Ken James (Australian actor)

Ken James (born 16 November 1948) is an Australian actor and celebrity chef. He is most widely known to Australian and international audiences as Sonny's older brother Mark Hammond in the 1960s children's TV show, Skippy.[1] Since his debut in Skippy, James continued to work in the film industry for another 36 years. In December 2009, James was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which escalated to stage four by 2011.[2] James started chemotherapy, and as of November 2020 the cancer is in recession. James was also actively involved in the Victorian Police Force as an unsworn member from 1993 to 2013.[3]

Ken James
Born (1948-11-16) 16 November 1948
NationalityAustralian
OccupationActor
Years active1964-2000
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Partner(s)Rosemarie Stuhlener
Websitewww.kenjames.com.au

Early life and education

Front of Cleveland Street Boys High School, where Ken James graduated from high school - December 2009

James was born in Sydney on 16th November 1948 and finished his schooling at Cleveland Street Boys High School.[4] In January 1982, Cleveland Street Boys High School merged with Waterloo High School, to form Cleveland Street High School, which became a community school in December 2001 and renamed Alexandria Park Community School.[5] On the original ground of Cleveland Street Boys High School, a $135 million[6] public school, Inner Sydney High School is in development, with stage two building works continuing in November 2020. Inner Sydney High School opened for Year 7 students on Day 1 Term 1 2020.[7] During his time at school, James became particularly interested in school plays, which acted as an impetus to join the acting industry. At the age of 12, a neighbour showed him an advertisement in a newspaper calling for young child actors/models to join the agency. The same year, in 1960, James appeared in the children’s drama The Adventurers produced for ATN-7 Sydney as his first acting role.[8]

Career

James has acted in multiple film roles, TV series, musicals and theatre plays, as well as appearing on various game and news shows. After Skippy had ended in 1970, James was still on a contract with Fauna Productions for another 12 months, and was cast to play Kip Young in Barrier Reef in 1971. James had his 21st birthday during the production of the TV show.[9]

Once Barrier Reef had ended after 1 season, James had recurring roles as television actor Tony Wild in The Box from 1974 to 1977, Tom Walker in Glenview High from 1977 to 1979, air traffic controller Simon Young in Skyways from 1979 to 1980, and Mike O'Brien in Sons and Daughters from 1984 to 1985.[10][11] He has also appeared in Matlock Police, Pugwall, Prisoner, and made guest appearances in multiple other TV shows.[11]

James is passionate about cooking and has worked on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton for over 10 years as a celebrity chef. He was also involved in the marketing campaign of the cooking aid Ecopot.[12][13]

James worked as a drama tutor at the Australian Television Academy for 10 years, and also as a Master of Ceremonies for the Royal Children's hospital, weddings and private functions after a friend John Knowles suggested it and put an ad in the yellow pages. James didn't receive much work as an MC, although he was the Master of Ceremonies for John Knowles' remarriage wedding.[14]

James worked as an adjudicator at the Ararat One Act Play Festival in August 2013, awarding first prize to Erica Smith and Jeanette and Meg Dunn, who performed Snuffuff's Emporium of Odds, Sods and Collectibles at Nuworks Theatre.[15]

In August 2013, James was involved in the filming of a comedic advertisement for Sport Rider Pride Mobility Scooter on the original grounds of the Skippy set, Sydney's Waratah Park. The comedic advert involved James hurting his back while repairing a motor bike in front of the Ranger's headquarters. Geoff Harvey then rides into the scene on a Pride Mobility Scooter and convinces James to try riding it. James' on scene grandson tells James and Harvey that 'Jerry' is at the gate and needs help, before the two drive off scene on mobility scooters.[16][17]

James' last acting role was in the play Ladies Night in 2012 alongside Steven Tandy and Alli Pope produced by Jally Entertainment. The Australia tour of the play was 6 months long, and began with a fundraiser Gympie, Queensland for the charity Little Haven. After the initial fundraiser, the cast went on to perform in 52 other locations including:

Queensland locations Gympie, Logan, Noosa, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Capella, Mackay, Proserpine, Cairns, Ingham, Charters Towers, Ayr, Gladstone, Biloela, Boonah, Ipswich and Redcliffe

New South Wales locations Tenterfield, Quirindi, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Narrabri, Dubbo, Gulgong, Bathurst, Griffith, Broken Hill, Orange, Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Coffs Harbour and Redlands

Victoria locations Benalla, Swan Hill, Horsham, Werribee, Rosebud, and Bendigo

South Australia locations Hilton, Tanunda, Marion, Gawler and Golden Grove

Western Australia locations Esperance, Bruce Rock, Bunbury, Gosnells, Carnarvon, Shark Bay, Geraldton, Moora, Mandurah and Katanning.[18]

After the conclusion of the Ladies Night tour, James directed Calendar Girls for Jally Entertainment in January and February 2013.[9][19]

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo

At the age of 16, 4 years after joining the acting industry, James was cast as Mark Hammond in the pilot episode of the classic Australian TV show Skippy. Despite this, the series had not been confirmed at the time. At the same time, James had also been offered a scholarship to the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), which he accepted. James left NIDA after 4 days as the Skippy series had been confirmed. He then began playing Mark Hammond for Skippy over the next 3 and a half years, starring in 91 episodes. Skippy was then screened in 128 countries and is still screened around the world today. James's co-star Garry Pankhurst was cast as Sonny in Skippy at the age of 10 and left the acting industry after the show had finished 3 years later, as he was overwhelmed by the adulation received from being a child actor. Despite this, James still praises Pankhurst, saying "The camera loved him, and he was very photogenic. He also had a photographic memory; he could look at a page of dialogue and get it down like "bang". He was extremely natural."[8]

James and other cast members of Skippy were not paid residuals from the TV show. Because of this, Tony Bonner had a falling out with the producers and moved to England to continue working in the acting industry. James has also expressed his own distress of not being paid residuals from the producers of Skippy.[9]

The debut of Skippy was seen as widely controversial in a 1968 context, following the assassination of Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King. James believes this was because "We [Australia] weren’t that sophisticated, quite frankly, when you look at the world stage."[8]

Personal life

James has two children from his first marriage of 24 years, Adrian (born 1973) and Becky (born 1977). In 2001, James met Rosemarie Stuhlener (born 1950), a retired Telstra manager who lives in Geelong, and the two were engaged in 2003. James and Stuhlener were married in 2011.[2][20] James and Stuhlener do not live with each other and do not intend to, making them a 'Living-apart-together' (LAT) couple.[21][22]

James has made contributions to multiple charities including Life Education, Variety, and Bali’s Jodie O’Shea Orphanage.[2]

James was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009 after he noticed a lump on his neck while shaving.[20] This cancer then escalated to stage 4 and spread to his bones in 2011, requiring radiotherapy and chemotherapy in order to be treated. James began a chemotherapy course in April 2011 and is now cancer-free, after successfully completing chemotherapy. His diagnosis followed the cancer death of former Skippy cast member Ed Devereaux (oesophagus) in December 2003, and the diagnoses of other Skippy cast members Liza Goddard (breast) and Tony Bonner (prostate) in 1997 and 2004 respectively.[23][24]

Involvement in the Victorian Police Force

James was involved in the Victorian Police Force as an unsworn police officer for over 20 years, from 1993 to 2013. He originally assisted the Victorian Police Force in Detective Training School through role-playing in crime re-enactments. James played a bank manager who was robbed, as well as a witness to a sexual assault. James believes in 'the thin blue line', and after asking, was later given permission by the Chief Commissioner of the Victorian Police Force at the time, Neil Comrie, to give a 1-hour pro bono lecture on police and detective communication skills with the public and motivation, which he delivered from 1993 to 2013. James has received multiple certificates of appreciation from the Victorian Police Force in regard to his lectures on communication and motivation.[3]

Filmography

Television performances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1968 - 1970 Skippy Mark Hammond Recurring role [9]
1970 Dynasty Ted Morris Season 1 Episode 4 [11]
1971 The Group Mark Sebel [11]
1971 Barrier Reef Kip Young Recurring role [25]
1972 Matlock Police Peter Ward Episode: "Bury Them Together" [11]
1972 Matlock Police David Episode: "Cheeky Charlie" [11]
1972 Division 4 Ted Johnson Episode: "To Bribe or Twist" [11]
1973 Matlock Police Peter Ward Episode: "Big C Blues" [11]
1973 Division 4 Paul Cooper Episode: "Take Over" [11]
1973 Division 4 Ben Davis Episode: "Inside Information" [11]
1974 - 1977 The Box Tony Wild Recurring role [26]
1976 Sidestreet Episode: Assault [11]
1977 - 1979 Glenview High Tom Walker Recurring role [27]
1978 Catspaw Nuggett [28]
1978 Cop Shop Larry Walker Season 1 Episode 93 [29]
1979 - 1980 Skyways Simon Young Recurring role [30]
1981 Bellamy Rego [11]
1983 Prisoner Barry Simmons [11]
1984 - 1985 Sons and Daughters Mike O'Brien Recurring role [31]
1989 - 1991 Pugwall Frank 'Herohead' Wall [11]
1993 Time Trax Sgt. Davis [11]
1994 Blue Heelers Mathew Balfour Season 1 Episode 38 [32]
2000 Blue Heelers Keith Herbert Season 7 Episode 37 [33]
Film performances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1966 Illegal Abortion [34]
1966 They're a Weird Mob Bellboy at King's Cross Hotel [35]
1969 The Intruders Mark Hammond 'Skippy' spin-off feature film [36]
1972 A Fan's Notes Joey, the bartender [11]
1975 The Box Tony Wild Feature film [11]
1981 Silence of the North The Salesman [37]
1983 Moving Targets Jimmy [11]
1984 Change of Heart Bob [11]
Self appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1972 Split Second Self - Host Game show [11]
1977 The Celebrity Game Self [11]
1993 The Late Show Self The D-Generation reunion [11]
1993 Good Morning Australia Self - Budget Chef [38]
2003 Micallef Tonight Self [11]
2003 Which Way Did They Go, Skip? Self Video documentary short [11]
2009 Skippy: Australia's First Superstar Self / Mark Hammond TV Movie documentary [39]
2015 Millionaire Hot Seat Self - Contestant [11]
2018 The Friday Show Self - Panellist, Actor [11]
Theatre performances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
Anything Goes New Zealand Musical [40]
1981 Jack and the Beanstalk Northland Shopping Centre Theatre, Preston, Victoria [40]
1985 Rocky Horror Show Australia Tour (Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, New South Wales) Musical, over 1 month long tour [41]
1991 The Adman Victoria (Frankston, Geelong, Southbank) 3 performances [41]
1993 The Adman Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli, Sydney [41]
1993 I'm not Rappaport Playhouse, Melbourne, Victoria [41]
1994 Pushin' Up Daisies Napier Street Theatre, South Melbourne, Victoria [41]
2001 Invasion From A Planet with No Special Effects Studio 1B, Glebe, New South Wales [41]
2004 Previously On Newtown Theatre, Newtown, New South Wales [41]
2005 Ten Part Invention - Five Bells Suite The Studio (Sydney Opera House), Sydney, New South Wales [41]
2012 Ladies Night Australia Tour 6 month tour presented by Jally Entertainment, Based on The Full Monty [42][2]

References

  1. Colin Vickery (11 September 2009). Different paths, but Skippy actors bonded by a landmark television series. heraldsun.com.au
  2. Bennet, Craig (2011). "How Love is Helping Me Conquer Cancer" (PDF). New Idea Magazine. pp. 43–44. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  3. SKIPPY THE BUSH KANGAROO, retrieved 19 November 2020
  4. "The Box Ken James". tourismo.pl. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  5. "Cleveland Street High School (1982-2001) / Alexandria Park Community School (2001- )". Research Data Australia. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  6. Baker, Jordan (29 January 2020). "How a dinner party chat led to a $135 million high school". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  7. "Inner Sydney High School". @NSWDepartmentofEducation. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  8. Schober, Adrian (August 2020). "'Skippy the Bush Kangaroo' revisited: Tony Bonner and Ken James on an Iconic Australian TV show". Metro Magazine: Media & Education Magazine (205): 104–107.
  9. Jun 1, TV Flashback |; Interviews, 2020 | (31 May 2020). "Ken James: Skippy". TV Flashback. Retrieved 17 November 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. Andrew Mercado (1 November 2004). Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows. Pluto Press. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-1-86403-191-1. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  11. Ken James (I). IMDb.com
  12. "Classic TV stars roll into town". Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  13. "Bush Cooking versus Fine Cuisine - Cook off Ranger Nick and Ken James - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  14. Money, Interviews by Lawrence (16 September 2014). "Ken James and John Knowles: 'We have a lot of laughs'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  15. "One act plays well received". The Ararat Advertiser. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  16. August 22; 2013 - 12:00AMDailyTelegraph (21 August 2013). "Skipping into TV history". dailytelegraph. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  17. "Skippy Ken James Geoff Harvey Pride Mobility Scooters - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  18. "Ladies Night on Tour: Postcard | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  19. "Calendar Girls". My Sunshine Coast. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  20. Lawrence Money (26 December 2009). Another beautiful Melbourne day, and not taken for granted, The Age
  21. Griffin, Michelle (18 April 2011). "One love, two hearths: let's not get together and we'll feel all right". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  22. Reimondos, Anna (April 2011). "Living-apart-together (LAT) relationships in Australia". Family Matters. 87: 43–55 via Australian Institute of Family Studies.
  23. "Skippy actor battles stage four cancer". www.heraldsun.com.au. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  24. "International actor Tony Bonner connected closely to home". Seniors News. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  25. "Barrier Reef". www.classicaustraliantv.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  26. "The Box (1975) - The Screen Guide - Screen Australia". www.screenaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  27. "Glenview High". www.classicaustraliantv.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  28. Austlit. "Catspaw | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  29. "Australian Television: Cop Shop: episode guide: volume 4". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  30. "Australian Television: Skyways". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  31. "Sons and Daughters Website - Cast List - Character Order". www.sonsanddaughters.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  32. "Australian Television: Blue Heelers: episode guide: series 1 (1994)". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  33. "Australian Television: Blue Heelers: episode guide: series 7 (2000)". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  34. "Illegal Abortion (1966)". BFI. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  35. "Add your review User reviews for They're a Weird Mob (1966) on ASO - Australia's audio and visual heritage online". aso.gov.au. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  36. "Skippy guest stars". NSFA. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  37. "Ken James | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  38. Knox, David. "Memories of Good Morning Australia | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  39. "Skippy cast reflect". NSFA. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  40. "Ken James | Biography | Music Minder". www.musicminder.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  41. "AusStage". www.ausstage.edu.au. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  42. "Ladies Night on Tour: Postcard | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 18 November 2020.


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