John Shrapnell
{{short description|New Zealand journalist (1934-2020)}}
{{Distinguish|John Shrapnel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = John Shrapnell
| image = 090512John_Shrapnell.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = John Gordon Shrapnell
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1934|12|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = London, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|09|02|1934|12|25|df=y}}
| death_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| nationality = New Zealand
| other_names =
| known_for =
| occupation = Journalist, actor, singer
}}
John Gordon Shrapnell (25 December 1934 – 2 September 2020) was a New Zealand television journalist turned singer-actor.
Early life and family
Shrapnell was born in London, the son of Lillian Jeannette (née Walker) and Alfred Shrapnell. He is a descendant of British army officer General Henry Shrapnel, inventor of the shrapnel shell.
Television
When television began in New Zealand in the early 1960s, Shrapnell was one of the two editors of NZBC Television Newsreel {{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 September 2020|title=John Shrapnell|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/john-shrapnell|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=5 September 2020|website=www.nzonscreen.com|language=en}} and producer of The Veteran Statesman. In 1964 Shrapnell returned to the United Kingdom to become reporter on COI's London Line {{cite web|url=http://www.coi.gov.uk/aboutcoi.php?page%3D84 |title=COI - 60th film season - October screenings |accessdate=2009-11-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723185557/http://www.coi.gov.uk/aboutcoi.php?page=84 |archivedate=23 July 2011 }} and BBC's Today, as well as Duty Editor at Visnews.http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/331954-1.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
In 1966 Shrapnell returned to New Zealand as reporter/director of Town and Around and Network News. He directed and produced many documentaries for the series Sunday's World. He also produced reports on two of the early New Zealand dance companies, namely Limbs and Impulse Dance Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.danz.org.nz/Magazines/DQ/Dec07/dancearchive.php |title=DANZ QUARTERLY - No 7 April 2007 |accessdate=2009-11-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522034442/http://www.danz.org.nz/Magazines/DQ/Dec07/dancearchive.php |archivedate=22 May 2010 }} As coordinator of NZBC's Royal Visit coverage, Shrapnell had met the Queen and members of her family on several occasions.
Shrapnell became a naturalised New Zealand citizen in 1974.{{cite web |url=https://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=try&db=NZNaturalisations&h=99308 |title=John Gordon Shrapnell in the New Zealand, naturalisations, 1843–1981 |year=2010 |publisher=Ancestry.com Operations |accessdate=12 September 2020 |url-access=subscription}}
Actor-singer
As an actor Shrapnell appeared in Revelations – The Initial Journey, The Insider's Guide To Happiness, Blonde Cargo,{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.co.nz/ |title=Home |website=gibson.co.nz}} Market Forces, The Strip, and A Question of Justice.
As a singer Shrapnell sang with various companies including Wellington City Opera and The NBR New Zealand Opera.{{cite web |url=http://www.nzopera.com/ |title=Home |website=nzopera.com}}
Shrapnell was often confused with his cousin, veteran British actor John Shrapnel. When the two met in London, the English Shrapnel said he was jealous that the New Zealand Shrapnell had met and talked with the Queen. The New Zealand Shrapnell replied that he was jealous the London Shrapnel had got to act with Julia Roberts.
Shrapnell died in Wellington on 2 September 2020, at the age of 85.{{cite web|title=John Shrapnell death notice |url=https://deaths.dompost.co.nz/obituaries/dominion-post-nz/obituary.aspx?n=john-shrapnell&pid=196734809|website=Legacy|publisher=Dominion Post|accessdate=23 September 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/shrapnell/
- {{IMDb name |id=nm7432516 |name=John Shrapnell}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shrapnell, John}}
Category:Television people from London
Category:New Zealand journalists
Category:New Zealand male television actors
Category:20th-century New Zealand male singers