TONY BONNER ~ 'SURVIVOR'
Article by David Chittick
Despite receiving star billing in countless television and film productions, not to mention a host of guest appearances over the years, it is for the role of flight ranger Jerry King that Tony Bonner is best remembered. There aren't many Australian actors, whose success has come mainly via the medium of television, who've achieved the same kind of recognition on a global level.
Although his parents were both talented performers (his father played baritone leads in many musicals, and his mother was a fine soprano concert singer), neither encouraged him to pursue a career in the arts. After all, it was and is a difficult arena where steady employment is never guaranteed.
"I was always aware of my father's background with the theatrical company, JC Williamsons," he says, "and artistes like Robert Helpmann, The Kellaway Brothers, Don Nicholls and Lance Fairfax would visit, so I had a taste." But in the end, the choice to immerse himself in the acting world was a decision he made for himself.
"I worked as a dresser for a JC Williamsons musical, took singing and dance classes - then when I thought I was ready, I started to audition, made my first show - The Sentimental Bloke and away I went."
At age twenty two he made a brief appearance in the cinematic film that was to confirm his chartered course. The producers of They're A Weird Mob (1966) were from JC Williamsons' theatre. They were all aware of him by then, having already appeared in several of their shows. An energetic performance as a lifeguard in the film was significant enough that the same producers were inspired to cast him in a recurring role for what was to be the company's first attempt at a television series.
Bonner jumped at the chance to play Jerry King. He was eager to have the opportunity to work as an actor on colour film, as everything else at that time was being produced in black and white.
"To work on film on a daily basis was the great plus for me," he says, "but I also enjoyed the camraderie of cast, crew and guest actors, sensational locational filming and the opportunity to fly in the chopper."
Despite the show's success both here and abroad, which he says was "a surprise to all concerned," not to mention the recognition the role brought him, Tony tried to remain the same down to earth young man he'd always been. "I didn't change the manner of where I went or what I did. In other words, I didn't let the show or the character's success change me, which had its pluses and problems."
The negative side of fame meant that people sometimes didn't treat him with the same kind of friendliness and respect he offered them. There was also a growing dependence on alcohol built on insecurity as well as a desire to 'find himself' and discover what life was all about.
By the time the second series of Skippy was in production, Bonner was growing restless. He asked for a pay rise, which was rejected, and desired a small piece of the overseas sales and residuals. This too fell on deaf ears. When he found that certain verbal agreements weren't honoured he decided to quit the show, and a third series went into production without him. Strangely, it was never explained what happened to his character. Even stranger was the fact that his image was still used in the opening credits for future series three DVD releases.
While his co-stars continued in their roles, the pin-up boy, whose face had graced the covers of many a TV Week, was working overseas in both American and British productions. There were several appearances with legendary actor Tony Curtis in both film and television, notably The Persuaders. In 1971 there was a major role in a now cult classic flick set in prehistoric times, Creatures The World Forgot.
Upon returning to Australian shores in 1973 he found no shortage in television and theatrical work. There were several episodes of The Evil Touch and Homicide; recurring roles in The Box, Power Without Glory and Skyways; and significant parts in big screen successes like Inn of the Damned(1975) and The Mango Tree(1977).
Despite these mediums taking on various interesting shapes and forms during the sixties and seventies, there were restrictions, with a tendency to stick to certain formats. "There were no real independant producers," Bonner says, "so either one of the commercial television stations had too much say in productions, thus nullifying a lot of possible creative injection into local product. Play it safe was the mantra..we needed an HBO or the like then, where there is a greater desire for reality in script and performance."
The 1980's saw Bonner star in many local productions of prestige and critical acclaim. Among them, Carson's Law, The Man From Snowy River, The Last Frontier, ANZACS and The Lighthorsemen. Throughout this phase of his career his demons continued to haunt him, and by the late 1980's he'd booked himself into a Melbourne rehabilitation clinic following years of what was alcohol and sometimes drug-related abuse. He emerged from the clinic sober and has never looked back. In retrospect he reveals that his way of overcoming these problems was a time of growing up. "Addictions require us to stay in a child-like world where we feel safe," he says now, "Some take the step into adulthood naturally. If your past is somewhat dark, then that step can be difficult."
Tony Bonner is a survivor. He is a man who has nothing to hide, and speaks openly and honestly. He has been president of the Manly Lifesaving Club in Sydney and is still a member there, putting in a lot of time and effort. He carries on the tradition of his grandfather who was once the Mayor of Manly and a founding member of the lifesaving club.
In between, Tony has recently directed a theatrical version of the motion picture classic One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and busily teaches acting/stagecraft to budding young thespians. He is also a tireless volunteer and supporter of several charities including the Smith Family, Wesley Mission, and Bravehearts. He is a past president and current ambassador of The Variety Club and during the late seventies was even president of The Television Society (home of the old Penguin Awards).
Acting roles continue to come Bonner's way. He has three features awaiting distribution: Punishment, Inseparable Coil and The Legend of Billy Sing, the latter tracing the life of one of Australia's most distinguished soldiers/snipers of the Gallipoli campaign. In early 2010, Tony will be filming two projects, The Killer's List and Lucky Valentine. He shows no sign of slowing down.
In a 2006 interview the actor said that the only real mark we leave on the world relates to family. He is the proud father of three lovely daughters and a grandfather of two, and yet, like Tony Bonner, our legacy is more complex than that. With the goodness he has shown to others over the years - which may not have come to fruition had he not been in the spotlight and gone through his own unique personal difficulties - he has positively affected people's lives in various ways that he may never fully comprehend.
Copyrighted 2011 -D.Chittick
Article by David Chittick
Despite receiving star billing in countless television and film productions, not to mention a host of guest appearances over the years, it is for the role of flight ranger Jerry King that Tony Bonner is best remembered. There aren't many Australian actors, whose success has come mainly via the medium of television, who've achieved the same kind of recognition on a global level.
Although his parents were both talented performers (his father played baritone leads in many musicals, and his mother was a fine soprano concert singer), neither encouraged him to pursue a career in the arts. After all, it was and is a difficult arena where steady employment is never guaranteed.
"I was always aware of my father's background with the theatrical company, JC Williamsons," he says, "and artistes like Robert Helpmann, The Kellaway Brothers, Don Nicholls and Lance Fairfax would visit, so I had a taste." But in the end, the choice to immerse himself in the acting world was a decision he made for himself.
"I worked as a dresser for a JC Williamsons musical, took singing and dance classes - then when I thought I was ready, I started to audition, made my first show - The Sentimental Bloke and away I went."
At age twenty two he made a brief appearance in the cinematic film that was to confirm his chartered course. The producers of They're A Weird Mob (1966) were from JC Williamsons' theatre. They were all aware of him by then, having already appeared in several of their shows. An energetic performance as a lifeguard in the film was significant enough that the same producers were inspired to cast him in a recurring role for what was to be the company's first attempt at a television series.
Bonner jumped at the chance to play Jerry King. He was eager to have the opportunity to work as an actor on colour film, as everything else at that time was being produced in black and white.
"To work on film on a daily basis was the great plus for me," he says, "but I also enjoyed the camraderie of cast, crew and guest actors, sensational locational filming and the opportunity to fly in the chopper."
Despite the show's success both here and abroad, which he says was "a surprise to all concerned," not to mention the recognition the role brought him, Tony tried to remain the same down to earth young man he'd always been. "I didn't change the manner of where I went or what I did. In other words, I didn't let the show or the character's success change me, which had its pluses and problems."
The negative side of fame meant that people sometimes didn't treat him with the same kind of friendliness and respect he offered them. There was also a growing dependence on alcohol built on insecurity as well as a desire to 'find himself' and discover what life was all about.
By the time the second series of Skippy was in production, Bonner was growing restless. He asked for a pay rise, which was rejected, and desired a small piece of the overseas sales and residuals. This too fell on deaf ears. When he found that certain verbal agreements weren't honoured he decided to quit the show, and a third series went into production without him. Strangely, it was never explained what happened to his character. Even stranger was the fact that his image was still used in the opening credits for future series three DVD releases.
While his co-stars continued in their roles, the pin-up boy, whose face had graced the covers of many a TV Week, was working overseas in both American and British productions. There were several appearances with legendary actor Tony Curtis in both film and television, notably The Persuaders. In 1971 there was a major role in a now cult classic flick set in prehistoric times, Creatures The World Forgot.
Upon returning to Australian shores in 1973 he found no shortage in television and theatrical work. There were several episodes of The Evil Touch and Homicide; recurring roles in The Box, Power Without Glory and Skyways; and significant parts in big screen successes like Inn of the Damned(1975) and The Mango Tree(1977).
Despite these mediums taking on various interesting shapes and forms during the sixties and seventies, there were restrictions, with a tendency to stick to certain formats. "There were no real independant producers," Bonner says, "so either one of the commercial television stations had too much say in productions, thus nullifying a lot of possible creative injection into local product. Play it safe was the mantra..we needed an HBO or the like then, where there is a greater desire for reality in script and performance."
The 1980's saw Bonner star in many local productions of prestige and critical acclaim. Among them, Carson's Law, The Man From Snowy River, The Last Frontier, ANZACS and The Lighthorsemen. Throughout this phase of his career his demons continued to haunt him, and by the late 1980's he'd booked himself into a Melbourne rehabilitation clinic following years of what was alcohol and sometimes drug-related abuse. He emerged from the clinic sober and has never looked back. In retrospect he reveals that his way of overcoming these problems was a time of growing up. "Addictions require us to stay in a child-like world where we feel safe," he says now, "Some take the step into adulthood naturally. If your past is somewhat dark, then that step can be difficult."
Tony Bonner is a survivor. He is a man who has nothing to hide, and speaks openly and honestly. He has been president of the Manly Lifesaving Club in Sydney and is still a member there, putting in a lot of time and effort. He carries on the tradition of his grandfather who was once the Mayor of Manly and a founding member of the lifesaving club.
In between, Tony has recently directed a theatrical version of the motion picture classic One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and busily teaches acting/stagecraft to budding young thespians. He is also a tireless volunteer and supporter of several charities including the Smith Family, Wesley Mission, and Bravehearts. He is a past president and current ambassador of The Variety Club and during the late seventies was even president of The Television Society (home of the old Penguin Awards).
Acting roles continue to come Bonner's way. He has three features awaiting distribution: Punishment, Inseparable Coil and The Legend of Billy Sing, the latter tracing the life of one of Australia's most distinguished soldiers/snipers of the Gallipoli campaign. In early 2010, Tony will be filming two projects, The Killer's List and Lucky Valentine. He shows no sign of slowing down.
In a 2006 interview the actor said that the only real mark we leave on the world relates to family. He is the proud father of three lovely daughters and a grandfather of two, and yet, like Tony Bonner, our legacy is more complex than that. With the goodness he has shown to others over the years - which may not have come to fruition had he not been in the spotlight and gone through his own unique personal difficulties - he has positively affected people's lives in various ways that he may never fully comprehend.
Copyrighted 2011 -D.Chittick
