Patrick Ward (actor)

Patrick Ward (4 January 1950 – 14 October 2019[1]) was an Australian actor noted for several performances on Australian television. He died from cancer on October 14, 2019.

Patrick Ward
Born
Patrick Ward

4 January 1950
Sydney, Australia
Died14 October 2019 (aged 69)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationActor

Career

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Early career

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Ward began his career as a dancer in choreographer Ross Coleman's production of Gotta Move at Sydney's Union Theatre (now Footbridge Theatre) around the same time as being signed by Pat Woodley's modelling agency. He trained at Sydney's Independent Theatre and signed with International Casting Services run by Gloria Payten who initially secured work for him as an extra in films such as That Lady from Peking and Color Me Dead.

Television

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At the beginning of the 1970s he was scoring acting work in various television shows. He played Gilbert Bunthorp in ABC TV's adaptation of The Cousin from Fiji, a soldier in Spyforce and a Vietnam veteran in The Godfathers. Further television roles came in police drama Matlock Police in 1973 and as Sam Wandsworth in the teen soap opera Class of '74. He played Nicholas Brent in the 1974 film version of Number 96, and was a regular, Cornelius (aka Corny), in the serial The Unisexers (1975) produced by Cash Harmon Television, the makers of Number 96.[2] The Unisexers was cancelled after just three weeks and 16 episodes due to poor ratings.[3] Ward had previously played Mike Parsons in the television version of Number 96 in 1972.[4]

Ward had a regular support role as Constable Peter Fleming in the police serial Cop Shop starting late 1977 but left the series within three months of its launch.[5] In 1980 he was a regular cast member of a new soap opera, Arcade, created by several members of the creative team from Number 96. Arcade was a critical and ratings failure and was cancelled after six weeks on air.[6][7] and played a guest role in the US series The Love Boat in 1981.

Ward subsequently played a regular role in the situation comedy My Two Wives (1992).[8] Other TV roles included appearances in A Country Practice (1983), Chances (1991), Phoenix (1992), Mission: Impossible (1988), All Saints (2001), Farscape (2001 and 2003) and Bad Cop, Bad Cop (2003). Miniseries appearances include ANZACS and Fields of Fire.

Film

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Ward appeared in the cult film Stone opposite Helen Morse,[9] and the feature film Restraint. He appeared in the opening sequence of Peter Weir's The Cars That Ate Paris, and played tough guy Tex in Sidecar Racers.

Other films include The Chain Reaction,[10] Jindalee Lady[11]and The Crossing.

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRoleType
1969Color Me DeadExtraFeature film
1974The Cars That Ate ParisFeature film
19741974 film version of Number 96Nicholas BrentTV movie
1975That Lady from PekingExtraFeature film
1975Sidecar RacersTexFeature film
1974StoneFeature film
1980The Chain ReactionOatesFeature film
1990The CrossingFeature film
1990Jindalee LadyDavidFeature film

Television

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YearTitleRoleType
Early 1970sThe Cousin from FijiGilbert BunthorpTV series
SpyforceSoldierTV series
The GodfathersVietnam veteranTV series
1972Number 96Mike ParsonsTV series
1973Matlock PoliceTV series
1974–75Class of '74Sam WandsworthTV series
1975The UnisexersCornelius (aka Corny)TV series
1977Cop ShopConstable Peter FlemingTV series
1980ArcadeCraig CarmichaelTV series
1981The Love BoatGuest roleTV series
1983A Country PracticeTV series
1985ANZACSTom McArthurTV miniseries
1987Fields of FireChookTV miniseries
1988Mission: ImpossibleTV series
1991ChancesTV series
1992My Two WivesTV series
1992PhoenixBlazoTV series
2001All SaintsTV series
2001, 2003FarscapeTV series
2003Bad Cop, Bad CopTV series

References

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  1. ^ "Vale: Patrick Ward". TV Tonight. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Aussie Soap Archive: The Unisexers". ozemail.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  3. ^ Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, Allen & Unwin, 1993. ISBN 0-642-18462-3 p 471
  4. ^ Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps, Pluto Press Australia, 2004. ISBN 1-86403-191-3 p 92.
  5. ^ Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps, Pluto Press Australia, 2004. ISBN 1-86403-191-3 p 114.
  6. ^ Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, Allen & Unwin, 1993. ISBN 0-642-18462-3 p. 64.
  7. ^ Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps, Pluto Press Australia, 2004. ISBN 1-86403-191-3 p 149-153.
  8. ^ Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, Allen & Unwin, 1993. ISBN 0-642-18462-3 pp. 307–308.
  9. ^ Giles, Nigel (20 December 2019). "Matinee idol was much more than a pretty face". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Patrick Ward". uk-tv-guide.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Jindalee Lady". Ozmovies. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
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