Bill Collins (television presenter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Collins
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|---|---|
| Born |
William Roderick Collins
4 December 1934 Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
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| Died | 20 June 2019 (aged 84) |
| Other names | Mr Movies |
| Occupation | Film critic and historian, radio and television presenter, journalist, author and lecturer |
| Years active | 1963–2018 |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Collins |
William Roderick Collins OAM (born December 4, 1934 – died June 20, 2019) was a much-loved Australian film critic. He was also a film historian, radio and television presenter, and author. Many people knew him as "Mr. Movies." He was famous for showing classic Hollywood films on TV in Australia.
Bill Collins especially loved movies from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood. His absolute favorite film was Gone with the Wind. He worked with Network 10 in the 1980s and 1990s, presenting Bill Collins' Golden Years of Hollywood. Later, he joined Foxtel and showed movies on FOX Classics from 1995 to 2018.
Contents
Who Was Bill Collins?
Early Life and Education
Bill Collins was born in Sutherland, a suburb of Sydney. His father was a policeman, and his mother was a school teacher. He went to Canterbury Boys' High School.
He later studied at the University of Sydney. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin. He also received a Diploma of Education and a Master of Education.
From Teacher to TV Star
Bill Collins first worked as an English teacher. He taught at East Hills Boys High School and his old school, Canterbury Boys' High School. He also lectured at Sydney Teachers College. But his true passion was movies.
In the early 1960s, he started writing film reviews. This led him to become a film presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He then moved to TCN Channel 9, working there from 1967 to 1974. After that, he worked at ATN Channel 7 from 1975 to 1979. In 1980, he joined Channel Ten to present movies across Australia.
His Love for Movies on TV
Bill Collins was well-known for his huge excitement about films. His TV shows often included a short review of the movie and its actors. He would talk about how the film was made and its music. He also shared personal stories and quotes from filmmakers he had met.
From 1995 until his retirement in 2018, he presented films for the Foxtel channel FOX Classics. His fame even allowed him to appear in TV shows and movies. He had small roles in Prisoner (1985) and Howling III (1987).
Beyond Television
Besides his TV work, Bill Collins also taught at the University of Sydney. He lectured on film and related topics. In 1987, he wrote a book called Bill Collins Presents "The Golden Years of Hollywood". It was a collection of his film reviews and essays.
Bill's Personal Life
Bill Collins met his wife, Joan, in 1983 when he was 48 years old. They lived in Vincentia, New South Wales, and later in Winmalee, New South Wales. In 2005, they moved to a large house in Berry, New South Wales. They sold this house in 2017.
Bill Collins passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 20, 2019.
Awards and Special Honours
Bill Collins received several important awards for his work.
- In 1987, he was given the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This award recognized his great contributions to film and television.
- In 2009, he was added to the Logies Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for people who have made a big impact on Australian television.
- In 2013, he received the first-ever ASTRA Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrated his long and successful career in the entertainment industry.
