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Tony Bonner
Tony Bonner
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Anthony Frederick Bonner AM (born 23 November 1943)[1] is an Australian television, film, and stage actor and singer. Bonner became famous in the 1960s children's television series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, later moving on to lead roles in the dramas Cop Shop and Skyways.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Anthony Frederick Bonner was born in Manly,[citation needed] a northern beach suburb of Sydney. His grandfather, James Bonner, was a former Mayor of Manly and founding President of the Manly Life Saving Club. His father, Frederick Bonner, was a musical comedy actor at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney.[citation needed] His mother was born Josephine Sheidow and was, a 1935 article announcing her engagement to Frederick Bonner claimed, 'well known in the swimming world.'[2] She was also known as a singer.[3]

After leaving school Bonner started work for a company supplying mannequins and other equipment for window dressing. He also worked part-time in his father's theatre as a wardrobe attendant, fostering his interest in acting.[citation needed]

Career

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Acting

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Bonner's first professional stage acting job was in 1961, aged 18. His first major role was as helicopter pilot Jerry King on the television series Skippy.[citation needed]

Bonner went on to appear in many Crawford Productions television series, including The Box, Matlock Police, Division 4, Cop Shop, Skyways, and Carson's Law.[4]

In 1970–71, he had a guest role in one episode of the UK-based ITC television series The Persuaders! starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. He featured in an advertising campaign for the Ballajura real estate development in Western Australia in the late 1970s.[citation needed]

His notable film roles include Eyewitness (1970), You Can't Win 'Em All (1970), Creatures the World Forgot (1971), Inn of the Damned (1975), The Mango Tree (1977), Money Movers (1978)[5], The Man from Snowy River (1982), The Highest Honor (1983), Quigley Down Under (1990), Dead Sleep (1990), Hurricane Smith (1992), and Liquid Bridge (2003). He has twice portrayed Australian World War I soldier Murray Bourchier, to whom he bears a remarkable likeness, in the 1987 film The Lighthorsemen and a 1993 episode of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.[citation needed]

Bonner also starred in the 1985 TV mini-series Anzacs. He played Lieutenant (later Captain) Harold Armstrong, commanding officer of the 8th Battalion (Australia) of the First Australian Imperial Force in 1914, from the Gallipoli in 1915 to the Western Front.[citation needed]

Bonner has done advertising work, such as playing veteran burger-naming expert Ken Thomas in a 2007 McDonald's ad campaign.[citation needed]

In September 2008, Bonner sued Fauna Productions Pty Ltd, the production company for Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, seeking residuals from merchandising and DVD sales.[6]

He acted in William Kelly's War (2014) and Landfall (2017), both filmed and produced in Australia.[citation needed]

Music

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Bonner recorded a cover version of the Bee Gees song "Wine and Women" in 1968. He later appeared with Barry Gibb on an episode of Bandstand.[citation needed]

Later in his career Bonner appeared in several stage musicals, including Annie Get Your Gun and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.[when?][citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Type
1965 Rusty Bugles TV movie
1965 Tartuffe Valere TV movie
1966 They're a Weird Mob Lifesaver Feature film
1970 Eyewitness Tom Jones Feature film
1970 You Can't Win 'Em All Reese Feature film
1971 Creatures the World Forgot Toomak 'The Fair Boy' Feature film
1975 La polizia accusa: il servizio segreto uccide (aka Silent Action) Uncredited Feature film
1975 Inn of the Damned Trooper Moore Feature film
1976 2000 Million Years Later Short film)
1977 The Alternative Peter TV movie
1977 End of Summer TV movie
1977 The Mango Tree Captain Hinkler Feature film
1978 Money Movers Leo Bassett Feature film
1978 Image of Death Karl TV movie
1989 Players in the Gallery TV movie
1980 Hard Knocks Bar Patron Feature film
1981 Intimate Strangers Jerome Hartog TV movie
1982 The Man from Snowy River Kane Feature film
1983 The Highest Honor Lieutenant W.G. Carey Feature film
1986 The Last Frontier Tom Hannon TV movie
1988 The Tourist John Ramsden TV movie
1987 The Lighthorsemen Murray Bourchier Feature film
1990 Quigley Down Under Dobkin Feature film
1990 Dead Sleep Dr. Jonathan Heckett Feature film
1992 Hurricane Smith Howard Fenton Feature film
1992 Academy Jack Steele Feature film
The Venus Factory Roger Hammond Feature film
2003 Liquid Bridge Bob McCallum Feature film
2008 Punishment Stephen Dunbar Feature film
2009 Inseperable Coil Dr Peterson Short film
2014 William Kelly's War Mr Kelly Feature film
2017 Landfall Trevor Feature film
2018 Dots The Doctor Short film
2018 Beats Pa Short film
2021 Him Reg Feature film
2023 Handled Don Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Type
1965 My Brother Jack TV miniseries, 1 episode)
1966 My Name's McGooley, What's Yours? Party Bloke TV series, 1 episode
1968-79 Skippy Jerry King TV series, 207 episodes
1970-71 The Persuaders! Jon TV series, 1 episode
1974 The Box Monte TV series
1974 The Evil Touch Pilot / Tom Leeds TV series, 2 episodes
1974 Division 4 Chris Rapp TV series, 1 episode
1974 Marion Joe TV miniseries, 1 episode
1974 Matlock Police Graham Cotton TV series, 1 episode
1974 Certain Women TV series, 2 episodes
1975 Cash and Company Titus Ruffler TV miniseries, 1 episode
1975 The Rise and Fall of Wellington Boots TV series
1975-76 Homicide Denny Connell / Brett Chilton / Ric Parsons / Russell Craig TV series, 4 episodes
1976 Bluey James Conder TV series, 1 episode
1976 Power Without Glory Brendan West TV miniseries, 6 episodes
1977 Chopper Squad Frank TV series, 1 episode
1977-78 Cop Shop Detective Snr Constable Don McKenna TV series, 29 episodes
1980 Lawson's Mates Joe Wilson TV series, 1 episode
1978-80 Skyways Paul MacFarlane TV series, 83 episodes
1981 Outbreak of Love Russell Lockwood TV miniseries
1984 Special Squad Carver TV series, 1 episode
1984 Carson's Law Chris Dalton TV series, 25 episodes
1985 Anzacs Lieutenant (later Captain) Harold Armstrong TV miniseries, 4 episodes
1986 Murder, She Wrote First Secretary Henry Claymore TV series, 1 episode
1993 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Murray Bourchier TV series, 1 episode
1992-93 E Street Roger Tate TV series, 4 episodes
1996 Pacific Drive TV series
1999 Home and Away Roger Lansdowne TV series, 5 episodes
2000 Pizza SAS Captain TV series, 1 episode
2002 Neighbours Martin Cook TV series, 15 episodes
2015 Shit Creek Diamond Jack TV miniseries

Theatre

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Bonner has had experience as a stage actor and director, including:[7]

As actor

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Year Title Role Type
1987 The Three Musketeers Playhouse, Melbourne
1996 Only When I Laugh Newcastle Civic Theatre, Regal Theatre, Perth
1996 The Cellophane Ceiling Twelfth Night Theatre
2001 Are You Being Served? Twelfth Night Theatre
Annie Get Your Gun
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

As director

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Year Title Role Type
2008 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Director Cavern Theatre Noosa, Cremorne Theatre

Personal life

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Bonner was married to Australian actress and model Nola Clark. One daughter, Chelsea Bonner, is the owner and director of a plus-size modelling agency.[8]

Bonner is patron of several charities including The Smith Family and the Wesley Mission suicide prevention program. He has also served on the board of the Variety Club and is Publicity Officer and past President of the Manly Life Saving Club.[citation needed]

In 2017 Bonner was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as an actor, to surf lifesaving, and to the community through charitable organisations.[9]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Tony Bonner, born Anthony Frederick Bonner on 23 November 1943 in Manly, , , is an Australian actor, singer, and photographer with a career spanning over five decades in television, film, and stage productions. Hailing from a show business family—his father, Frederick Bonner, was a musical theatre actor, and his mother, Josephine, a concert soprano—Bonner began performing early, taking and classes before landing his first major role as park ranger Jerry King in the iconic 1960s children's series (1968–1970), which brought him international fame. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bonner starred in prominent Australian television dramas such as Cop Shop (1979–1982) and Skyways (1979–1981), while also appearing in films including The Man from Snowy River (1982) as Kane and The Lighthorsemen (1987) as Major Bourchier. His Hollywood breakthrough came with the role of Dobkin in Tom Selleck's Western (1990). In addition to acting, Bonner pursued , releasing singles in the late , and later transitioned into professional , leveraging his on-set experience to capture images for exhibitions and personal projects. His contributions were recognized with the Member of the (AM) in the 2017 Australia Day Honours for significant service to the as an actor, to , and to the community through charitable organisations, along with a nomination for an Australian Film Institute Award in 2003 and other industry accolades.

Early life and education

Family background

Anthony Frederick Bonner was born on 23 November 1943 in Manly, a northern beach suburb of , , . His grandfather, James Bonner, served as Mayor of Manly and was the founding president of the Manly Life Saving Club, instilling in the family a strong sense of community involvement and local pride. Bonner's father, Frederick Bonner, was a prominent musical actor who performed baritone leads at Her Majesty's Theatre in , exposing the young Tony to the world of stage performance from an early age. His mother, Josephine Sheidow, was a concert soprano as well as a champion pool swimmer and competitor, blending artistic talent with athletic prowess in the family dynamic. Growing up in a theatrical , Bonner was immersed in an environment rich with performance and creativity, where his parents' professions naturally sparked his early interests in , dancing, and . This familial atmosphere provided foundational inspiration for his future pursuits in the , though he initially faced personal challenges like that contrasted with his siblings' achievements.

Early career pursuits

After leaving school, Tony Bonner took up employment in Sydney's retail sector as a window dresser, working for a company that supplied mannequins, materials, and equipment for displays. In the early , he was specifically tasked with dressing windows at the Bebarfalds , where his eye for symmetry and balance proved advantageous. Inspired by his family's involvement in the —his father, Frederick Bonner, was a musical at Her Majesty's in —Bonner pursued initial opportunities in , including participation in amateur productions during the early . He gained practical entry into the professional world by working as a dresser, assisting wardrobe for performers in evening shows at Her Majesty's , while studying singing and dance during the day. Bonner's professional acting debut occurred on stage in 1961, when he was 18 years old, beginning with minor appearances that built on his on-the-job experience and familial ties to the industry. Without formal drama school training, he honed his skills through these hands-on roles and connections via his father's established presence in Sydney's theatre scene. By the mid-1960s, Bonner shifted toward television opportunities, securing guest spots on Australian programs and laying the groundwork for his screen work.

Career

Acting

Tony Bonner's acting career began in the early and has spanned over six decades, showcasing his versatility in both leading and supporting roles across Australian television, film, and occasional international productions. His breakthrough came with the role of park ranger Jerry King in the children's adventure series (1968–1970), where he appeared in all 91 episodes, propelling him to national and international fame as a charismatic lead in Australian youth-oriented television. The series, filmed in the bushland near , highlighted Bonner's rugged appeal and established him as a household name, with the show's global syndication amplifying his early stardom. Throughout the , Bonner solidified his television presence with authoritative roles in police and dramas. In Cop Shop (1977–1978), he portrayed Senior Detective Don McKenna across 26 episodes, embodying the no-nonsense archetype in this long-running procedural series set in a fictional Victorian town. He followed this with the part of airport manager Paul MacFarlane in the airport Skyways (1979–1981), featuring in 83 episodes and demonstrating his ability to anchor ensemble casts in high-stakes, everyday scenarios. Transitioning to film in the 1980s, Bonner took on memorable supporting roles that underscored his range in period and genre pieces. In the iconic Australian Western The Man from Snowy River (1982), he played the stern station overseer Kane, contributing to the film's epic portrayal of frontier life and its status as a cultural touchstone. His international exposure came with a guest appearance as the enigmatic First Secretary Henry Claymore in the episode "One White Rose for Death" of Murder, She Wrote (1986), marking a rare foray into American television amid Cold War intrigue. In his later career, Bonner experienced a resurgence through independent Australian films, often portraying paternal or authoritative figures. He appeared as the family patriarch Mr. Kelly in the drama William Kelly's War (2014), a role that drew on his established to anchor the story of brothers enlisting in the Great War. This was followed by the thriller (2017), where he played Trevor, the reclusive father in a storm-ravaged coastal home invaded by fugitives, adding depth to the film's tense survival narrative. More recently, Bonner featured in the Handled (2023), a New York-set drama exploring relational conflict, continuing his engagement with concise, character-driven stories. As of 2025, no major new projects have been announced. Throughout these phases, Bonner's work has emphasized his adaptability in Australian media, from adventurous leads to nuanced supports, sustaining a prolific output over more than 60 years.

Music

Tony Bonner's early exposure to music stemmed from his family's theatrical background, with his mother serving as a concert who influenced his singing abilities from a young age. This foundation led to his initial forays into performance during the 1960s, including appearances on the Australian television program , where he shared the stage with of the . In 1968, capitalizing on his rising fame from the role of Jerry King in , Bonner released his debut album Introducing Australia's Tony Bonner on , featuring a cover of the ' "Wine and Women" alongside tracks like "Skippy" and "Fisher's Ghost." That same year, he issued a solo single, "Mystery Man," also on , though neither achieved significant commercial success. His discography remained limited, with additional recordings including demo tracks for , but no further major solo albums followed. Bonner's vocal talents found greater expression in musical theatre, where he leveraged his singing skills in several productions. He began in the chorus of Annie Get Your Gun under J.C. Williamson Productions, a role that highlighted his early stage presence, and later took featured parts in shows like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. These performances, along with occasional live music segments , underscored his versatility as a singer complementary to his career, though music remained a secondary pursuit.

Directing and teaching

Bonner made his directorial debut in 2008, helming a production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for Jally Productions at Cremorne Theatre, in which he also starred. He draws on skills honed during his career to guide performers in such behind-the-scenes capacities. For over two decades, Bonner has served as a teacher and mentor, conducting workshops, classes, and mentoring sessions in locations including , , and the Gold Coast. These privately held programs focus on training and motivating aspiring actors and models, leveraging his more than 60 years of professional experience in the . As of 2025, he continues to offer these educational opportunities regularly through his independent practice.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleDirector
1970EyewitnessThe AssassinRichard L. Franklin
1970You Can't Win 'Em AllJosh CoreyPeter Collinson
1971Creatures the World ForgotDavidDon Chaffey
1975Inn of the DamnedGreg SullivanTerry Bourke
1977The Mango TreeMark DaviesKevin James Dobson
1978Money MoversBlueyBruce Beresford
1982The Man from Snowy RiverKaneGeorge T. Miller
1987The LighthorsemenMajor Murray BourchierSimon Wincer
1990Quigley Down UnderDobkinSimon Wincer
1992Dead SleepDr. Jonathan HeckettAlec Mills
1992Hurricane SmithHoward FentonColin Budds
2003Liquid BridgeBob McCallumReuben Freeman
2014William Kelly's WarMr. KellyAnthony M. Wilkinson
2017LandfallBrianBrenton Spak
2018BeatsPaJenna Sutch
2022A Bird on the Balcony (short)PaulSuzanMarie
2023Handled (short)DonGlenn Fraser
2025KennedyJohn SadleirDarren K. Hawkins

Television

Tony Bonner's television work primarily featured lead and recurring roles in Australian drama series during the to , alongside select guest appearances in international productions. His early established him as a prominent figure in Australian broadcasting, leading to a series of high-profile engagements with production companies like and Fauna Productions. Bonner's contributions to television emphasized character-driven narratives in adventure, police, and genres, often portraying authoritative or heroic figures.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodesNotes
1968–1970Jerry King91Lead role as a park ranger and helicopter pilot; the series aired on in and achieved international syndication.
1971Jon1Guest appearance in the series co-starring and ; filmed in the UK.
1977–1978Cop ShopDetective Senior Constable Don McKenna26Regular role in the police drama produced by for Network Ten.
1977Chopper SquadFrank1Role in the pilot episode of the rescue drama series inspired by real-life NSW ambulance services.
1979–1980SkywaysPaul MacFarlane83Central role as airport manager in the produced by for .
1985Lieutenant Harold Armstrong5Supporting role in the miniseries co-produced by and Channel 4 UK.
1986First Secretary1Guest lead in the episode "One White Rose for Death" on in the .
1999Roger Lansdowne5Recurring guest role in the long-running soap on .
1999The Adventures of Young Bouchier1Guest role in the episode "Daredevils of the Desert," produced by for ABC.
2000S.A.S. 1Guest appearance in the series on SBS.
2002Martin Cook15Recurring role in the on Network Ten.
Following his extensive work in the late , Bonner has had limited television appearances in the , focusing more on film shorts and productions, with no major series credits reported through 2025.

Theatre

As performer

Tony Bonner's career as a performer encompassed a wide range of musicals and plays, primarily in Australian productions, spanning from the early to the 2000s. He began with supporting roles in prominent companies, leveraging his vocal talents developed through his parallel music career, before progressing to more prominent parts in both musicals and straight plays. His work often featured in major venues across , , , and national tours, contributing to the vibrancy of Australian theatre during key decades. In the early 1960s, Bonner debuted professionally at age 18 with the J.C. Williamson theatrical company, starting as a chorus member in musical revivals and supporting roles that showcased his and presence. Notable early credits included the chorus in the 1963 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, a production that marked his initial breakthrough in . He also appeared in The Sentimental Bloke (1964 Australian tour), where he performed as part of the Pickle Factory Men while doubling as manager. Other formative roles from this period encompassed , The Great Waltz, and revue sketches such as Hail Gloria Fitzpatrick and There Will Be an Interval of 16 Minutes at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre. Additionally, he performed in of the Sun (1964) at the of Arts. He starred in the Australian production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1964) mounted by J.C. Williamson, a role that highlighted his and vocals in ensemble numbers. By the 1970s, Bonner's stage work expanded to include lead and featured roles in comedic musicals, reflecting his growing prominence. In the and , Bonner focused on dramatic plays and adaptations, often in regional and touring contexts that brought to broader Australian audiences. He performed in Sydney-based productions like The Worst Woman in at the Music Hall and Love Letters with Seymour Productions, a that paired him opposite notable co-stars in intimate venues. In , at the 12th Night , he appeared in Only When I Laugh (1996), Blokes, and Cellophane Ceiling (1996). He took on a part in The Three Musketeers () with the Company. Into the 2000s, Bonner continued select stage engagements, including a performance role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with Jally Productions at Brisbane's Cremorne Theatre, emphasizing his versatility in ensemble-driven narratives, and his role in the stage version of Are You Being Served? (2001), which originated at the 12th Night Theatre and embarked on an Australian national tour, allowing him to perform in cities including and . These later appearances, often in Sydney and touring formats, underscored his enduring commitment to live theatre amid his screen commitments.

As director

Tony Bonner's directorial debut in theatre came with the stage adaptation of Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which he directed for Jally Productions in 2008. The production premiered on January 4 at the Cavern Theatre in Sunshine Beach, , before touring to venues including the (QPAC) in , , and Sanctuary Cove. Drawing from his extensive performing background, Bonner emphasized a dynamic interpretation of the drama, focusing on themes of rebellion and institutional control through careful casting and staging to heighten the play's tension. The production was noted for its powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of the story, adapted by , and received positive local attention for its engaging revival in regional Australian settings.

Personal life

Family

Tony Bonner was married to Australian actress and model Nola Clark from 1972 until their divorce in 1992. The couple had three daughters together: Chelsea, Skye, and Hannah. Their eldest daughter, Chelsea Bonner, born in 1974, has built a career in the fashion industry, founding and directing the plus-size modeling agency Bella Models in 2002 (later rebranded as Icon Management). As of 2024, Chelsea remains active in the industry as CEO of Icon Management, advocating against the rise of AI-generated models that she argues undermine human representation and diversity in fashion. She has also authored books on body positivity and modeling, drawing from her experiences growing up in an artistic family environment. Following his divorce, Bonner has not entered into any publicly documented subsequent marriages or long-term relationships. He maintains a close bond with his daughters and, as of 2023, is a grandfather to six grandchildren, with no further updates on family expansions reported through 2025. Bonner has spoken openly about the role his played in supporting him through personal challenges, including a period of struggles in the early when he sought treatment at a clinic, crediting their understanding as key to his recovery and ongoing resilience. This familial influence has contributed to his public candor regarding life's ups and downs, fostering a of perseverance in his later interviews.

Charitable work

Tony Bonner has been deeply involved in surf lifesaving, serving as president of the Manly Life Saving Club on three occasions and currently holding the position of House Committee Chair, where he promotes and in Sydney's coastal areas. He has also contributed to the Variety Club as a board member, supporting initiatives for children with disabilities through entertainment and fundraising efforts. As a dedicated philanthropist, Bonner serves as patron for several Australian charities focused on youth and , including The Smith Family, which aids underprivileged children's education; the Wesley Mission's program; and the Bonnie Babes Foundation, addressing sudden infant death syndrome (). He has been ' inaugural ambassador since the organization's founding in 1997, advocating for against and supporting community awareness campaigns. In recent years, up to 2024, Bonner has continued his ambassadorship for organizations such as Make-A-Wish , the Royal Hospital for Women, and Lifeforce , emphasizing support for vulnerable youth and families. In recognition of his contributions to alongside the and , Bonner was appointed a Member of the (AM) in the 2017 Honours. Through these efforts, he has cultivated a public image as a resilient , encouraging openness about personal and societal challenges to foster .

References

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