Richard Moir

Richard Moir (born 1950) is an Australian former actor and editor.

Career

Moir initially began his career as a film editor for low-budget 1970s Australian films and TV series, many of which were the work of director Esben Storm. He struck up a friendship with Storm that was instrumental in kick-starting his acting career.

Moir is also well known for playing 'Dad' Tony Twist in the first two seasons of children's comedy Round the Twist for 26 episodes, from 1989 to 1992, before Andrew Gilbert took over the role for the final two seasons. From 1993 to 1999, he played the regular role of Sergeant Clive O'Connor in crime drama series Law of the Land.

Moir appeared in several miniseries, including Players in the Gallery (1980) and 1915 (1982). The latter was a big budget Logie Award-winning production, based on the novel by Roger McDonald, in which he was part of the ensemble cast which included Sigrid Thornton. He also had roles in The Last Bastion (1984), Land of Hope (1985) and The Challenge (1986–1987), the latter, a retelling of Australia's win in the 1983 America’s Cup sailing race, in which Moir appeared alongside Nicholas Hammond and Lorraine Bayly. Further miniseries included The Fremantle Conspiracy (1988), Bodysurfer (1989) and Ring of Scorpio (1991).

Moir also had television guest roles in Kirby's Company (1977), Chopper Squad (1978), The Sullivans (1980), Dolphin Cove (1989), Rafferty's Rules (1989), In 1978, he starred as Tony, opposite Judy Morris, Bill Hunter and Chris Haywood in In Search of Anna. He went on to appear in The Odd Angry Shot (1979), Heatwave, Running on Empty, Going Down (all in 1982), With Prejudice (1983), and An Indecent Obsession (1985). In 1987, he had a starring role as Al the chef in Jilted, opposite Tina Bursill. He further appeared in Minnamurra (1989), Isabelle Eberhardt (1991), Welcome to Woop Woop and Joey (both 1997). He also appeared in made-for-television films.

In 2022, Moir made a return to acting when he appeared in the short film Not Dark Yet, playing a man deteriorating from Parkinson's Disease, made by his daughter, Bonnie.

In 1990, Moir was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. At first, he successfully hid his diagnosis, but when his speech started to become affected, the degenerative effects of the disease gradually brought his acting career to a premature end. The short film Not Dark Yet, made by his filmmaker daughter Bonnie, also mirrors Moir's life. His portrayal of a role of a man deteriorating from Parkinson's disease was much praised.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1974 27A Richard Running On Empty (aka Fast Lane Fever) Fox 1983 With Prejudice Middleton An Indecent Obsession Luce Daggett 1997 Welcome to Woop Woop Reggie 1982 1915 Reverend Fox Miniseries, 6 episodes The Long Way Home Bob TV movie Land of Hope Dominic Quinn Miniseries

Theatre Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1976 The Speakers Cafferty Nimrod Theatre Company, Sydney 1982 Godsend Reverend Hugh Stacey Melbourne Athenaeum with MTC1983 Vocations Godrey Hannam La Boite Theatre, Brisbane Betrayal Robert Edward St Theatre, Brisbane with QTC