cause...
and was given just eighteen months to live.
Eighteen months later, on 23 December 2006, he died from MND.
He was survived by his wife Lisa and daughters Ella and Zoe.