Frank Whitten

Frank Edgar Richard Whitten (15 November 1942 – 12 February 2011) was a New Zealand television actor. He was more recently known for playing Ted "Grandpa" West in the New Zealand television show Outrageous Fortune.

Early life and education Whitten was born in Te Aroha and grew up in the Waikato region in the 1940s and 50s. Around 1963, "with very little experience and even less money", he left for England to become an actor. He also spent time as an improvisational tutor at leading British drama school the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and by 1970 was the school's vice-principal.

Career In 1982 Whitten returned to New Zealand and began acting in theatre. Two years later, he appeared as an exploitative guru of a commune in Trespasses, the movie spin off of police show Mortimer's Patch. The same year, Whitten played the enigmatic farmer who strides into the isolated rural world of a young child in Vigil, the first feature directed by Vincent Ward. In the mid-1980s he joined the serial Heroes, playing roadie to a group of young musicians. He followed this role by playing one of the main roles on historical drama Heart of the High Country, based on the novel by English author Elizabeth Gowans.

Whitten had a role in the short film Accidents, and small roles in the romance Arriving Tuesday, Zilch!, The Returning, and two international thrillers, Chill Factor and Hot Target. In 2003, he appeared in P.J. Hogan's live action remake of Peter Pan.

On television, he made guest appearances on Erebus: The Aftermath, Gloss, The Chosen, Ray Bradbury Theatre and Mysterious Island, and a lead role in the award-winning miniseries The Leaving of Liverpool.

In 2007, his ongoing role on as "Grandpa" Ted West on Outrageous Fortune won him a best supporting actor award at the New Zealand Screen Awards.

For twelve years, he played the older man in the Speight's "Southern Man" series of television commercials, well known for his character's catchphrase, "Good on ya, mate!" The official media statement stated that "[he] died peacefully in his sleep" following a short battle with cancer.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 Vigil Ethan Ruir 1984 Trespasses Stan Gubbins 1985 Hot Target Apartment owner 1986 Arriving Tuesday Farmer 1988 The Clean Machine Premier John Morgan TV movie 1989 Zilch! Engineer 1989 Chill Factor Frank Robertson 1990 The Shrimp on the Barbie Blue 1991 The Returning Mr. Spiggs 1991 Ring of Scorpio John Walker Drama, TV movie 1991 Waiting Michael 1992 Greenkeeping Dad 1994 The Roly Poly Man Dr. Henderson Comedy 1995 Napoleon Koala Voice 1995 Dad and Dave: On Our Selection The Swagman 1997 Doing Time for Patsy Cline Watson 1997 The Ripper Dr. Pearce Thriller, TV movie 1998 The Chosen Eddie O'Connor Drama, TV movie 1999 Me Myself I Charlie 1999 Airtight Escher Action / Drama / Romance / Sci-Fi / Thriller, TV movie 2001 The Man Who Sued God Primate 2003 Peter Pan Starkey 2004 Floodhouse Manaroan in Aviator Hat 2005 Hell Has Harbour Views Giles Taffy QC Drama / Comedy, TV movie

Television