Richard Morgan

Richard Howard Morgan (12 August 195823 December 2006) was an Australian actor. He was most famous for playing the long-running role of Terry Sullivan in the Australian television series The Sullivans.

Early career After watching a film crew shooting a scene from a television series in his streetand observing the average performance of a child actor similar to his own ageMorgan decided that "he could do better than that" and got himself an acting agent and started going for auditions.

His professional career began when he was cast in guest roles in Crawford Productions television series Homicide (in 1975) and Solo One (1976).

After roles in the motion pictures The Devil's Playground and Break of Day (both 1976), Morgan became one of the original cast members of the hit television series The Sullivans, produced by Crawford Productions. Morgan played Terry Sullivan, the third and youngest Sullivan son. A scampish schoolboy at the beginning of the series, as he matured he harboured dreams of joining the air force, however inner-ear problems prevented this and he instead joined the army. He later married Caroline, however the war took a greater psychological toll on Terry than his brothers, and he struggled both with his marriage and his readjustment to civilian life. Terry was indirectly responsible for the death of his father Dave at the conclusion of the series.

Although the show contained soap-staple storylines, the war backdrop allowed for more serious moments than normally seen in Aussie soaps. It screened on Australian television from 1976 to 1983.

After the series ended, other motion picture roles followed, including the hit Phar Lap (1983) about the racehorse of the same name, and in Innocent Prey and Silver City (both 1984). He also appeared in the television film Outback Vampires, opposite Brett Climo, in 1987.

After this came a role in the Sydney-based television series Sons and Daughters in 1984, and guest roles in drama series like A Country Practice (1987), Home and Away (1989) and female cop drama Skirts (1990).

During this period he also acted in television movies and miniseries including D.H. Lawrence's The Boy in the Bush (1984 miniseries starring Kenneth Branagh and Sigrid Thornton); Great Expectations: The Untold Story (1986 telemovie directed by Tim Burstall) and The Charmer (1987 miniseries starring Nigel Havers).

He featured as 'Stretch' Lewis in the 1989 US picture Farewell to the King directed by John Milius, starring alongside Nick Nolte, James Fox and Nigel Havers.

Later life After a break of a number of yearswhen he got heavily involved in the booming computer businessMorgan returned to acting with guest roles in Australian television series such as Neighbours in 2000, Blue Heelers in 2000, Something in the Air in 2000, and the ABC-TV series MDA in 2002.

He gained a new generation of fans when he joined the cast of the popular Nine Network undercover cop series Stingers, where he played the recurring role of Reg 'The Ferret' Masters from 1999-2004.

Death In 2005 Morgan was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND / ALS) and died from the illness eighteen months later, on 23 December 2006.

He was survived by his wife Lisa and daughters Ella and Zoe.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1976 The Devil's Playground Smith 1976 Break of Day John 1983 Phar Lap 'Cashy' Martin 1984 Silver City Dan 1984 Innocent Prey Ted 1989 Farewell to the King 'Stretch' Lewis

Television Year Title Role Notes 1975 Homicide Jamie Wright 1 episode 1976 Solo One Timmy Savage 1 episode 1976–1983 The Sullivans Terry Sullivan 1114 episodes 1984 The Boy in the Bush Herbert Miniseries, 3 episodes 1984–1985 Sons and Daughters Alan Brandon 30 episodes 1986 The Last Warhorse Bob TV movie 1987 Great Expectations: The Untold Story Pryce TV movie 1987 The Charmer Birdwatcher Miniseries, 1 episode 1987 Outback Vampires (aka The Wicked) Nick TV movie 1987 A Country Practice Wayne Baker 2 episodes 1989 Home and Away James Donoghue 4 episodes 1990 Skirts Burrell 1 episode 1991 Chances Michael Tranzi 1 episode 2000 Blue Heelers Peter Stamford 1 episode 2000 Neighbours Damon Gaffney 6 episodes 2000 Something in the Air Miles Middlemass 3 episodes 2001 Blonde Buddy 2 Miniseries, 2 episodes 2002 MDA Dr John Baldwin 1 episode 1999–2004 Stingers Detective Senior Sergeant Reg 'The Ferret' Masters 38 episodes

Stage Year Title Role Notes 1968 Sweethearts Arts Theatre, Adelaide with The Metropolitan Light Opera Company of South Australia 1970 Salad Days Timothy Arts Theatre, Adelaide with Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company 1984 What About the Bond? David Not Another Theatre Company, Sydney 1984 Zombie Barbeque Not Another Theatre Company, Sydney 1985 The Heiress from Punchbowl Sydney Sailors' Home with Not Another Theatre Company 1989 Oh, What a Lovely War! Price Theatre, Adelaide with Centre for the Performing Arts 1991 Tales from the Decameron NIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney 1991 Serious Money NIDA Parade Theatre, Sydney