Bill Hunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Hunter
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| Born |
William John Hunter
27 February 1940 |
| Died | 21 May 2011 (aged 71) Kew, Victoria, Australia
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| Years active | 1957–2011 |
| Spouse(s) | Robbie Anderson (m. 1963–1973, divorced) Pat Bishop (m. 1976, divorced) Rhoda Roberts (m. 1993–1999, divorced) |
| Awards | Best Lead Actor in a Telefeature 1989 Police State Best Supporting Actor in a Film 1981 Gallipoli Best Actor in a Film 1978 Newsfront |
William John Hunter (born February 27, 1940 – died May 21, 2011) was a famous Australian actor. He worked in films, on stage, and on television. He was also well-known for his voice-over work, lending his voice to many characters. Bill Hunter appeared in over 60 movies and won two important awards called AFI Awards. He also received the Centenary Medal for his contributions.
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Early Life and Olympic Dreams
Bill Hunter was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. His parents were William and Francie Hunter. He had a brother named John and a sister named Marie Ann.
When he was a teenager, Bill was a champion swimmer. For a short time, he even held a world record for the 100 yards freestyle race! However, his record was broken just ten minutes later by another swimmer, John Devitt. Bill had qualified to join the Australian swimming team for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Sadly, he got sick with meningitis, which is a serious infection, and this stopped him from competing in the Olympics.
Becoming an Actor
Bill Hunter started his acting career in 1957 as an extra in the film The Shiralee. He met famous actress Ava Gardner, which helped him get a job as an extra and a swimming double in the Hollywood film On the Beach. This movie was being filmed in Melbourne. Bill said he was inspired to become an actor after watching one of the main actors do a scene 27 times. He thought he could do better!
He then took an intense drama course in Melbourne. In 1964, he traveled to England to try his luck in acting. There, he won a two-year scholarship to a respected acting school called the Northampton Repertory Company. In 1966, Bill made his first television appearance in two episodes of The Ark, which was part of the popular BBC television drama series Doctor Who.
After learning a lot about the acting world, Bill returned to Australia in 1967. He found new opportunities in television and feature films. He became known for playing strong, sometimes gruff, Australian characters. These characters often seemed tough on the outside but had a softer, more vulnerable side.
Notable Roles and Voice Work
Bill Hunter starred in many memorable movies. Some of his most famous roles include:
- Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
- Newsfront (1978)
- Gallipoli (1981)
- Strictly Ballroom (1992)
- Muriel's Wedding (1994)
- The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
- Australia (2008)
In 2007, he even returned to the stage to play the character of Bob in the Australian musical version of Priscilla.
Bill also used his voice for animated characters. He was the voice of the dentist in the popular movie Finding Nemo (2003). He also voiced Bubo in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010). His very last film role was in The Cup (2011).
Personal Life and Legacy
Bill Hunter was married three times. His first marriage was to Robbie Anderson from 1963 to 1973, and they had a son named James. He then married actress Pat Bishop in 1976. His third marriage was to artist and television presenter Rhoda Roberts, from 1993 until their divorce in 1999.
Bill was a supporter of the Australian Labor Party, a political group in Australia. He even appeared in one of their election advertisements in 1996.
On May 15, 2011, Bill Hunter was admitted to a hospice in Kew. He passed away from liver cancer on May 21, 2011, at the age of 71.
A special memorial service for Bill was held at Melbourne's Princess Theatre on May 26. His close friend and fellow actor Mick Molloy honored Bill Hunter at the 54th Logie Awards in April 2012.
Awards and Recognition
Bill Hunter received several important awards for his acting:
- In 1978, he won the AFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in Newsfront.
- In 1981, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Gallipoli.
- In 2001, he was honored with the Centenary Medal for his great contributions to acting in Australia.
In 2005, a painting of Bill Hunter by artist Jason Benjamin won the Packing Room Prize, which is part of the famous Archibald Prize art competition.
