Tony Bonner

Anthony Frederick Bonner was born in Manly,{{cn|date=May 2024}} 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, Sydney.{{cn|date=May 2024}} His mother was born Josephine Sheidow and was, a 1935 article announcing her engagement to Frederick Bonner claimed, 'well known in the swimming world.''Life of Sydney' Sydney Daily Telegraph 21 March 1935 p. 13 She was also known as a singer.'Amusements' Sydney Morning Herald 6 June 1934 p. 9

After leaving school Bonner 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.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Bonner's first professional stage acting job was in 1961, aged 18. His first major role was as helicopter pilot Jerry King on the television series Skippy.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Bonner went on to appear in many Crawford Productions television series, including The Box, Matlock Police, Division 4, Cop Shop, Skyways, and Carson's Law.{{IMDb name|0094937}}

In 1970–71, he had a guest role in one episode of the UK-based ITC television series The Persuaders! starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. He featured in an advertising campaign for the Ballajura real estate development in Western Australia in the late 1970s.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

His notable film roles include Eyewitness (1970), You Can't Win 'Em All (1970), Creatures the World Forgot (1971), Inn of the Damned (1975), The Mango Tree (1977), Money Movers (1978), The Man from Snowy River (1982), The Highest Honor (1983), Quigley Down Under (1990), Dead Sleep (1990), Hurricane Smith (1992), and Liquid Bridge (2003). He has 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.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Bonner also starred in the 1985 TV mini-series Anzacs. He played Lieutenant (later Captain) Harold Armstrong, commanding officer of the 8th Battalion (Australia) of the First Australian Imperial Force in 1914, from the Gallipoli in 1915 to the Western Front.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Bonner has done advertising work, such as playing veteran burger-naming expert Ken Thomas in a 2007 McDonald's ad campaign.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

In September 2008, Bonner 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923044436/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24385486-12377,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2008|title=Actor sues for share of Skippy's profits|publisher=The Australian|date=2008-09-22}}

He acted in William Kelly's War (2014) and Landfall (2017), both filmed and produced in Australia.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

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.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Later in his career Bonner appeared in several stage musicals, including Annie Get Your Gun and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.{{when|date=May 2024}}{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Bonner has had experience as a stage actor and director, including:{{cite web | title=Tony Bonner | website=AusStage | date=12 January 2008 | url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/254824 | access-date=13 May 2024}}

Bonner was married to Australian actress and model Nola Clark. One daughter, Chelsea Bonner, is the owner and director of a plus-size modelling agency.{{cite web | last=Scott | first=Leisa | last2=Armstrong | first2=Rebecca | title=How modelling agent Chelsea Bonner is taking on artificial intelligence to avoid 'cataclysmic step backwards' for industry | website=ABC News | date=5 May 2024 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-06/chelsea-bonner-fight-against-ai-models/103769766 | access-date=13 May 2024}}

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.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

In 2017 Bonner was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as an actor, to surf lifesaving, and to the community through charitable organisations.{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2017/slkh83xzcb/AM%20Final%20Media%20Notes%20(A-L)2.pdf |title= Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia (A-L) |work=2017 Australia Day Honours List |publisher=Office of the Governor-General of Australia |date= 26 January 2017 |accessdate=26 January 2017 }}

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Category:1943 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian male film actors

Category:Australian male stage actors

Category:Australian male television actors

Category:Members of the Order of Australia

Category:People from Manly, New South Wales