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Tony Rickards

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tony Rickards
EducationUniversity of Melbourne
OccupationActor

Tony Rickards is an Australian comedian and actor,[1][2] who has worked in television, film, radio and theatre.[3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Rickards studied commerce at the University of Melbourne, where he met comedian Steve Vizard. The pair began collaborating in the university comedy/revue scene, while they were members of the Melbourne Law Revue.[4]

Career

[edit]

Rickards and Vizard began performing off campus, together with pianist Paul Grabowsky, comedian and writer Geoff Street and actor Michael O'Neill, as comedy group The Hardy Perennials.[4] In 1978, the group began their revue The Kookaburra Longjohn Underwear Show at Melbourne's Foibles Theatre Restaurant in Carlton.[4][5]

Shortly thereafter, Rickards began appearing in films in the 1980s, with a role in Squizzy Taylor (1982),[3] before landing his first lead role alongside John Hargreaves in 1984 TV movie The Great Gold Swindle.[5] In 1985, he acted in the films Robbery[6] and Mud, Bloody Mud,[7] before playing opposite Oliver Reed in 1986 film Castaway.[5]

Notably, Rickards played Con Marasco in the radio series Punter to Punter for eight years, beginning in 1981.[1][8][9] The show was developed off the back of a 1980 racing tips segment on a morning sports show.[10] The racehorse Marasco was named after Rickards' character.[5]

On television, Rickards featured in 1984 miniseries Waterfront,[1] with Jack Thompson, Warren Mitchell and Greta Scacchi.[5] He went on to appear in numerous drama series including A Country Practice, G.P., Good Guys, Bad Guys, Halifax f.p., Stingers and Blue Heelers, playing the recurring role of Compo Hayes in the latter.[5] Rickards also made many appearances in television comedy series, including Lano & Woodley, Micallef, BackBerner and Kath & Kim. He featured heavily in the sketch series The Russell Gilbert Show.[5]

Rickards film career continued into the 1990s, with a cameo appearance opposite comedian Jimeoin in 1999 comedy film The Craic.[5] He went on to play Roy Orbison in 2006 U.S. TV movie, Nightmares & Dreamscapes. He has since had roles in Summer Coda (2010), The Cup (2011), TV movie The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (2012), Holding The Man (2015), Pawno (2015) and The Menkoff Method (2016).[3]

Rickards' more recent television credits include further drama series including Wentworth, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Winners & Losers, Tangle and 2015 miniseries Childhood's End.[3]

Additionally, Rickards performs for the stage. Recent theatre credits include Every Night, Every Night for Frank Theatre Company (2012) and Cock for Melbourne Theatre Company (2014). He has also performed in his own comedy stage shows in Melbourne at venues including The Flying Trapeze, Universal Theatre, Palais Theatre and The Last Laugh,[3][5] including the 1985 show Tony Rickards Takes a Punt, at the latter.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Rickards and Steve Vizard are godfathers to each other’s children.[4]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1982Squizzy TaylorDutch[3][11]
The ClinicChris

[12]

1985Wills & BurkePatton[13]
Niel LynneTim Marsh
1994Miss TaurusShort film
This Marching Girl ThingPolicemanShort film[14]
1996My Second CarEarleShort film
1997Operation Dostoyevsky[15]
1999The CraicBald Doctor[3]
2010Summer CodaFreddy[3][16]
2011The CupChief Steward[3]
2013The WizardGaryShort film
2015Holding The ManMr O'Connell[3][17]
PawnoHarry[3][18]
2016The Menkoff MethodTrevor[3][19]
2017West of SunshineRace Caller
2018In the WakeBobShort film
2019Ride Like a GirlTrainer
The WhistleblowerGPEC Executive

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1979–1983The SullivansVarious4 episodes
1984WaterfrontSnowy WilliamsMiniseries, 3 episodes[1][20]
The Great Gold SwindlePeter MickelbergTV movie[6][21]
Special Squad1 episode[22]
1985Mud, Bloody MudCurleyTV movie[23][7]
RobberyLt. Russ Stevenson (retired)TV movie[6]
1986Sword of HonourChinaMiniseries, 2 episodes
A Single LifeSandyTV movie
CastawayJason[3][24]
1988PietaHenry NorrieTV movie[25]
1989A Country PracticeDr Marshall Doyle2 episodes
1990Mission: ImpossibleMel1 episode
The Flying DoctorsCharlie Coombes1 episode[26]
1991ChancesBob Burchett1 episode
1992Boys from the BushBrian1 episode
G.P.Eddie Hogg1 episode
BonySmooch1 episode
1993The Making of NothingJournoTV movie
1994–2003Blue HeelersCompo Hayes / Reg Taggerty8 episodes[27][28]
1995Halifax f.p.George Rayner1 episode
CorrelliOfficer McAlpine2 episodes[29]
The FedsBennie FontaineMiniseries, 1 episode[30]
1997Good Guys, Bad GuysDet Sgt Forbes1 episode
1998–2002StingersConstable Charlie Murray / Miles Vanderhoeven3 episodes
1999ThunderstoneRoyal Valenti2 episodes[31]
The Adventures of Lano and WoodleyZachary Wilde2 episodes
The Micallef ProgramEckerman1 episode
2000Dogwoman: Dead Dog WalkingSteve FinlayTV movie[32]
Russell Gilbert LiveVarious14 episodes
2001Russell Gilbert Was Here!Various8 episodes
2002Kath & KimBrian1 episode[3]
BootlegFishy Brian3 episodes
2003MDAPeter Pearce1 episode
2004LootRichardsonTV movie[33]
2005Wicked ScienceWyatt, Summer1 episode[34]
2006Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen KingRoy OrbisonMiniseries, 1 episode
2007CurtinEddie WardTV movie[35]
2007; 2010City HomicideMike Davies / Ray Donovan2 episodes
2007–2011NeighboursVarious10 episodes
2009The Saddle ClubEthan Goodbar2 episodes[36]
Dirt GameLeo IvesMiniseries, 2 episodes
Whatever Happened to That Guy?Lance Purves3 episodes
RushRobert Hayden1 episode[37]
2009–2012TangleBilly Hall13 episodes[3]

[38]

2010Sleuth 101Keenan1 episode
Bed of RosesLegal1 episode[39]
2011Killing TimeJustice Peterson1 episode[40]
2012The Mystery of a Hansom CabJohn KnoxTV movie[3]
2013Miss Fisher's Murder MysteriesSgt Baxter1 episode[3][41]
Winners & LosersFather Brennan2 episodes[3][42]
2014WentworthGraham Dalby2 episodes[3][43]
2015Childhood's EndJimMiniseries, 1 episode[3][44]
2017The Ex-PMCrazy Joe3 episodes
2018Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to YouDr LevinsonMiniseries, 1 episode[45]
Jack IrishRazor Ray5 episodes[46]
The InbestigatorsMr Henderson1 episode[47]
2021SuperwogLawyer1 episode[48]
The NewsreaderDr Shaw2 episodes[49]
FiresRollo1 episode
2022Summer LoveNeighbour1 episode[50]
2023Safe HomeMagistrate Johns1 episode[51]
Five BedroomsCliff1 episode
2024FakeMr Whitney1 episode[52]

Theatre

[edit]

As performer

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1978The Kookaburra Longjohn Underwear Show[5]
1978–1979The Mouth ShowDentistVIC/QLD tour with Handspan Theatre[53]
1979ZastrozziVerezziPram Factory, Melbourne with Australian Performing Group[53]
1980Catch a Rising StarMCMelbourne Theatre Restaurant[53]
The Mouth ShowDentistVIC tour with Handspan Theatre[53]
1980–1982The Bunyip of Berkeley's CreekBunyip 1Australian tour, Paris, Georgetown University, Washington DC, Amsterdam, St Martin-in-the Fields, London, Heriott Watt Theatre, Edinburgh[53]
1982Christmas is Beyond a JokeLe Joke, Melbourne[53]
1985Tony Rickards Takes a Puntand The Last Laugh[2]
1987More TroubleSolo showUniversal Theatre, Melbourne[53][54]
1994AmadeusRosenbergMelbourne Athenaeum with Griffin Entertainment Ltd[53][54]
2012Every Night, Every NightBarrettFrank Theatre Company[3]
2015West Side StoryDocState Theatre, Melbourne with The Production Company[3][53]
2016CurtainsOscar ShapiroState Theatre, Melbourne with The Production Company[53]

As writer/director

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1980–1982The Bunyip of Berkeley's CreekScriptwriterAustralian tour, Paris, Georgetown University, Washington DC, Amsterdam, St Martin-in-the Fields, London, Heriott Watt Theatre, Edinburgh[53]
1981Con and Vince Expo '81PlaywrightCoral Capers Theatre Restaurant, Caloundra[53]
Dr Cloth and the Teresa O'Reilly ExplosionDirectorMelbourne Comedy Cafe[53]
1984Sidney Spider's Muesli BowlWriterSidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne with Handspan Theatre[53]
1988Waves of ChangePlaywrightCastlemaine Swimming Pool with Handspan Theatre[53]

Awards

[edit]
Year Work Award Category Result Ref.
1998Operation DostoyevskyMelbourne University Festival of Short FilmsBest Supporting ActorWon[15]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 Dann, Max (3 June 1983), "A comedian's life is hard, says Rickards", The Age
  2. 1 2 3 Romney, Jason (18 April 1985), "Taking a punt with satire", The Age
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "West Side Story" (PDF). theproductioncompany.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2026. Cite error: The named reference "WSS" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. 1 2 3 4 Wood, Leonie (2007). Funny Business: The Rise and Fall of Steve Vizard. Allen & Unwin.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Tony Rickards". internationalspeakers.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Breen, Marcus (May 1986), "Clotted Crime", Cinema Papers, p. 84-85
  7. 1 2 Hooks, Barbara (24 October 1986), "ABC gambles with its own strategic exercise", The Age
  8. ↑ Brown, Jenny (28 October 1982), "When it comes to punting RRR makes a clean sweep", The Age
  9. ↑ Bock, Andrew (19 April 1990), "Radio's in a rut, say 'Punters'", The Age
  10. ↑ Browne, Ashley (19 August 1988), "Punting with 'Dr Turf'", The Australian Jewish News
  11. ↑ "Squizzy Taylor". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "The Clinic". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  13. ↑ "Wills & Burke". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  14. ↑ "This Marching Girl Thing". Screen Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Operation Dostoyevsky". Screen Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  16. ↑ "Summer Coda". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  17. ↑ "Holding the Man". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Pawno". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  19. ↑ "The Menkoff Method". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  20. ↑ "Waterfront". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  21. ↑ "The Great Gold Swindle". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  22. ↑ "Special Squad: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  23. ↑ "Mud, Bloody Mud". Screen Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  24. ↑ "Castaway". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  25. ↑ "Pieta". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  26. ↑ "The Flying Doctors: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  27. ↑ "Blue Heelers: episode guide | Series 7". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  28. ↑ "Blue Heelers: episode guide | Series 1". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  29. ↑ "Correlli: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  30. ↑ "The Feds". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  31. ↑ "Tangle: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  32. ↑ "Dogwoman: Dead Dog Walking". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  33. ↑ "Loot". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  34. ↑ "Wicked Science: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  35. ↑ "Curtin". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  36. ↑ "Saddle Club: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  37. ↑ "Rush: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  38. ↑ "Tangle: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  39. ↑ "Bed of Roses: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  40. ↑ "Killing Time: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  41. ↑ "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  42. ↑ "Winners & Losers: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  43. ↑ "Wentworth: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  44. ↑ "Childhood's End: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  45. ↑ "ONJ – Hopelessly Devoted to You: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  46. ↑ "Jack Irish: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  47. ↑ "The Inbestigators: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  48. ↑ "Superwog: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  49. ↑ "The Newsreader: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  50. ↑ "Summer Love: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  51. ↑ "Safe Home: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  52. ↑ "Fake: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Tony Rickards". AusStage. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  54. 1 2 "Melissa Rose Management | Tony Rickards" (PDF). showcast.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
[edit]
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