John Stanton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Stanton (born October 28, 1944, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia), is a well-known Australian actor. He is noted for his Shakespearean roles, as well as for his film, television roles, narrating commercials and some major events.

His early television work included a stint in the soap opera Bellbird in 1972, and various guest-starring roles in the Crawford Productions police dramas Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police, and acted in miniseries Against the Wind. Despite having made two earlier appearances as different characters in Homicide, Stanton was cast as a regular character, lead detective Pat Kelly, in 1973-74. In one episode Pat Kelly engaged in a romance with a woman played by his real-life wife Jill Forster. She was accidentally shot by criminals targeting Kelly, and he sought violent revenge.

After leaving Homicide, Stanton continued to make guest appearances in Division 4 and Matlock Police, and then played the regular lead role of Nick Manning in the later years of soap opera The Box. Jill Forster at that time also played the regular role of prim secretary Enid Parker in The Box, and in the storyline Enid eventually had a one-night-stand with Stanton's character. When Stanton and Forster became expectant parents in real life and Forster left The Box to have the baby, likewise Enid fell pregnant and left to have the baby, and in the story Nick was the father. When Forster returned for the show's final episode in 1977 Enid's baby was played by Stanton and Forster's real-life child.

In 1981 he played the title character in the police series Bellamy, and then took the role of the title bagman in the comedy film Kitty and the Bagman (1982). He was acclaimed in his role as the former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser in The Dismissal.

During the early 1990's Stanton portrayed the character of Oliver Blackwood in the TV series of The Man from Snowy River. Stanton left when his character disappeared (presumed dead) in the desert.

[edit] Voiceover roles

John Stanton was the English language announcer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony. He was also the voice on one or more television ads for the Opening Ceremony Official Album. In addition to this, he has also been the voice over announcer for numerous television and radio ads, including Forty Winks bedding.

He is the narrator for the 8-part TV series "Australians at War", which commenced Anzac Day, 25 April 2001.