Augustino Eugenio Mercurio (10 August 1928 – 7 December 2010) better known as Gus Mercurio, was an American-born Australian character actor who appeared in radio, television, and film. He was also a professional boxer, boxing referee and judge. He is a member of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in their non-combatants category (despite actually having had 2 professional bouts as a fighter) and has an award named after him by that institution.

Early life

Mercurio, the eldest child of Vincent A. Mercurio and Cecilia W. "Mickey" Miller, was born in West Bend, Wisconsin near Milwaukee. He had two sisters, Gerie and Connie, and a brother, Tony. His parents were divorced when he was seven. He visited Australia during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and decided to stay.

Early career

His father had boxed professionally under the name of Vince McGurk, and one of his uncles had boxed professionally under the name of Ray Miller. Mercurio himself was a professional boxer, had served in the United States Marine Corps and was also a chiropractor Mercurio was also an international boxing judge (refereeing a world title fight) and was also a well-known boxing promoter. He later became the inaugural president of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame – into which he was inducted in 2008.

Radio, TV and film

He was successful at his first audition for an ABC radio play. His raspy voice, energetic personality and natural talents quickly came to the attention of Australian television production houses such as Crawford Productions. He also worked as a commentator for Channel 7's World of Sport, as well as acting as the movie host for Channel 10's Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio. Mercurio appeared in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company (1975), its follow-up Tandarra (1976) and the miniseries Power Without Glory (1976). Additionally, he played many guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide (1964), Division 4 (1969) and Matlock Police (1971). His film appearances include The Blue Lagoon (1980), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Turkey Shoot (1982), Crocodile Dundee II (1988), Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991) and Doing Time for Patsy Cline (1997).

Boxing career

He participated in two professional boxing fights in 1950, losing both. Staying close to boxing, he judged 149 professional bouts and, starting in 1970 and until 1986, refereed 89 fights, including some world championship contests, such as the 1985 one between Barry Michaels and Lester Ellis, which was a major sporting event in Australia.

Family

Mercurio was married twice and fathered seven children, including dancer/actor Paul Mercurio, the star of the film Strictly Ballroom (1992).

Death

He died on 7 December 2010 from complications during surgery for a chest aneurysm. He was 82 years old.

Filmography

Film

Television

Works