Tony Ward (Australian actor)

Tony Ward
Born	Anthony John Ward 1924 Sydney
Died	9 May 2006 Lady Davidson Hospital, Turramurra, New South Wales
Cause of death	Cancer
Other names	Anthony John Ward
Occupation	Television personality

Anthony "Tony" John Ward (1924 – 9 May 2006) was an Australian television actor, director and producer and journalist. He is regarded as Australian television's original action star, on Hunter, and was an inaugural reporter on two national current affairs programs, Seven Days and A Current Affair.

Anthony John Ward was born in Sydney. His father was a public servant. He was educated at a Catholic primary school before going to Parramatta Marist High School, and then became a trainee radiographer at Lewisham Hospital in 1942.

After World War II, he developed an interest in theatre and acted in and directed productions for several Australian and New Zealand companies, including J. C. Williamson and Garnett H. Carroll. He appeared with actors such as Robert Morley, Emlyn Williams, John McCallum, and Googie Withers.

However, he realised the potential of television and joined Channel 9 in Adelaide soon after television began there in 1959. He worked as a producer and director, and also appeared as a newsreader and in advertisements. He became the first television reporter for Channel 7's Seven Days program and then joined Bill Peach on Channel 10's Telescope current affairs program.

In 1966, Crawford Productions chose him for the title role of Hunter, their new James Bond-style action series. He said of this role: "Hunter was a project which fired my imagination. I had no doubts about giving up a good career in current affairs for an opportunity like this – it was Heaven sent." He starred opposite Gerard Kennedy who played his arch enemy. The series rated highly and he travelled around Australia and overseas on location, performing many of his own stunts. He left the series after disagreements with Crawfords, particularly over the quality of the later scripts. He said, "The firm has shown initiative, courage and ambition and has made a valiant effort ... But 39 episodes of Hunter this year was far too ambitious. This outstripped the ability of the scriptwriters."

...
Wikipedia