Gordon Stephen Piper (3 June 1932 – 18 September 2004) was an Australian actor, theatre director, scriptwriter and comedian active in all facets of the industry including radio, stage, television (including soap opera and TV movies) and film. He remains best known as plumber Bob Hatfield in A Country Practice.
Piper was born on 3 June 1932, son of Mildred Nelly (née Johnson) and Clive Reginald Piper on their dairy farm in the Sydney suburb of Cheltenham. He began performing as a child, singing soprano for the Sydney Boys' Choir and making his radio debut with a choir on 2FC.[1]
Piper began his professional career acting in radio plays, and later branched out to touring variety acts which toured local pubs and clubs. He worked as a television extra for several years, before taking to the stage for a theatre career. Notable roles in the 1970s included a long-running stint in the play Dimboola, and a role as a bartender in the film My Brilliant Career.[1] He was also involved in Werrington's own Henry Lawson Theatre performing both on stage and as director.
Piper is best known for his long-term role as town plumber Robert Menzies 'Bob' Hatfield in the television soap A Country Practice, appearing from episode 4 of that series in 1981 until 1992, becoming one of the longest-serving actors in an Australian drama series, until he was written out of the series alongside co-star Syd Heylen, as the producers wanted to concentrate on a younger cast and an updated formula. The decision was later regretted and co-star Brian Wenzel agreed in an interview in TV Week that the two actors were a large part of the series' comedic storylines.
Other television roles included Homicide, Boney, Spyforce, and the made-for-TV film Hector's Bunyip. He appeared in the film The Dark Room.
Piper served as the associate director of the Arts Council of New South Wales. He was also a founding member of P.A.C.T. (Producers, Actors, Composers and Talents), one of the best-known actors' studios in Sydney. He and actor Leonard Teale produced 'fill-ins' for ABC-TV prior to the widespread broadcasting of music videos.
Piper's wife Judith Ann Piper (formerly Price) died in 1981 and he wrote and directed an episode of A Country Practice in dedication to her and her story.
In 1999, Piper was charged with the sexual molestation of an 11-year-old girl who attended his house at Penrith to help him unpack boxes.[2] Piper, however, always maintained his innocence and was subsequently acquitted of the charges.[3]
Piper had diabetes, which affected his circulation and eventually resulted in the amputation of both his legs.[1] He suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Blacktown Hospital and died on 19 September 2004 aged 72.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Wake in Fright | Two-up Player (uncredited) | Feature film |
| 1972 | Private Collection | First Removalist | Feature film |
| 1978 | Puzzle | Policeman in House | TV movie |
| 1979 | My Brilliant Career | Barman | Feature film |
| 1982 | The Dark Room | Police Sargeant | Feature film |
| 1986 | Hector's Bunyip | Jack Benson | TV movie |
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Division 4 | John Hardin | TV series |
| 1971 | Dynasty (aka Tony Morphett's Dynasty) | Warder | TV series |
| 197- | The Comedy Game | Pub Customer | TV series |
| 1972 | Boney | Sergeant | TV series |
| 1971-73 | Spyforce | Prison Sergeant (uncredited) / Eric the Grave Digger (uncredited) | TV series |
| 1976 | Number 96 | Detective Sergeant | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1978 | Case for the Defence | Moncheiff | TV series |
| 1977-79 | Chopper Squad | Port Officer / The Detective | TV series |
| 1981-92 | A Country Practice | Robert Menzies 'Bob' Hatfield | TV series, 745 episodes |
