Peter Bensley
| Peter Bensley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
6 February 1954 Warialda, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Actor and Author |
| Known for |
Dr. John Austin in The New Adventures of Black Beauty Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker in Water Rats Andrew Teigan in Mirror, Mirror Dr Mike Newman in The Young Doctors Matt Delaney in Prisoner |
Peter Bensley (born 6 February 1954 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia)[1] was an Australian "pin-up" actor of the 1980s.
Early roles
One of Bensley's earliest roles was as Dennis Braithwaite on the Seven Network drama series Class Of '74. He also appeared in ABC Television children's show, Waterloo Street, with long hair.
Career
Bensley then went on to appear in such soap operas as The Restless Years; The Young Doctors, in which he played Dr. Mike Newman from 1980 until the show finished in 1982; Prisoner, in which he played one of the three male prisoners, Matt Delaney, for 34 episodes in 1984; Neighbours in 1986; and Home and Away from 1988 to 1990. In 2009, he returned to Neighbours for a two-episode guest role as Dean Naughton.
In the 1980s, Bensley appeared as a nude centrefold in the magazine, Cleo, wearing only strategically placed scuba gear; and also featured in a cheeky advertisement for Palmolive Gold, in which he is seen in bed with fellow The Young Doctors actress Judy McBurney, and semi-naked in a shower.
Film and mini-series
In 1983, he played the title role of Stanley in the film "Stanley; Every Home Should Have One". In 1992, Bensley appeared as Dr. John Austin in the Australian mini-series The New Adventures of Black Beauty.
In 1995, Bensley appeared in the Australian / New Zealand co-production Mirror, Mirror, as "Andrew Teigan", the father of "Jo Teigan".
Other roles
Bensley also appeared in the long-running television series Water Rats about the Sydney Harbour Water Police Squad, in which he had the major role of Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker. Bensley was a member of the cast of Water Rats for the entire series (1996–2001).
Author
His first fiction book, "On a Wing and a Prayer", was published in 2006.[2]
More recent acting roles have included appearances in popular comedy Packed to the Rafters
Personal life
Bensley and his partner have 3 children, Sam, Rosie and Dom Bensley, and currently live on The Gold Coast.
Notable roles
- Dr. John Austin in The New Adventures of Black Beauty
- Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker in Water Rats
- Andrew Teigan in Mirror, Mirror
- Dr Mike Newman in The Young Doctors
- Matt Delaney in Prisoner
References
External links
- Peter Bensley at the Internet Movie Database
- Peter Bensley – "The Young Doctors"
- Peter Bensley – "Water Rats"
- Peter Bensley – "Water Rats"
- – "author page at Random House publishers"