John Fegan (actor)

John Fegan (actor)

John 'Jack' Fegan (born 1907) is an Australian film and television actor. He appeared in many Australian films and television shows in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, including the long running series Homicide as Inspector Jack Connolly. He was born in Belfast, Ireland.

Fegan grew up in the Falls Road area of Belfast and moved to Australia as a young man. He made his way to Sydney where he worked as a labourer, including as a habourside worker on The Hungry Mile during the Great Depression. He became an actor after becoming involved in the worker's theatre movement.

He joined the Australian Army during World War II and served in New Guinea.

Homicide

"Homicide" was the first major television series to be produced in Australia, the domestic television market having been previously dominated by American and British imports. "Homicide" proved that there was a market for home-grown programming and was highly successful. For this reason, as well as for inspiring a series of popular police dramas that followed, it remains one of the most important programmes in the history of Australian television.

Fegan starred as Inspector Jack Connolly, head of the squad - a seasoned policeman in the classic dry, gruff mould that remains popular in similar shows today. The name Connolly was selected to reflect the Irish influence in Australian police forces and no doubt it helped to account for Fegan's still strong Belfast accent. The show was so popular and considered so accurate (police procedure was followed faithfully and police advisors ensured that things were done correctly) that the actors were often confused for real police officers and, at one point, Fegan was invited to a policeman's ball.

Fegan retired from Homicide in 1969.

In 2007, "Homicide" was chosen for a 50 cent stamp to celebrate 50 years of television in Australia. Fegan, as Inspector Connolly, is standing in the centre of the stamp, flanked by Lex Mitchell and Terry McDermott.

Division 4

After leaving "Homicide", John Fegan guest starred in a number of other television series. In particular, he appeared as the recently released from prison John Kelso in episode 100 of "Division 4", another Australian police drama. The episode was critically lauded and Fegan received a Logie Award for 'Best Individual Acting Performance' for his efforts.

The Link Men

In 1971 John Fegan guest starred in an episode of "The Link Men", yet another Australian police drama. It would have been a footnote in a short lived series, but for an incident on set. [http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/LinkMen.htm The Link Men] at [http://www.classicaustraliantv.com Classic Australian Television] ] Two young actors were performing or rehearsing a fight scene when Frank Packer, the owner of the Network, came in. Packer, who had been a boxer in his younger days but who at the time was in his mid-sixties, declared that they were doing it wrong and demonstrated the correct technique by putting the actor playing the police officer in a headlock. Fegan, also in his sixties, had been watching from behind the camera and suggested that since the young actor was the one who was supposed to be performing the headlock then perhaps Packer should demonstrate on him so the young actor could watch. Packer got Fegan in the same headlock but Fegan, who had also been a boxer in his younger days, Packer ended up on the ground. According to an article about the event in The Sydney Morning Herald(no reference available) Packer's hearing aid came flying out and Fegan lashed out and crushed it with his foot. Packer insisted that Fegan be fired on the spot. Cooler heads prevailed and Fegan was allowed to finish his guest role in the episode.

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270388 John Fegan] at the [http://www.imdb.com Internet Movie Database]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Homicide (TV series) — For the American series, see .infobox television show name = Homicide caption = Title screen of Homicide format = Police procedural runtime = 50 minutes creator = starring = John Fegan Terry McDermott Lex Mitchell Leonard Teale Leslie Dayman… …   Wikipedia

  • Corrinshego — (from Irish: Cor fhuinnseoige meaning round hill of the Ash tree )[1] is a townland in the Parish of Middle Killeavy to the west of Newry in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. GAA Club Corrinshego GFC can trace its history back to the beginning of… …   Wikipedia

  • Shake It Up (serie de televisión) — Shake It Up Bella Thorne Zendaya protagonistas de la serie, en una entrevista sobre la misma Título A todo ritmo (Latinoamérica) Shake It Up (España) …   Wikipedia Español

  • 1991 — This article is about the year 1991. For the number (and other uses), see 1991 (number). Millennium: 2nd millennium Centuries: 19th century – 20th century – 21st century Decades: 1960s  1970s  1980s  –… …   Wikipedia

  • Ricardo Tejedo — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Ricardo Tejedo (México, D.F.; 3 de julio de 1962). Es un actor de voz mexicano y un director de doblaje. Él ha interpretado la voz de varios personajes tales como Roberto Sedinho, Richard Tex Tex, Bruce Harper y Andy …   Wikipedia Español

  • October 6 — For its use in Egypt, see 6th of October (disambiguation). << October 2011 >> Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa …   Wikipedia

  • List of Filipino Americans — This is a list of Filipino Americans, who are famous, have made significant contributions to the American culture, politics, and society. Also includes those with notable mentions in the American media.To be included in this list, the person must …   Wikipedia

  • List of Trinity College Dublin people — This is an incomplete list of some notable alumni of the University of Dublin, all of whom attended its only constituent college Trinity College, Dublin.Notable alumni of the University of DublinArmed forces*General Eyre Coote, Governor General… …   Wikipedia

  • Hollywood Shuffle — Infobox Film name = Hollywood Shuffle director = Robert Townsend producer = Robert Townsend writer = Dom Irrera (uncredited) Keenen Ivory Wayans Robert Townsend narrator = starring = Anne Marie Johnson Craigus R. Johnson Dom Irrera Helen Martin… …   Wikipedia

  • Nero Wolfe (1981 TV series) — Nero Wolfe William Conrad as Nero Wolfe Genre Drama Developed by Paramount Television …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”