Veteran actor Martin Vaughan, star of Aussie classic Phar Lap, passes away at 91
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Veteran actor Martin Vaughan, best known for Power Without Glory and Phar Lap, has died at the age of 91.
The Brisbane native, born in 1931, worked as a postman, tram conductor, and public servant, among other jobs.
He started his 50-year acting career in theatre at the age of 32.
Vaughan was often seen on stage and tv screens in the ‘60s and ‘70s appearing as an Aussie ‘battler’.
From theatres, he entered the television industry in 1967.
In 1975, he won an award for Best Performance by an Actor at the AFI Awards (the predecessor of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards) for his performance in Billy and Percy as former Prime Minister Billy Hughes.
He found his big break when he was cast as John West in ABC’s Power Without Glory, a series based on a novel by author Frank J. Hardy of the same name, telling the story of a man’s journey from the slums of Melbourne to national politics.
Vaughan’s portrayal of West earned him a Logie Award for Most Popular in 1977.
He was also a notable figure in the renaissance of the Australian film industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s, starring in notable films of the period including We of the Never Never and Hanging Rock.
Phar Lap was another iconic movie of Vaughan’s. He played horse trainer Harry Telford in the film, which centres on a young man and a thoroughbred horse’s story from a sorry, filth-covered creature to a champion stallion.
Vaughan’s performance earned him a nomination at the 1983 edition of the AACTA Awards for Best Actor.
Other works he appeared in include The Dismissal, Water Rats, All Saints, Mother & Son, Murder Call, Tales of the South Seas, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and Crownies.
His final appearance on telly screens was as Chief Judge in ABC’s 2010 series Rake.
By the twilight of his long and storied career in acting, he had also appeared in over 60 stage plays.
In 2013, he retired from acting. Up to his death, he spent his time writing.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and all those mourning his loss.
How do you remember Martin Vaughan best? Did any role he played strike you in particular?
Share your memories of him in the comments section below.
Source: YouTube/Unseen Trailers
The Brisbane native, born in 1931, worked as a postman, tram conductor, and public servant, among other jobs.
He started his 50-year acting career in theatre at the age of 32.
Vaughan was often seen on stage and tv screens in the ‘60s and ‘70s appearing as an Aussie ‘battler’.
Vaughan rose to fame with his portrayal of John West in Power Without Glory. Credit: YouTube/Gezza1967
From theatres, he entered the television industry in 1967.
In 1975, he won an award for Best Performance by an Actor at the AFI Awards (the predecessor of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards) for his performance in Billy and Percy as former Prime Minister Billy Hughes.
He found his big break when he was cast as John West in ABC’s Power Without Glory, a series based on a novel by author Frank J. Hardy of the same name, telling the story of a man’s journey from the slums of Melbourne to national politics.
Vaughan’s portrayal of West earned him a Logie Award for Most Popular in 1977.
He was also a notable figure in the renaissance of the Australian film industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s, starring in notable films of the period including We of the Never Never and Hanging Rock.
Phar Lap was another iconic movie of Vaughan’s. He played horse trainer Harry Telford in the film, which centres on a young man and a thoroughbred horse’s story from a sorry, filth-covered creature to a champion stallion.
Vaughan’s performance earned him a nomination at the 1983 edition of the AACTA Awards for Best Actor.
Other works he appeared in include The Dismissal, Water Rats, All Saints, Mother & Son, Murder Call, Tales of the South Seas, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and Crownies.
Vaughan was a cruel horse trainer in Phar Lap. Credit: YouTube/Unseen Trailers
His final appearance on telly screens was as Chief Judge in ABC’s 2010 series Rake.
By the twilight of his long and storied career in acting, he had also appeared in over 60 stage plays.
In 2013, he retired from acting. Up to his death, he spent his time writing.
How do you remember Martin Vaughan best? Did any role he played strike you in particular?
Share your memories of him in the comments section below.
Source: YouTube/Unseen Trailers
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