Roger Oakley

Roger Oakley (born 21 August 1943) is a New Zealand actor and theatre director noted for his performances in television serials, mini-series, feature and television films. He is also active as a theatre performer, director and voice-over. Oakley has been a professional working actor for over 55 years. He is perhaps best known for his role as the original character of foster and later adoptive father Tom Fletcher between 1988 and 1990, with a brief guest role in 2008 on the Seven Network's soap opera Home and Away.

Roger Oakley
Born (1943-08-21) 21 August 1943
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
Occupations
  • Actor
  • theatre director
  • voice-over
Years active1968–present
Known for

His other notable roles include The Sullivans television series and film version as Major. Barrington and Something in the Air, as a controversial politician Doug Rutherford.

Oakley appeared in feature film roles including in 1977 in his native New Zealand in the movie Sleeping Dogs starring Sam Neill, and in Australia in Sara Dane, Women of the Sun, Travelling North and My Year Without Sex but has also appeared in numerous telemovies and mini-series including the 12-part serial The Damnation of Harvey McHugh.[1]

Early life

Oakley was born in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand on 21 August 1943 and had a regular suburban upbringing. After leaving Auckland Grammar School, he studied languages in New Zealand, before he moved to England and appearing on the stage. He emigrated to Australia in 1978, carving out a successful screen career, although he has continued to appear in stage roles, a genre he has been a regular performer since the late 1960s.[2]

Career

Oakley joined the cast of the high rating period drama soap The Sullivans as Major Barrington. He also appeared in The John Sullivan Story, a spin-off from The Sullivans. He has appeared in numerous mini-series and television movies.

He is best known as an original cast member of Home and Away, playing foster father Tom Fletcher from 1988 to 1990, opposite co-star Vanessa Downing who originated the part of wife Pippa Fletcher.[3] He made briefly a guest appearance in 2008. His other role was as Doug Rutherford in Something in the Air in 2000.

Other TV credits include: Cop Shop, Prisoner, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Heelers, The Young Doctors and Neighbours. As of 2021, he remains active in the industry. He featured in the stage productions of My Fair Lady, The NightWatchman, Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, and The Golden Dragon by contemporary German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig. He also appeared in the television series Underbelly and Winners and Losers.

Film roles include Sara Dane, Travelling North, The Far Country and The Last of the Ryan's.

Filmography
Year Title Role
1977Sleeping DogsAssassin leader
1977The McKenzie AffairSidebottom
1977Hunters GoldCameron
1978The SullivansMajor Barrington
1978Against the WindFather Dixon
1978Cop ShopDick Davies/Peter Miller
1979SkywaysJoe D, Angelo
1979The John Sullivan StoryMajor Barrington
1982Sons and DaughtersDr. Parker
1982Sara DaneMajor Foveaux
1982Women of the SunMr. Johnson
1983PrisonerChris Young
1982–1984A Country PracticeChilla Yates / Bill Young
1984Eureka StockadeScobie
1987Travelling NorthStan
1987The Flying DoctorsBert Webster
1987Ground ZeroCommercial director
1988The Far CountryImmigration officer
1988–1990, 2008Home and AwayTom Fletcher
1990Motormouthunknown
1994The Damnation of Harvey McHughBernard
1995CorrelliJack Glennen
1996Shark Bay
1997Hercules: The Legendary JourneyKing Xenon
1997The Last of the RyansJustice Starke
1997Good Guys, Bad GuysRon "Maddog" Morello
1998Halifax f.p.Frank Bailey
1998State CoronerBarry Randall
1999DuggenBrigadier Endacott
1999Joe WilkinsonMr. Wilkinson
2000Blue HeelersRuss Cavell
2000–2002Something in the AirDoug Rutherford
2006Court of Lonely Royals
2007Blue HeelersSam Curtis
2008NeighboursJim Parker
2008The Hollowmen
2008SatisfactionGreg
2009My Year Without SexNatalie's Father
2011Underbelly Files: The Man That Got Awaycustoms officer
2011GameSimon
2011The Last WaltzLiam
2013Winners & LosersUncle Pat O'Keefe
2017UtopiaChairman of Independent Board
2017Serving Joyunknown role
2019GlitchMike
2021Superwog (TV series)Barrister
2022This is Your Life Guest, honouring Ray Meagher
2023DeadlockFather Terrance

References
  1. "Australian Screen".
  2. "Roger Oakley". AusStage.
  3. Oliver, Robin (11 January 1988). "Guide preview – Home and Away". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
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