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Ron Haddrick
Ron Haddrick
Ron Haddrick
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Ronald Norman Haddrick MBE AM (9 April 1929 – 11 February 2020) was an Australian actor, narrator and South Australian cricketer. In 2012, he received the Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and distinguished career in media, spanning some seventy years both locally and also in Britain. He appeared in many Shakespearean roles and often performed with theatre actress Ruth Cracknell.[1][2]

Key Information

At the time of this Lifetime Achievement Award, playwright David Williamson said, "Ron Haddrick was chosen for two reasons. He’s a great actor, definitely one of the greatest of his generation, and also a great human being who has enriched the lives of countless Australians through his acting. He has also enriched the lives of many of us who work in the theatre because of his dedication and palpable decency."

In presenting the award, actor John Bell said Haddrick's "career has been extraordinary ... he is undoubtedly one of the leading lights in the Australian acting industry and he is much loved, admired and respected, because of both his professionalism and his good nature."[3] On news of his death, Bell Shakespeare said: “a legend of Australian theatre ... it was a privilege to have him grace our stage”.[4]

Family

[edit]

Haddrick was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the only son of Olive May (née Gibson) and Alexander Norman Haddrick.[5] Haddrick's wife, Lorraine, received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for her "outstanding dedication to athletics as a volunteer official for 32 years".[6] They had two children: NIDA graduate Lynette Haddrick[7] and screenwriter and producer Greg Haddrick, and three grandchildren, Taya, Milly and Jack Haddrick.[8]

In 2011 three generations of the Haddrick family were involved in the production of the Australian miniseries Cloudstreet. Ron Haddrick was the narrator, Greg Haddrick was a producer, and Mille Haddrick was an actor.[9]

Cricket career

[edit]

As a sportsman, Haddrick played first-class cricket during the 1950s, representing South Australia on three occasions in the Sheffield Shield competition.[10][11]

Professional acting career

[edit]

Theatre

[edit]

Haddrick first appeared on the stage in 1949[12] at the Adelaide Tivoli Theatre. Later, he was invited to join the Stratford Memorial Theatre (now the Royal Shakespeare Theatre). During five seasons in Stratford-upon-Avon he performed with Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Peggy Ashcroft and Michael Redgrave.

On his return to Sydney, he gained roles with the Trust Players. After the Old Tote Theatre Company formed, Haddrick played in more than forty productions.

Radio and television

[edit]

Haddrick has worked extensively in radio and TV throughout his career, notably for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He made an early television appearance in the 1960 television play Close to the Roof. He had his first starring TV role as Dr. William Redfern in The Outcasts. He later appeared as the alien "Adam Suisse" in G K Saunders' pioneering children's science fiction series The Stranger, broadcast on the ABC in 1964–65. In 1969 and again in 1982, he voiced Ebenezer Scrooge for two Australian-produced adaptations of A Christmas Carol. He worked along the same lines in the Australian animation field in 1977 with a shorter version of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Narrator

[edit]

Haddrick also narrated six audio books of the British children's TV series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, released by ABC For Kids. These were written by Christopher Awdry and illustrated by Ken Stott.

Haddrick is also known for having narrated all audio books of the Australian children's/young adult fantasy book series Deltora Quest, written by Emily Rodda.

Selected stage work

[edit]

Other stage work in the '70s and ‘80s included major roles for Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia and Queensland Theatre Company in classics and new Australian plays. He also played extensive seasons of the Nimrod Theatre Company production of The Club. Haddrick received two of the now defunct "Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Awards" for his performances in Long Day's Journey into Night and I'm Not Rappaport.

In the 1990s he played many roles for Marian Street Theatre and the STC, including King Lear and Wacka Dawson in The One Day of the Year.

Haddrick appeared in Australian-made television from Certain Women and Heartbreak High to Farscape and in numerous feature films. Haddrick also played on The Lost Islands, as the tyrant "Q", a 200-year-old ruler. On radio, he has performed in hundreds of dramas, documentaries, and special features. He was frequently heard reading poetry for the ABC.[13]

Haddrick and Cracknell

[edit]

In 1960 Haddrick appeared at the Adelaide Festival of Arts in a production of Murder in the Cathedral in Bonython Hall. It marked the start of a long working partnership between Haddrick and Ruth Cracknell. In 1970 they performed in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. It was directed for the Old Tote in Sydney by Sir Tyrone Guthrie and toured widely. In 1973, Haddrick, Ruth Cracknell, Gordon Chater and Garry McDonald appeared at the Australian Theatre in Newtown in a miscellany called Aurora Australis. They were in the Old Tote's production of David Williamson's What If You Died Tomorrow? in 1974; it toured Australia and played in London at the Comedy Theatre. In the late 1970s, they were in two Peter Williams' productions at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, Bedroom Farce and The Gin Game.

In 1983 Haddrick and Cracknell played the theatrical Mr and Mrs Crummles in Richard Wherrett’s production of David Edgar's two-part Dickens marathon, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby for the Sydney Theatre Company. This played at the Theatre Royal in Sydney and the State Theatre in Melbourne. In 1990 they were reunited in A.R. Gurney's Love Letters for the Sydney Theatre Company.[14]

Death

[edit]

Haddrick died at home at age 90 in Sydney surrounded by his wife and family on 11 February 2020. A memorial service was held at The Parade Theatre at NIDA on 1 March 2020. Speakers included his daughter Lyn, his granddaughter Millie, his son Greg, actors Kirrily Nolan and Peter Carroll AM, directors Aubrey Mellor OAM and John Bell AO OBE and former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell.[15][16]

Honours

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Type
1955 Othello TV movie
1960 Close to the Roof Joe Collon TV movie
1962 Reunion Day Dave Rubin TV movie
1962 The Case of Private Hamp Padre TV movie
1962 The Taming of the Shrew Petrecio TV movie
1963 A Dead Secret Frederick Dyson TV movie
1963 The Tempest Alonso TV movie
1964 The Late Edwina Black Gregory Black TV movie
1965 The Big Killing[20] Gavin Cole TV movie
1965 The Sweet Sad Story of Elmo and Me Dig TV movie
1965 The Affair Skefflington TV movie
1965 Tartuffe Tartuffe TV movie
1969 A Christmas Carol Mr. Scrooge (voice)
1970 Chequerboard Oedipus
1970 A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Voice artist TV movie
1971 The Legend of Robin Hood Sheriff of Nottingham (voice) Animated TV movie
1971 Treasure Island Voice artist Animated TV movie
1972 Robinson Crusoe Voice artist Animated TV movie
1972 The Prince and the Pauper Voice artist Animated TV movie
1972 Travels of Marco Polo Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 The Taming of the Shrew Baptista TV movie
1973 The Count of Monte Carlo Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 Kidnapped Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 The Swiss Family Robinson Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 The Three Musketeers Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 The Black Arrow Voice artist Animated TV movie
1973 The Gentleman of Titipu Voice artist Animated TV movie
1975 The Golden Cage Rich Man
1975 The Mysterious Island Voice artist TV movie
1976 The Fourth Wish Harbard Feature film
1976 Master of the World Voice artist Animated TV movie
1976 The Haunting of Hewie Dowker TV movie
1977 Dot and the Kangaroo Father (voice) Animated TV movie
1977 Moby Dick Voice artist Animated TV movie
1978 The Death Train Dr. Rogers Feature film
1978 The Scalp Merchant TV movie
1979 Dawn! Pop TV movie
1979 The First Christmas Voice artist Animated TV movie
1979 The Adventures of Sinbad Voice artist Animated TV movie
1979 Off on a Comet Voice artist Animated TV movie
1979 From the Earth to the Moon Voice artist Animated TV movie
1981 Dot and Santa Claus (aka Around the World With Dot) – Grumblebones (voice)
- Frog
- Circus Elephant
- Tiger
- British Lion		 Animated TV movie
1981 Run Rebecca, Run Speaker of Parliament Feature film
1982 Sarah and the Squirrel Voice artist Animated TV movie
1982 Runaway Island TV movie
1982 A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge (voice) TV movie
1983 Dot and the Bunny Voice artist Animated TV movie
1983 The Amorous Dentist Film
1983 Butler TV movie
1983 Sherlock Holmes and the Valley of Fear Voice artist Animated TV movie
1983 Sherlock Holmes and the Sign of Four Voice artist Animated TV movie
1983 Sherlock Holmes and the Baskerville Curse Voice artist Animated TV movie
1983 Sherlock Holmes and a Study in Scarlet voice artist Animated TV movie
1984 The Camel Boy Captain O'Connell Film
1984 A Halo of Athuen The Abbott TV movie
1985 Nicolas Nickelby Voice artist Animated TV movie
1986 Short Changed Garrick
1986 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Frollo (voice) Animated TV movie
1987 Great Expectations: The Untold Story Tankarton TV movie
1987 The Odyssey TV movie
1987 Rob Roy Voice artist Animated TV movie
1988 Hiawatha Voice artist Animated TV movie
1990 Quigley Down Under Grimmelman Feature film
1996 Children of the Revolution Sir Arthur Miles Feature film
2000 Beware of Greeks Bearing Guns Thomas
2000 Dogwoman: Dead Dog Walking Barry Holloway TV movie
2006 The Story of Bubble Boy Narrator
2008 The Informant Tom TV movie
2010 Size Thirteen Voice artist Short film
2011 Codgers Jimmie McMurtrie Feature film
2013 Bad Blood Edgardo Short film
2014 Locks of Love Harrold
2015 To My One and Only

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Type
1961 The Outcasts Dr. William Redfern TV miniseries
1963 Jonah Governor TV series
1963–64 Tribunal – Marcus Brutus
- John Brown		 TV series
1964 The Stranger – The Stranger
- Adam Suisse		 TV series
1967–68 Divorce Court TV series
1968 Hunter Bryant TV series
1968 Contrabandits – George Payne
- Dallas		 TV series
1969 Riptide Abraham Decker TV series
1971 You Say the Word English Language Presenter TV series
1971 The Godfathers Painless Plunket TV series
1971 Dynasty Sir Walter Tasker TV series
1972 Barrier Reef Doctor Sedgwick TV series
1975 Silent Number John Stanford TV series
1975 Shannon's Mob Pellini TV series
1965–76 Homicide 5 roles:
- Max Goodwin
- Geoffrey Gibson
- Alan Byrant
- Henry Curtin
- Gordon Lovejoy		 TV series
1976 Luke's Kingdom Wicker TV series
1977 The Restless Years Greg Dening TV series
1982 Jonah TV miniseries
1984 A Country Practice Ralph Harrison TV series
1985 Mother and Son Claude Price TV series
1986 Tusatala Thomas Stevenson TV miniseries
1986 Sons and Daughters Bill Appleby TV series
1988 Emma: Queen of the South Seas Reverend Brown TV miniseries
1994 The Ferals Presenter TV series
1989–94 G.P. – Joris Volmer
- Lloyd Freith		 TV series
1988–96 Home and Away – Gordon Macklin
- Peter Moss		 TV series
1997 Fallen Angels Cec Fowler TV miniseries
1999 Carnavale Voice
1997–99 Heartbreak High – Magistrate
- Arthur		 TV series
1999 Water Rats Felix Freidman TV series
2000 The Lost World Bergin TV miniseries
2004 The Alice Marco Marion TV series
2004 Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars Yondalao TV series
2002–05 All Saints – Jack Leyland
- Bill Roddick		 TV series
2006 Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King Man in Lift TV miniseries
2009 Underbelly Bertie TV series
2011 Cloudstreet Narrator TV miniseries
2014 Rake Judge Velez TV series

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ron Haddrick

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ronald Norman Haddrick AM MBE (9 April 1929 – 11 February 2020) was an Australian actor, narrator, and cricketer renowned for his seven-decade career in , , and voice work. Born in Glenelg, , , Haddrick began his journey in 1946 with a debut at the Tivoli Theatre in , while also pursuing as an opening batsman. He represented in three matches during the early 1950s, showing promise for higher levels before prioritizing acting after an invitation to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. Haddrick's acting career spanned prestigious stages in the and , where he performed five seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside luminaries such as and . Notable stage roles included Alf Cook in the world premiere of The One Day of the Year, Jock in The Club (1977), and Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1981), with affiliations to companies like the , , and Old Tote. On television, he gained recognition for portraying Dr. Redfern in The Outcasts (1962) and Adam Suisse in The Stranger (1964), alongside appearances in series such as Home and Away and Underbelly. As a narrator, he lent his distinctive voice to audiobooks including the series and Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest novels. In recognition of his contributions to the , Haddrick was appointed Member of the (MBE) in 1974 and Member of the (AM) in 2013, and he received the Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Married to Lorraine Quigley since 1956, he was survived by his wife, children Lynette and , daughter-in-law , and grandchildren Taya, Milly, and Jack; his final stage appearance was in with the in 2014.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Ron Haddrick was born on 9 April 1929 in , a of , , to parents Olive May Haddrick (née Gibson) and Alexander Norman Haddrick. He grew up in a family with a strong sporting heritage, particularly in ; his father Norman and all three of his uncles were avid grade-level cricketers, which instilled in Haddrick an early passion for the sport that would influence his youth. His father also formed the Glenlea Singers, a church choir that performed on a weekly radio spot for 5DN, introducing Haddrick to performance early on. During his adolescence, after attending Adelaide High School, Haddrick took up work as a in , a profession he pursued while developing personal interests. He later married Lorraine Quigley on 10 March 1956 in , ; the couple had two children—a daughter, Lynette Haddrick, who graduated from the (NIDA) and became an actress, and a son, Greg Haddrick, who pursued a career as a and producer—and three grandchildren, Taya, Milly, and Jack. Lorraine Haddrick received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for her services to athletics as a volunteer official. Haddrick received no formal education in drama and entered the performing arts through self-directed efforts, initially via the family choir and local radio broadcasts. This informal path marked the beginning of his transition from family-influenced sporting pursuits to a professional life in the arts.

Initial career pursuits

Following his schooling at High School, Ron Haddrick took up employment as a in , a role that provided financial stability during his early adulthood. However, evenings found him increasingly drawn to local radio dramas, where he began performing, sparking his interest in the . This pursuit aligned with his stage debut in 1946 at the Tivoli Theatre, a prominent venue for variety shows, marking his entry into professional as a performer. Haddrick's initial theatre work in involved balancing these emerging acting commitments with his passion for , influenced by his family's sporting heritage. He took on small roles in local productions while pursuing the sport, highlighting the dual paths that defined his early professional life. This period of divided focus in the late 1940s and early 1950s showcased his versatility, though acting gradually gained prominence. A pivotal moment came in 1953 when Haddrick auditioned for Anthony Quayle, director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (now the Royal Shakespeare Company), during the company's Australian tour. His successful audition led to an invitation to join the ensemble in England, broadening his theatre opportunities beyond Adelaide and solidifying his commitment to acting over cricket. This breakthrough prompted his relocation from Adelaide for international professional growth, initiating a trajectory that would span continents.

Cricket career

Grade-level play

Ron Haddrick's early involvement in cricket was shaped by his family's strong cricketing tradition in South Australia, where his father Norman and three uncles were active grade players, inspiring him to pursue the sport from a young age. He began playing as an opening batsman in local Adelaide clubs during the late 1940s, honing his skills in the South Australian Cricket Association's district competitions. Haddrick joined the Glenelg District Cricket Club, partnering with future Test player Gavin Stevens at the top of the order in grade matches. His contributions helped Glenelg in key local fixtures, including a 1953 clash against , where he was noted for walking out to bat as part of the team's competitive lineup. By the early , Haddrick had advanced within the grade structure, participating in higher-stakes amateur and semi-professional level play amid his initial forays into . This period marked his development as a reliable opener, building form that positioned him for state selection.

First-class appearances

Ron Haddrick made three first-class appearances for , all as an opening batsman, during the early 1950s. His debut came in the 1951/52 season against in , where he scored 27 in the first innings and 9 in the second, contributing modestly to 's drawn match. In his second outing, later that season against Victoria in , Haddrick managed 10 and 7 as suffered an innings defeat. These performances highlighted his solid defensive technique but limited scoring ability at the elite level. Haddrick's final first-class match was a tour game against the visiting South Africans in Adelaide during the 1952/53 season, where he opened with 6 in the first innings and remained not out on 10 in the second in a match that ended drawn. Across his three matches, he batted in six innings for a total of 69 runs at an average of 13.80, with a highest score of 27; he also took one catch but did not bowl.
MatchDateOpponentVenueScoresResult
8–12 Feb 195227 & 9Drawn
22–26 Feb 1952Victoria10 & 7Lost (innings)
Tour Match31 Oct–4 Nov 19526 & 10*Drawn
By the mid-1950s, Haddrick had retired from to pursue his burgeoning acting career, though his contributions remain noted in South Australian cricket records as a promising but brief foray into elite domestic play.

Acting career

Stage and theatre work

Ron Haddrick began his stage career in , making his professional debut in 1946 at the Tivoli Theatre. He initially performed in amateur and semi-professional productions while also working in radio, building a foundation in local before gaining wider recognition. Upon returning to in 1959 after international work, he joined the Trust Players in , contributing to various productions during the early . In 1953, Haddrick was invited to join the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (now the Royal Shakespeare Company) during its Australian tour, leading to five successful seasons at from the mid-1950s to 1959. There, he progressed from minor roles to prominent parts, including in Romeo and Juliet and in , sharing the stage with luminaries such as , , and . The company toured Russia in 1958 amid tensions, highlighting Haddrick's early international exposure. Back in , he became a mainstay of the Old Tote Theatre Company from its founding in 1963, appearing in over 40 productions through the 1970s, often in classical and contemporary works that showcased his versatility. Haddrick's later stage work included the role of Jock in the original 1977 Nimrod Theatre Company production of David Williamson's The Club, a portrayal of a cunning club administrator that drew acclaim and led to tours across and a London transfer to the and . He earned two Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Awards in 1987 for his performances as James Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's (Sydney Theatre Company) and Nat in Herb Gardner's (State Theatre Company of ). In the 1990s, he took on lead roles such as for the Marian Street Theatre and , demonstrating his enduring command of . Haddrick frequently collaborated with actress in plays like The One Day of the Year and . His theatre career spanned seven decades, from 1946 until the mid-2010s, culminating in the 2012 Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognized his profound contributions to Australian stage performance.

Radio, television, and voice acting

Haddrick began his broadcast career in the late , establishing himself through extensive work in Australian radio, particularly with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). During the and , he performed in numerous radio dramas and serials, contributing to the medium's golden era of storytelling with his versatile voice and dramatic range. His radio roles often involved character-driven narratives, drawing on his early experiences in radio stations like 5DN's Radio Canteen, where he appeared in sketches and features from around 1949. By the , Haddrick's ABC radio contributions included serialized adaptations and special productions, amassing hundreds of credits that showcased his ability to portray complex figures in audio formats. Transitioning to television, Haddrick made his early TV debut in the 1960 ABC live drama Close to the Roof, portraying Joe Cullon in a story set amid Sydney's underworld tensions. The following year, he starred as Dr. William Redfern in the ABC historical miniseries The Outcasts (1961), a pioneering production that explored early colonial through live broadcasts with filmed inserts. His breakthrough came in 1964–1965 with the lead role of the enigmatic alien Adam Suisse in ABC's children's miniseries The Stranger, Australia's first locally produced sci-fi series, which aired 60 episodes and highlighted his skill in portraying otherworldly yet relatable characters. These early TV roles marked Haddrick's shift from radio to visual media, leveraging his stage-honed presence for broadcast success. Haddrick's voice acting career flourished in the 1970s and beyond, particularly in animated adaptations that capitalized on his resonant and expressive delivery. In the 1977 animated Dot and the Kangaroo, he provided the voice for Dot's Father, a supportive character in Yoram Gross's beloved Australian production. He voiced the miserly in two animated versions of Charles Dickens's : the 1969 Australian TV special and the 1982 adaptation, bringing gravitas to the transformative role across both projects. Additional voice work included the 1971 animated , where he contributed to the ensemble of character voices, and the 1977 animated feature, voicing key figures in the seafaring tale. These roles established Haddrick as a staple in Australian animation, often voicing authoritative or paternal figures. In later decades, Haddrick appeared in various television guest roles, often as authoritative businessmen or officials. He portrayed businessman characters such as Gordon Macklin and Peter Moss in the long-running soap across multiple episodes from 1988 to 1996. From 1997 to 1999, he guest-starred in as the magistrate Arthur in two episodes, adding depth to courtroom scenes in the teen drama. One of his final notable TV appearances was as the Eidelon priest Yondalao in the 2004 miniseries , contributing to the sci-fi franchise's concluding peace negotiations. These roles reflected Haddrick's enduring demand for seasoned character parts in Australian and international productions.

Notable partnerships and narrations

Haddrick developed a renowned long-term professional partnership with fellow Australian actress Ruth Cracknell, which began in 1960 when they co-starred in T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral at the inaugural Adelaide Festival of Arts, performed in Bonython Hall. This collaboration marked the start of an enduring creative alliance that spanned decades and included over a dozen joint stage productions, showcasing their chemistry in both dramatic and comedic roles. Key examples include their 1970 performances in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, directed by Tyrone Guthrie at the University of New South Wales' Sir John Clancy Auditorium, where Haddrick portrayed Oedipus and Cracknell played Jocasta. Their partnership reached a highlight in 1983 with roles as the theatrical Mr. and Mrs. Crummles in Richard Wherrett's Sydney Theatre Company production of David Edgar's adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. In his voice work, Haddrick excelled as a narrator for and adaptations. During the 1990s, he narrated six audiobooks based on the British children's series & Friends, released by ABC For Kids and featuring stories by , such as Thomas and the Birthday Party and Percy and the Kite. In the , he provided the complete narration for Emily Rodda's popular Australian fantasy series Deltora Quest, delivering smooth, engaging performances across all eight books, including The Forests of Silence and Return to Deltora, which enhanced the immersive quality of the adventures. His narration extended to television with the role of omniscient voice-over artist for the 2011 Showtime Australia adaptation of Tim Winton's novel , providing reflective commentary that framed the multi-generational family saga set in post-war Perth. Haddrick's collaborations extended to prominent Australian playwrights and directors, notably his work with and John Bell. He originated the role of the cunning club administrator Jock in the 1977 premiere of Williamson's The Club at the Nimrod Theatre, directed by Bell, a production that captured the cutthroat world of and became a landmark in modern Australian drama. These partnerships underscored Haddrick's ability to bring depth to ensemble-driven works, contributing to the evolution of contemporary Australian theatre. The legacy of Haddrick's partnerships and narrations lies in their role in elevating Australian performing arts, blending theatrical innovation with accessible audio that resonated across generations. Tributes following his highlighted how his collaborations with Cracknell and others fostered a golden era of intimacy and narrative warmth in Australian cultural output.

Later years

Honours and recognition

In 1974, Ron Haddrick was appointed a Member of the (MBE) for his services to the . Nearly four decades later, in 2013, he received the Member of the (AM) in the for significant service to the as an actor and narrator. Haddrick was also honoured with the Actors' Equity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, acknowledging his distinguished 70-year career across , radio, television, and , as well as his longstanding commitment to the Actors' Benevolent Fund of . Earlier in his career, he earned two Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Awards in 1987 for his performances as James Tyrone in Long Day's Journey into Night and Nat in I'm Not Rappaport. Following his death in 2020, posthumous tributes underscored his enduring impact, with playwright praising him as "a great , definitely one of the greatest of his generation, and also a great human being who has enriched the lives of countless Australians through his acting." Similarly, John Bell, founder of Bell Shakespeare, described Haddrick as "one of the great actors of his generation," noting his mentorship of younger performers and his gentlemanly presence in the industry.

Death and legacy

Ron Haddrick passed away at his home in , , on 11 February 2020, at the age of 90. A memorial service was held in his honour on 1 March 2020 at the National Institute of Dramatic Art's (NIDA) Parade Theatre in , attended by family members including his daughter Lyn, son , and granddaughter Milly, as well as colleagues such as actors John Bell, , and Kirrily Nolan, theatre director Aubrey Mellor, and former cricketer , who served as a surprise speaker. The event, master of ceremonies-led by Peter Carroll, featured tributes celebrating Haddrick's contributions to the . Haddrick's legacy endures through his seven-decade career that profoundly influenced Australian theatre, radio, television, and voice acting, marked by his seamless transition from professional cricket to the stage. He is remembered for his versatility, vocal precision, and mentorship of younger performers, often creating supportive environments in productions alongside luminaries like John Bell. Obituaries from 2020, including those in theatre publications, highlighted his gentlemanly demeanor, comic timing, and collaborations with theatre greats, cementing his status as a foundational figure in Australian arts. As of 2025, no significant new retrospectives or awards have emerged posthumously, though his work continues to be referenced in discussions of mid-20th-century Australian entertainment.

Filmography

Film credits

Ron Haddrick appeared in a select number of feature films throughout his career, often in supporting or voice roles that highlighted his versatile acting style, particularly in Australian productions blending live-action and . His film work spanned from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, contributing to both narrative-driven dramas and family-oriented animated adventures. These roles showcased his ability to portray authoritative figures and provide distinctive voice performances in children's stories set against Australian backdrops. Haddrick's earliest notable film credit was in the 1972 science fiction comedy Shirley Thompson Versus the Aliens, where he played the in a story about a young woman encountering extraterrestrials during a royal visit to . The film, directed by Peter Maxwell, satirized cultural clashes and tropes, with Haddrick's character adding a layer of pompous British formality to the chaotic events. In 1977, Haddrick provided the voice for Dot's Father in the animated family film Dot and the Kangaroo, directed by . Adapted from Ethel C. Pedley's children's book, the story follows a named Dot who befriends a and journeys through the Australian bush to find her way home, emphasizing themes of environmental conservation and animal friendship; Haddrick's warm narration helped ground the anthropomorphic animal characters in familial concern. Haddrick continued his voice work in animated features with Dot and the Koala (1985), another entry in the Dot series by , where he voiced supporting characters including Grumble-Bones. The plot centers on Dot aiding koalas threatened by loggers, promoting messages of habitat protection, and Haddrick's gravelly tones added depth to the film's ensemble of animals. In 1984, he voiced O'Connell in The Camel Boy, an animated adventure directed by about a young Arab boy and his grandfather on a perilous trek across the Australian , facing and survival challenges; Haddrick's performance brought authority to the human antagonist role amid the film's exploration of cultural integration. Haddrick returned to live-action in the 1990 Western Quigley Down Under, directed by Simon Wincer, portraying Grimmelman, a station hand in a tale of an American sharpshooter (Tom Selleck) hired by a ruthless landowner (Alan Rickman) in the Australian frontier, highlighting themes of colonialism and justice. His brief but memorable role contributed to the film's depiction of outback dynamics. His final major film appearance was in the 1996 satirical comedy Children of the Revolution, directed by Peter Duncan, as Sir Allan Miles, a high-ranking official in a narrative tracing the fictional offspring of Joseph Stalin and an Australian communist activist (Judy Davis), weaving political absurdity with personal drama across decades; Haddrick's refined portrayal underscored the film's critique of ideology and power.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1972Shirley Thompson Versus the AliensLive-action feature; supporting role in sci-fi .
1977Dot and the Dot's Father (voice)Animated feature; promoting conservation.
1985Dot and the Grumble-Bones / additional voicesAnimated feature; environmental story in the Dot series.
1984The Camel BoyO'Connell (voice)Animated feature; on cultural themes.
1990GrimmelmanLive-action Western; supporting outback role.
1996Children of the RevolutionSir Allan MilesLive-action satire; supporting political figure.

Television credits

Ron Haddrick's television career spanned over five decades, beginning with early roles in Australian broadcast productions and extending to recurring and guest appearances in popular series. His work often featured authoritative or enigmatic characters, drawing on his extensive stage experience. One of his earliest prominent television roles was in the miniseries The Stranger (1964–1965), where he starred as the extraterrestrial visitor Adam Suisse across all 12 episodes of the two series. Produced by the ABC, the show was Australia's first locally made sci-fi series and showcased Haddrick's ability to portray complex, otherworldly figures. During the 1980s, Haddrick made guest appearances in the long-running medical series , notably as Ralph Harrison in the 1984 two-part episode "Splitting the Difference," where his character navigated family tensions in the rural setting of Wandin Valley. He appeared in multiple episodes throughout the decade, often embodying paternal or community elder figures. Haddrick's guest role in the soap opera came in the late 1980s as the ruthless businessman Gordon Macklin, spanning 14 episodes from 1988 to 1989, during which his character schemed against the community. He later reprised a similar authoritative presence as Peter Moss in additional episodes. In 2002 and 2005, Haddrick guest-starred in the medical drama All Saints as Jack Leyland (2002) and Bill Roddick (2005) across several episodes, portraying patients and family members who brought emotional depth to the hospital-based storylines. His performances added gravitas to themes of aging and healthcare challenges. Haddrick had a recurring role in the teen drama from 1997 to 1999, appearing as Magistrate/Arthur in at least two episodes, where he depicted stern yet compassionate authority figures interacting with the show's youthful protagonists at Maroubra High School. This marked one of his later sustained engagements with contemporary Australian television. In a notable later credit, Haddrick provided the voice narration for the 2011 adaptation of , voicing the omniscient narrator across all three episodes. Based on Tim Winton's , his distinctive delivery bridged the multi-generational family saga set in post-World War II Perth, enhancing the production's epic scope. His involvement was a family affair, with relatives also contributing to the Showtime Australia project.

References

  1. https://www.smh.com.au/national/cricketer-and-actor-who-worked-with-the-biggest-names-in-theatre-20200302-p545xy.html
  2. https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/haddrick-ronald-ron-30112
  3. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ronald-haddrick-5783
  4. https://www.actorsbenevolentfund.org.au/news/33/ron-haddrick-1929-2020
  5. http://www.filmreference.com/film/98/Ron-Haddrick.html
  6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Haddrick-7
  7. http://elissablake.blogspot.com/2014/02/ron-haddrick.html
  8. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/lifetime-award-shows-its-not-just-a-stage-hes-going-through-20121119-29m1q.html
  9. https://www.melbarecordings.com.au/artist/ron-haddrick
  10. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/130776896
  11. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ian-chappell-on-meeting-former-south-australia-players-gavin-stevens-and-ron-haddrick-1057519
  12. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/greatest-school-cricket-teams-messenger-community-news-picks-scotch-and-st-peters-alltime-xis/news-story/fa38ed077506401599edc6671679d51a
  13. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sheffield-shield-1951-52-284737/queensland-vs-south-australia-356771/full-scorecard
  14. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sheffield-shield-1951-52-284737/victoria-vs-south-australia-356773/full-scorecard
  15. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-australia-1952-53-61831/south-australia-vs-south-africans-tour-match-568825/full-scorecard
  16. https://medium.com/the-equity-magazine/leading-man-in-art-and-life-e85a4bf68d6b
  17. https://theatricalia.com/person/2hx/ron-haddrick
  18. https://strathfieldheritage.com/2020/02/17/death-of-ron-haddrick/
  19. https://www.equityfoundation.org.au/awards/australian-equity-lifetime-achievement-award/
  20. https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Ron_Haddrick
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3710546/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2701172/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198246/
  24. https://www.abc.net.au/news/redirects/backstory/2020-05-17/abc-iview-the-stranger-brings-joy-to-dying-star-ron-haddrick/12243876
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274470/fullcredits
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452599/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884793/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1053937/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0352758/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108800/fullcredits
  31. https://liveperformance.com.au/hof-profile/ruth-cracknell-am-1925-2002/
  32. https://blogs.unsw.edu.au/performance-memories/blog/2019/10/when-sir-tyrone-guthrie-launched-the-sir-john-clancy-auditorium-part-1/
  33. https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/haddrick-ronald-ron-30112/
  34. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/78652/deltora-quest-series-3-dragons-nest-by-emily-rodda-read-by-ron-haddrick/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1518917/
  36. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1147809
  37. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/culture/ron-haddrick-one-of-the-great-actors-of-his-generation/news-story/2bcb07a758001ee75640865d2074a0bc
  38. https://kjtheatrediary.com/2020/03/vale-ron-haddrick/
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069262/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274470/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102744/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115886/
  43. https://televisionau.com/2020/02/obituary-ron-haddrick.html
  44. https://home-and-away-soap-opera.fandom.com/wiki/Gordon_Macklin
  45. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ron-haddrick/credits/3000517192/
  46. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108800/fullcredits/
  47. https://www.australiantelevision.net/hbh/series7.html
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1518917/fullcredits/
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