Orpheus Pledger
{{short description|Australian actor (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Orpheus Pledger
| image =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|05|11|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/BT8BBC6DYzo/|title=Spending my birthday doing what I love|date=11 May 2017|publisher=Instagram|access-date=31 July 2017}}
| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2001–2024
| notable_works = Home and Away (2016–2019)
}}
Orpheus Pledger (born 11 May 1993) is an Australian actor, who started his career as a child performer. He played Tycho Everson in the children's series Silversun and, in 2011, appeared as Noah Parkin in Neighbours. From 2016 to 2019, Pledger starred as Mason Morgan in the Australian soap opera Home and Away.
Career
In 2002, as an eight-year-old, Pledger starred in writer-director Emma Freeman's short film Lamb.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/02/22/1014333277937.html|title=Film maker rides to Tropfest on the lamb's back|last=Zion|first=Lawrie|date=23 February 2002|work=The Age|access-date=12 May 2016}} In the following year, he began appearing as Lewis Harfield in the drama series CrashBurn.{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&kw=orpheus+and+pledger&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE031009QGN9H5R7Q8E|title=CrashBurn begins to fire|last=Mattessi|first=Peter|date=9 October 2003|work=The Age|access-date=12 May 2016}} In 2004, Pledger starred as Tycho Everson in the children's science fiction series Silversun.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/silversun/crew/boys/tycho.htm|title=Tycho|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=12 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&kw=orpheus+and+pledger&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE04020524CGG14UEGL|title=Networking|last=Miller|first=Kylie|date=5 February 2004|work=The Age|access-date=12 May 2016}} He also made guest appearances in The Secret Life of Us, Blue Heelers, Welcher & Welcher, Scooter: Secret Agent, McLeod's Daughters and Nick Giannopoulos' film The Wannabes.
In 2011, Pledger joined the cast of Neighbours as student Noah Parkin.{{cite web|url=http://neighbours.com.au/Theres_a_New_Face_in_Town.htm|title=There's a New Face in Town|date=25 May 2011|publisher=Network Ten|access-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520041213/http://neighbours.com.au/Theres_a_New_Face_in_Town.htm|archive-date=20 May 2012}} Pledger's agent told him about the role and asked him to read through Noah's character notes. After deciding that he wanted the role, Pledger attended a screen test with the Neighbours casting director.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/interviews/a336753/orpheus-pledger-neighbours-noah-parkin/|title=Orpheus Pledger – 'Neighbours' Noah Parkin|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=24 August 2011|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=12 May 2016}} After a recall, Pledger was told he had the role. He was contracted for six months. In 2014, Pledger appeared in the Nine Network television film Schapelle.{{cite web|url=http://www.fremantlemedia.com.au/news/schapelle-airdate-announced|title=Schapelle airdate announced|date=3 February 2014|publisher=FremantleMedia|access-date=12 May 2016}}
On 5 December 2015, Jonathon Moran of The Daily Telegraph reported that Pledger had joined Home and Away as Mason Morgan.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/jessica-marais-and-ex-james-stewart-go-headtohead-on-rival-networks/news-story/fe87d3c042165d53b8bf2f612695ef98?nk=cfb429b18655ca0e93ccfee99540e4e4-1463063276|title=Jessica Marais and ex James Stewart go head-to-head on rival networks|last=Moran|first=Jonathon|date=5 December 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 May 2016}} He relocated from Melbourne to Sydney for the filming. He chose to leave the role in 2019, and his character was killed off in the season finale on 27 November.{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/orpheus-pledger-leaves-home-and-away-60547|title=Orpheus Pledger opens up about leaving Home and Away|last=Burke|first=Tina|last2=Hockey|first2=Maddison|date=27 November 2018|work=TV Week|access-date=27 November 2018}}
In February 2022, Pledger took part in Season 3 of SAS Australia, but voluntarily withdrew after two days.{{cite web|url=https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/home-and-away-orpheus-pledger-quits-sas-australia-221140096.html|title=Home and Away's Orpheus Pledger quits SAS Australia after 'erratic behaviour'|last=Guertin|first=Lachlan|date=22 February 2022|publisher=Yahoo! Lifestyle|access-date=24 February 2022}} He quit during a psychological evaluation by Ant Middleton and Doctor Dan to discuss his "erratic behaviour", after he was shown refusing to help out at the camp and receiving criticism from his fellow recruits.
Personal life
On 19 February 2021, Pledger was charged with possessing half a gram of methylamphetamine, and 30 tablets of Diazepam, without a prescription.{{cite news|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/former-home-and-away-star-orpheus-pledger-handed-six-month-diversion-plan-for-drug-possession-c-4579668|title=Former Home And Away star Orpheus Pledger handed six-month diversion plan for drug possession|last=Schelle|first=Caroline|date=16 November 2021|work=PerthNow|access-date=24 February 2022}} During the hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 16 November, which Pledger did not attend, he accepted responsibility for the charges and was placed on a diversion program, which meant he did not have to enter a plea and was spared a criminal record. The magistrate also ordered Pledger to be of good behaviour for six months, donate $150 to the court fund, complete a drug awareness course, and thank the officer who charged him.
On 25 March 2024, Pledger was arrested for an alleged assault on a woman, and was remanded in custody after bail was refused.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/ill-never-make-an-order-like-that-again-judge-fumes-as-former-home-and-away-orpheus-pledger-star-absconds/news-story/db0c53d657a3853c21b2890c8d628993|title=Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger's alleged horror attack is revealed in CCTV footage|last=Evans|first=Jack|last2=Smith|first2=Rohan|date=23 April 2024|publisher=news.com.au|access-date=23 April 2024}} On 23 April, Pledger was set to appear via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a bail hearing, but failed to appear, having absconded from the Royal Melbourne Hospital while waiting for a medical assessment. His bail was revoked, an arrest warrant issued, and the case rescheduled to be heard on 10 May. Two days later, he was arrested by police and taken into custody.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-25/home-and-away-orpheus-pledger-arrested-after-police-search/103770336|title=Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger arrested following Victoria Police search|date=25 April 2024|publisher=ABC News|access-date=25 April 2024}} On 1 July 2024, Pledger pleaded guilty to causing injury and unlawful assault.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/former-home-and-away-heartthrob-orpheus-pledger-violently-beat-woman-court/news-story/bf3b395500ae8582c792f9a20bdcc894|title=Former Home and Away heart-throb Orpheus Pledger violently beat woman: Court|last=Evans|first=Jack|date=1 July 2024|publisher=news.com.au|access-date=1 July 2024}} Sentencing was adjourned until 3 July to allow an assessment of Pledger's suitability for a community corrections order. His lawyer stated that Pledger's mental health deteriorated after an acting role in the series The 100 fell through, and he began using methylamphetamine. Pledger was later released on bail while the magistrate waited to receive a report from corrective services.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/former-home-and-away-star-orpheus-pledger-to-spend-more-time-in-jail/news-story/5b4eee292efea2918a9f7d17d2f0739a|title='Make sure you comply': Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger released on bail after abuse allegations|last=Evans|first=Jack|date=3 July 2024|publisher=news.com.au|access-date=16 August 2024}} On 16 August, Pledger was sentenced to 7 months in prison after the magistrate found that he "lacked remorse for his conduct". He was later released on bail ahead of an appeal and was expected to return to court on 12 November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/08/orpheus-pledger-sentenced-to-7-months-prison.html|title=Orpheus Pledger sentenced to 7 months prison|last=Knox|first=David|date=16 August 2024|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=16 August 2024}}
Filmography
| class= "wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Acting |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001
| James | Episodes: "Intimations of Mortality" and "Now or Never" |
| 2002
| Lamb | Son | Short film |
| 2002
| Scott Robbins | Episode: "The Last Jar" |
| 2002
| Freddie | Episode: "Snorting Charlie" |
| 2003
| Forbidden | Boy at Gate | Short film |
| 2003
| Winslow | Episode: "The Winslow Boy" |
| 2003
| Young Danny | Feature film |
| 2003
| James | TV movie |
| 2003
| Lewis Harfield | Main cast (Season 1) |
| 2004
| Replacing Bradley | Bradley | Short film |
| 2004
| Tycho Everson | Main cast (Seasons 1–2) |
| 2005
| Beast Boy | Episode: "Operation: Beast Boy" |
| 2005
| Max Wakefield | Episode: "Body and Soul" |
| 2006
| Blue Heelers | Olek Jasinski | Episode: "Going Down Swinging" |
| 2011
| Recurring role (Season 27) |
| 2014
| James | Television film |
| 2014
| Ian | Season 3, episode 4 |
| 2016–2019
| Main cast (Seasons 29–32) |
| class= "wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Self appearances |
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2019
| Home and Away: Christmas in Summer Bay | Episode: "The Morgan Family" |
| 2020
| Q&AmyLive | Season 1, episode 11 |
| 2022
| Season 3 |
| {{TBA}}
| Surviving Sunset an Actor's Hollywood Journey | Documentary |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|1288256}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pledger, Orpheus}}
Category:Australian male soap opera actors
Category:Australian male child actors
Category:Australian male film actors
Category:21st-century Australian male actors
Category:Male actors from Melbourne