Roger Oakley

Roger Oakley (born 21 August 1943) is a New Zealand-born Australian actor and theatre director noted for his performances in television serials, mini-series, and television films. He is also active as a theatre performer and voice-over. Oakley has been a professional working actor for over 50 years. His best known roles include original character of foster father Tom Fletcher in Home and Away between 1988–1990, and controversial politician Doug Rutherford in Something in the Air. Oakley appeared in his only feature film role in 1977 in his native New Zealand in the movie Sleeping Dogs starring Sam Neill, but has appeared in numerous telemovies and mini-series including the 12-part serial The Damnation of Harvey McHugh.[1]

Roger Oakley
Born (1943-08-21) 21 August 1943
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Occupation
  • Actor
  • theatre director
  • voice-over
Years active1967–present
Known for

Early life

Oakley was born in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand on 21 August 1943 and had a regular suburban upbringing. After leaving Auckland Grammar School, he studied languages in New Zealand, before moving to England and appearing on the stage. He emigrated to Australia in 1978, carving out a successful screen career, although he has continued to appear in stage roles, a genre he has been a regular performer of since the late 1960s[2]

Career

Television and stage

Oakley joined the cast of the high rating period drama soap The Sullivans as Major Barrington. He also appeared in The John Sullivan Story, a spin-off from The Sullivans. He has appeared in numerous mini-series and television movies.

He is best known as an original cast member of Home and Away, playing foster father Tom Fletcher from 1988 to 1990, opposite co-star Vanessa Downing who originated the part of wife Pippa Fletcher.[3] He made briefly a guest appearance in 2008. His other role was as Doug Rutherford in Something in the Air in 2000.

Other TV credits include: Cop Shop, Prisoner, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Heelers, The Young Doctors and Neighbours. As of 2020, he remains active in the industry. He featured in the stage productions of My Fair Lady, The NightWatchman, Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, and The Golden Dragon by contemporary German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig. He also appeared in the television series Underbelly and Winners and Losers.

Film

Film roles include Sara Dane, Travelling North, The Far Country and The Last of the Ryan's.

Filmography
Year Title Role
1978The SullivansMajor Barrington
1977Sleeping DogsAssassin leader
1977The McKenzie AffairSidebottom
1977Hunters GoldCameron
1978Against the WindFather Dixon
1978Cop ShopDick Davies/Peter Miller
1979SkywaysJoe D, Angelo
1979The John Sullivan StoryMajor Barrington
1982Sons and DaughtersDr. Parker
1982Sara DaneMajor Foveaux
1982Women of the SunMr. Johnson
1983PrisonerChris Young
1982–1984A Country PracticeChilla Yates / Bill Young
1984Eureka StockadeScobie
1987Travelling NorthStan
1987The Flying DoctorsBert Webster
1987Ground ZeroCommercial director
1988The Far CountryImmigration officer
1988–1990, 2008Home and AwayTom Fletcher
1990Motormouthunknown
1994The Damnation of Harvey McHughBernard
1995CorrelliJack Glennen
1996Shark Bay
1997Hercules: The Legendary JourneyKing Xenon
1997The Last of the RyansJustice Starke
1997Good Guys Bad GuysRon "Maddog" Morello
1998Halifax f.p.Frank Bailey
1998State CoronerBarry Randall
1999DuggenBrigadier Endacott
1999Joe WilkinsonMr. Wilkinson
2000Blue HeelersRuss Cavell
2000–2002Something in the AirDoug Rutherford
2006Court of Lonely Royals
2007Blue HeelersSam Curtis
2008NeighboursJim Parker
2008The Hollowmen
2008SatisfactionGreg
2009My Year Without SexNatalie's Father
2011Underbelly Files: The Man That Got Awaycustoms officer
2011GameSimon
2011The Last WaltzLiam
2013Winners and LosersUncle Pat O'Keefe
2017UtopiaChairman of Independent Board
2017Serving Joyunknown role
2019GlitchMike

References
  1. "Australian Screen".
  2. "Roger Oakley". AusStage.
  3. Oliver, Robin (11 January 1988). "Guide preview – Home and Away". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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