Reg Quartly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reg Quartly
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| Born |
Reginald Francis Quartly
19 March 1912 England
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| Died | 26 April 1983 (aged 71) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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| Occupation | Comic actor |
| Television | Captain Fortune Show |
Reginald Francis Quartly (born March 19, 1912 – died April 26, 1983) was a much-loved Australian comedian and actor. He was born in England and became famous in Australia. Reg Quartly entertained audiences for over 50 years. He performed on stage, in movies, on radio, and on television. He was especially known for his funny roles and for making children happy.
Contents
Reg Quartly: Australia's Beloved Entertainer
Early Life and First Performances
Reginald Francis Quartly was born in England on March 19, 1912. His parents were Percival Francis and Lydia Elizabeth Quartly. When Reg was 10 years old, his family moved to New Zealand.
Reg began his career as a professional entertainer very early. At just 11 years old, he performed for the first time in Auckland. He sang a song called "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" and won 10 shillings. This was a great start! He then performed at the theatre for ten weeks. After that, he toured New Zealand for two years, showing off his talents.
Stage and Film Adventures in Australia
Around age 16, Reg Quartly moved to Sydney, Australia. There, he joined the big musical shows of Sir Benjamin Fuller. He performed at famous places like the Tivoli Theatre. This was Sydney's most popular variety theatre at the time. He also appeared at the Empire Theatre in Haymarket. In 1928, he acted in a play called Top Hole with another famous performer, Fred Bluett.
In the same year, Reg Quartly appeared in a silent film called Trooper O'Brien. This movie was about the Ned Kelly period in Australian history. Reg played the role of Moori, an Aboriginal child. He also acted in The Cheaters, a silent film from 1930. This movie was later updated to include sound.
In 1933, Reg performed as a comedian in several plays at the Tivoli Theatre in Broken Hill. These plays included Walter George's Sunshine Players and Keep Smilin. During the Second World War, Reg helped cheer up soldiers. He entertained Australian, New Zealand, and American troops in the South Pacific war zones.
In the 1950s, he continued acting in musical theatre shows in Sydney. He appeared in productions like Love's a Luxury and Dick Whittington and His Cat. He also played the Baroness de Bluffe in Cinderella in 1957.
Bringing Joy Through Television and Radio
When television started in Australia in the 1950s, Reg Quartly was one of the first stars. He regularly appeared on the Captain Fortune Show. This was a very popular children's program on Sydney's ATN-7, starting in 1957. On the show, he played a funny clown character named "Uncle Reg" or "Uncle Reggie."
From 1962, he worked on another children's program called The Town of Make Believe. This show grew out of the Captain Fortune Show. Reg, known as "Uncle Reg Quartly," helped host the program. In 1966, The Town of Make Believe changed its name to Fun Fair. Reg Quartly took on the main role in this new show.
He also played a character called Auntie Flo on the ABN-2 program Partyland. Reg Quartly spent many years making people laugh on Sydney radio stations. He worked on 2KY for 30 years and 2UE for 15 years. On Radio 2UW in 1941, he had a program called Mr. Pickwick Presents. In this show, he brought characters from Charles Dickens's novels to life. Around the same time, he helped write a song called "Chins up high." He also appeared in the comedy series Archie in Australia on ABC radio in 1957.
A Lasting Impact on Australian Entertainment
Reg Quartly played a very important part in the early days of children's television in Australia. A newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, even called him a "Pied Piper." This means he was someone who could charm and lead children. In the middle of the 20th century, his fans included people of all ages. Grandparents remembered him from his stage and radio shows. Their grandchildren loved watching him on television. He truly connected with different generations.
Reg Quartly's Family and Community Spirit
Reg Quartly was married to Betty. They had five children and seven grandchildren. The family lived in the Sydney suburbs of Punchbowl and Ashfield for many years.
Reg was also very kind and gave back to his community. Every week, he performed for charity events. He supported places like the North Rocks Centre for Deaf and Blind Children. He also often opened and hosted local events, such as fetes and pet shows. He passed away on April 26, 1983, at the age of 71.
Recognitions and Awards
In 1976, Reg Quartly was honored for his work. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his great contributions to the performing arts.
