Tony Morphett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Morphett
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Tony Morphett in October 2011
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Anthony David Morphett
10 March 1938 Granville, New South Wales, Australia
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| Died | 2 June 2018 (aged 80) Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Years active | 1964–2018 |
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Anthony David Morphett (born March 10, 1938 – died June 2, 2018) was a famous Australian writer. He was best known for creating or helping to create many popular Australian TV shows. Some of these include Blue Heelers, Water Rats, and Sky Trackers.
Tony Morphett wrote eight novels and helped write seven movies. He also wrote many TV mini-series and hundreds of TV show episodes. He won 14 awards for his amazing TV writing.
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Tony Morphett's Writing Career
Tony Morphett started his career in 1956 at a newspaper called The Daily Telegraph. He worked there as a copy-boy and a junior reporter.
In 1957, he moved to the ABC, which is a big Australian broadcasting company. For ten years, he worked in their Talks Department. During this time, he also published his first novels.
He became a full-time writer in 1968, focusing mostly on TV shows and movies. Tony Morphett was also part of important groups that helped writers and children's TV. He was on the board of the Australia Council's literature section from 1977 to 1981. He also served on the board of the Australian Children's Television Foundation for eight years.
What Were Tony Morphett's Biggest Achievements?
Tony Morphett wrote the scripts for several well-known movies. These include The Shiralee, The Last Wave, and Robbery Under Arms.
He also created or co-created some of Australia's most loved TV series. These include the police drama Blue Heelers, the crime show Water Rats, and the drama Certain Women.
Tony Morphett's Personal Life
Tony Morphett was married twice. His first marriage was to Betty Savage in 1962. They had three children together: Daniel, Benjamin, and Anna. They later divorced in 1968.
In 1969, he married Inga Hunter. They had two children, Emma and Sarah. Tony and Inga lived together in the beautiful Blue Mountains area, which is west of Sydney. They shared their home with several cats.
When Did Tony Morphett Pass Away?
In 2007, Tony Morphett became ill with the flu. This led to a heart problem that made his heart weaker.
On June 2, 2018, Tony Morphett passed away at Katoomba Hospital. He was surrounded by his family when he died. His death was caused by heart failure, which was related to his earlier illness.
Tony Morphett's TV and Film Credits
- A Place to Call Home (1 episode 2013)
- Serangoon Road (1 episode 2013)
- Packed to the Rafters (3 episodes 2009–2010)
- The Legend of Enyo (2 episodes 2010)
- Sea Patrol (6 episodes, 2007–2008)
- Rain Shadow (2 episodes, 2007)
- Blue Heelers (510 episodes, 1994–2006)
- MDA (1 episode, 2002)
- Young Lions (3 episodes, 2002)
- Balmain Boys (2002) (TV) (written by)
- Water Rats (171 episodes, 1996–2001)
- Above the Law (7 episodes, 2000)
- Don't Look Behind You (1999) (TV) (teleplay)
- Kings in Grass Castles (1998) TV mini-series (writer)
- 13 Gantry Row (1998) (TV) (written by)
- Mirror, Mirror (1995) TV series (unknown episodes)
- Heartbreak High (1 episode, 1994)
- The Seventh Floor (1994) (written by)
- Sky Trackers (1994) TV series (unknown episodes)
- Crimebroker (1993) (TV) (written by)
- Secrets (1993) TV series (unknown episodes)
- G.P. (6 episodes, 1991–1992)
- Tracks of Glory (1992) TV mini-series (writer)
- Sweet Talker (1991) (story) (written by)
- Sky Trackers (1990) (TV) (written by)
- Bangkok Hilton (1989) TV mini-series (story)
- Boys in the Island (1989) (written by)
- The Dirtwater Dynasty (1988) TV mini-series (writer)
- The Flying Doctors (10 episodes, 1986–1988)
- The Shiralee (1987) TV mini-series (writer)
- The Riddle of the Stinson (1987) (TV) (written by)
- Dark Age (1987) (screenplay)
- My Brother Tom (1986) TV mini-series (writer)
- Land of Hope (1986) TV series (writer)
- Robbery Under Arms (1985) (writer)
- Winners (1985) TV series (episode 3 "Quest Beyond Time")
- The Flying Doctors (1985) TV mini-series (writer)
- A Country Practice (5 episodes, 1982–1983)
- Under Capricorn (1983) TV mini-series (writer)
- Patrol Boat (1979) TV series (unknown episodes)
- Skyways (2 episodes)
- The Oracle (1979) TV series (unknown episodes)
- The John Sullivan Story (1979) (TV) (written by)
- Against the Wind (1978) TV mini-series (unknown episodes)
- Chopper Squad (2 episodes, 1978)
- Case for the Defence (1 episode, 1978)
- The Last Wave (1977) (screenplay)
- Glenview High (1 episode, 1977)
- The Young Doctors TV series (1976) (writer)
- The Sullivans (1976) TV series (writer)
- Luke's Kingdom (1976) TV mini-series (writer)
- The Alternative (1976) (TV) (written by)
- The Seven Ages of Man (1 episode, 1975)
- The Story of the First Christmas (1975) (TV) (script)
- Elephant Boy (1973) TV series (unknown episodes)
- Boney (5 episodes, 1972–1973)
- Certain Women (1973) TV series (creator)
- The Evil Touch (1 episode, 1973)
- Catwalk (6 episodes, 1971–1972)
- Dynasty (13 episodes, 1969–1971)
- Delta (2 episodes, 1969–1970)
- The Long Arm (2 episodes, 1970)
- The Link Men
- Australian Plays (1969)
- Australian Playhouse
Tony Morphett's Books
- Mayor's Nest (1964) (novel)
- Fitzgerald (1965) (novel)
- Dynasty (1967) (novel)
- Thorskald (1969) (novel)
- Quest Beyond Time (1985) (science fiction)
- The Distant Home (1993) (science fiction)
- A Hole in my Ceiling (1985) (non-fiction)
- Starship Home (2013) (science fiction)
Awards Tony Morphett Won
- 1970 Awgie Award: For his work on Delta (episode 19).
- 1970 Penguin Award: For scriptwriting for the Dynasty play.
- 1971 Logie Award: Best Scriptwriter.
- 1971 Penguin Award: For scriptwriting for Dynasty (episode 12).
- 1971 Awgie Award: Best Script For A TV Drama Series for Dynasty (episode 5).
- 1972 Logie Award: Best Scriptwriter, for Dynasty.
- 1978 Sammy Award: Best writer for a TV series.
- 1989 Awgie Award: For "The Damage Done".
- 2002 Awgie Award: For "Letting Go" (an episode of Blue Heelers).
