Tony Bonner

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Tony Bonner
birthdate = birth date and age|df=yes|1943|11|23
birthname =
birthplace = flagicon|AUSManly, New South Wales

Tony Bonner (born 23 November 1943) is an Australian television, film and stage actor and singer.

Early life

Bonner was born in Manly, New South Wales, a northern beach suburb of Sydney. His grandfather, James Bonner, was a former Mayor of Manly and founding President of the Manly Life Saving Club. His father, Frederick Bonner, was a musical comedy actor at Her Majesty's Theatre in Sydney.

After leaving school he started work for a company supplying mannequins and other equipment for window dressing. He also worked part time in his father's theatre as a wardrobe attendant, fostering his interest in acting.

Acting career

Bonner got his first professional stage acting job in 1961, aged 18. His first major role was as helicopter pilot Jerry King on the television series "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo". He appeared in many Crawford Productions television series including "The Box", "Matlock Police", "Division 4", "Cop Shop", "Skyways" and "Carson's Law". In 2007 he appeared as veteran burger naming expert Ken Thomas in a McDonald's advertising campaign.

Notable film roles include "Eyewitness" (1970) and "The Man from Snowy River" (1982). He also twice portrayed Australian World War I soldier Murray Bourchier, to whom he bears a remarkable likeness, in the 1987 film "The Lighthorsemen" and a 1993 episode of "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles".

In September 2008 he sued Fauna Productions Pty Ltd, the production company for "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo", seeking residuals from merchandising and DVD sales. [cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24385486-12377,00.html|title=Actor sues for share of Skippy's profits|publisher=The Australian|date=2008-09-22]

Musical career

Bonner recorded a cover version of the Bee Gees song "Wine and Women" in 1968. He later appeared with Barry Gibb on an episode of "Bandstand". Later in his career Bonner appeared in several stage musicals including "Annie Get Your Gun" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".

Charity work

Bonner is patron of several charities including The Smith Family and the Wesley Mission suicide prevention program. He has also served on the board of the Variety Club and is Publicity Officer and past President of the Manly Life Saving Club.

Personal life

Bonner was married to Australian actress and model Nola Clark from 1972 to 1992. They had three daughters.

References

External links

*

Persondata
NAME = Jones, Barry Owen
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH = 23 November 1943
PLACE OF BIRTH = Manly, New South Wales, Australia
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =