Reg Gorman (2 August 1932 – 5 August 2021) was an Australian television and film actor, and comedian, he was known best for his role in TV serial The Sullivans, as Jack Fletcher. and children's series Fergus McPhail as Harry Patterson. Gorman was also active in radio dramas and theatre and was one of the last active vaudeville performers in Australia.<ref name="Conquest"

Personal life

Reg Gorman, trained with Hayes Gordon and J.C. Williamson Theatre Company, he was married to fellow actor Judith Roberts. The couple had three children: Kate, Karl and Charmaine. They raised their children together while working in the theatre, television and film industries.

Career

Television roles

While having his comedy roots in vaudeville, Gorman began his television career with appearances on the Australian television series Consider Your Verdict in 1964 and again in 1966. His first recurring star role in a series was the ATN series Mrs. Finnegan as Darby Finnigan in 13 episodes from 1970 to 1971. In 1976, he joined the cast of The Sullivans and remained in his role of Jack Fletcher for the series' entire 1976–1983 run. Gorman played the guest role of Bert Gibbs in Prisoner in 1984, and appeared in several episodes of the series The Henderson Kids (1985). In 1985 he guested in four episodes in Neighbours as Wally Walters, returning to the series again in 1999 in a different role. He starred as Reg Hide in the 1987 series pilot Jackal and Hide alongside Norman Yemm, his former co-star from The Sullivans, who co-starred in the pilot as the character of Norm Jackal. In 1994, he played the role of Mr. Fowler in the Hugh Jackman vehicle Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. In 1997 he held the role of Grandpa in seven episodes of The Wayne Manifesto. From 2000 through to 2001, he appeared in the series Something in the Air in four episodes as Ken. He also appeared as Harry Patterson in all 26 episodes of the 2004 comedy series Fergus McPhail.

Film roles

Gorman was also involved in numerous films, beginning in 1968 as Otto in the western drama (released in English as The Drifting Avenger), and up to his later projects, Animals and the short film Like It Was Yesterday (both 2012). Gorman was described as being one of the last Australian vaudeville performers.

Death

Gorman died from cancer at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, aged 89, on 5 August 2021.

Filmography

Television

Film

Theatre