John Wood

John Wood (born 14 July 1946) is an Australian television Gold Logie Award-winning actor and scriptwriter.

Wood has appeared in numerous theatre and TV productions, but is best known for his roles in the legal drama Rafferty's Rules as Stipendiary Magistrate Michael Rafferty and in the long-running police drama Blue Heelers, as Tom Croydon both for the Seven Network.

Early life Wood began studying drama at National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1966, where he performed in a student production of a play called Eh? directed by Max Gillies and co-starring Tony Taylor.

Career

Theatre Wood became a professional actor in 1970, when he worked for the Old Tote Theatre Company in a production of Death of a Salesman.

His notable stage roles include The Club, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Art, Born Yesterday, The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin, Cats, Chess, Love Letters, Blood Relations, The Real Inspector Hound, Strange Bedfellows: The Musical and Stephen Sewell's It Just Stopped (2006). He played the Bishop of Basingstoke in the 25th anniversary concert of Jekyll & Hyde. He also played the Wizard in The Wizard Of Oz Arena Specular in 2019.

Television Wood's first professional television role was in Minus Five with Ken James and Rowena Wallace, which went to air with the title Barrier Reef. A common misconception is that his first role was actually a guest role in soap opera Bellbird.

Wood then appeared in several Australian drama series and miniseries, in minor roles. He also played the co-lead role of Stokey in ABC drama series The Truckies in 1978, also writing an episode. Additionally, he wrote eleven episodes of the series Prisoner, and several episodes of Cop Shop.

It wasn't until 1987 that Wood became a well-known actor, taking the lead in drama series Rafferty's Rules, as magistrate Michael Rafferty. He twice won a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor, for his portrayal of Rafferty during its four seasons.

In 1993, Wood landed a leading role as Tom Croydon in Blue Heelers, which went on to become a big hit in Australia. He was one of only two actors (the other being Julie Nihill) to star in the series from its beginning in 1993 to its cancellation in 2006, although Wood's character is the only one to be seen in every single episode. Wood also wrote three episodes for the series.

Wood was a contestant in the 2004 edition of the Australian Dancing with the Stars. The following year, he hosted the mini-documentary series Made in Melbourne, documenting 50 years of HSV7. In 2006, he hosted Channel Nine's travel series Wine Me, Dine Me. He next appeared on Channel Ten 2007 telemovie, Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback, playing barrister Grant Algie.

In 2009, Wood appeared in drama series The Cut and the historical dramatised documentary Rogue Nation, both on ABC1. He also had a role in the second installment of the Underbelly crime drama franchise, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities, playing Murray Farquhar.

In 2010, Wood had a recurring role in Offspring. The following year, he joined the cast of Neighbours for a six-month guest role as Martin Chambers.

In 2012, Wood appeared in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and had a recurring role in The Doctor Blake Mysteries. In 2013, he had a guest role on It's a Date alongside Denise Scott.

Filmography

Television

Television (as self) YearTitleRoleNotesRef 2012 Who Do You Think You Are? Participant 1 episode 2019 The New Full Monty Participant 2021 Celebrity Mastermind Contestant

Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1972 The Office Picnic Clyde Feature film 1977 Blue Fire Lady Gus Feature film 1982 Ginger Meggs Constable Brady 1985 The Empty Beach Parker Feature film 1987 The Bit Part John Bainbridge Feature film Bullseye Bluey McGurk Feature film 2004 Hooked Sir Richard Short film 2009 Remembering Nigel John Wood 2011 Waiting for Robbo Eric Short film 2013 Backyard Ashes Merv 2016 Brown Paper Bag School Principal Short film 2017 Bye Bye Baby Short film 2022 Beat Dr. Mondon 2023 Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism Detective Chambers

As writer YearTitleRoleNotes 1974 Flash Nick from Jindavick Writer 1978 The Truckies Writer 1 episode 1979–1980 Prisoner Writer 11 episodes 1980–1981 Cop Shop Writer 9 episodes 1989 Sugar and Spice Writer 2 episodes 1995–1997 Blue Heelers Writer 3 episodes

Awards John Wood has won several TV Week Logie Awards over the years and has also been nominated for several.

In 1988 and 1989, Wood received the TV Week Logie Award for 'Most Outstanding Actor' for his work on Rafferty's Rules. In 2006, he was nominated in the same category for his role in Blue Heelers.

Wood was nominated for the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television every year from 1997 to 2007, for his role in Blue Heelers. After nine consecutive Gold Logie nominations without a win, he was awarded the prize in 2006.

Wood has won the Most Popular Actor award twice (in 2005 and 2006) and has been nominated another eight consecutive times (1996–2003) for his role in Blue Heelers.