Gus Mercurio
Born
Augustino Eugenio Mercurio

(1928-08-10)10 August 1928
West Bend, Wisconsin, US
Died7 December 2010(2010-12-07) (aged 82)
Melbourne, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1970–2008
FamilyPaul Mercurio (dancer-actor) (son)

Augustino Eugenio Mercurio OAM (10 August 1928 – 7 December 2010) better known as Gus Mercurio, was an American-born Australian character actor who appeared in radio, television, and film.

Early life

Mercurio, the eldest child of Vincent A. Mercurio and Cecilia W. "Mickey" Miller, was born in West Bend, Wisconsin near Milwaukee.[1] He had two sisters, Gerie and Connie, and a brother, Tony.[2] His parents were divorced when he was seven.

He visited Australia during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and decided to stay.[3]

Early career

His father had boxed professionally under the name of Vince McGurk, and one of his uncles had boxed professionally under the name of Ray Miller. Mercurio himself was a professional boxer, had served in the United States Marine Corps and was also a chiropractor[4]

Mercurio was also an international boxing judge (refereeing a world title fight) and was also a well-known boxing promoter. He later became the inaugural president of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame – into which he was inducted in 2008.

Radio, TV and film

He was successful at his first audition for an ABC radio play. His raspy voice, energetic personality and natural talents quickly came to the attention of Australian television production houses such as Crawford Productions.[4]

He also worked as a commentator for Channel 7's World of Sport, as well as acting as the movie host for Channel 10's Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio.[5]

Mercurio appeared in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company (1975), its follow-up Tandarra (1976) and the miniseries Power Without Glory (1976). Additionally, he played many guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide (1964), Division 4 (1969) and Matlock Police (1971). His film appearances include The Blue Lagoon (1980), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Turkey Shoot (1982), Crocodile Dundee II (1988), Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991) and Doing Time for Patsy Cline (1997).

Family

Mercurio was married twice and fathered seven children, including dancer/actor Paul Mercurio, the star of the film Strictly Ballroom (1992).

Death

He died on 7 December 2010 from complications during surgery for a chest aneurysm.[6] He was 82 years old.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Type
1974 Alvin Purple Rides Again Jake Feature film
1976 Eliza Fraser Darge Feature film
1976 The Dreamers Feature film
1977 Raw Deal Ben Feature film
1977 High Rolling Nightclub Bouncer Feature film
1980 Harlequin Mr. Bergier Feature film
1980 The Blue Lagoon Officer Feature film
1980 Dead Man's Float Mr. Dobraski Feature film
1982 Turkey Shoot Red Feature film
1982 The Man from Snowy River Frew Feature film
1983 The Return of Captain Invincible Noisy Garbageman Feature film
1985 I Live with Me Dad Waldo Skrimm TV film
1987 Running from the Guns Chazza Feature film
1992 Survive the Savage Sea Mr Haines TV film
1998 Crocodile Dundee II Frank Feature film
1991 Return to the Blue Lagoon First Mate Feature film
1993 Official Denial Joe Dan TV film
1994 Lightning Jack Tough Guy Feature film
1994 Mdday Crisis Short film
1997 Doing Time for Patsy Cline Tyrone Feature film
2001 Curse of the Talisman Junkyard Owner TV film
2002 Dalkeith Enzo Petroni Feature film
2010 The Otherside Carmello Short film

Television

Year Title Role Type
1964 Homicide Guest role TV series
1969 Division 4 Guest role TV series
1971 Matlock Police Guest role TV series
1973 Frank and Francesca TV series, 6 episodes
1975 Cash and Company Joe Brady Miniseries, 13 episodes
1976 Power Without Glory Sparring Partner / Bill Timms TV series
1976 The Sullivans George TV series
1976 Tandarra[7] Joe Brady Miniseries, 13 episodes
1983 All the Rivers Run Tom Critchley TV series
1984 Special Squad Haliwell TV series, 1 episode
1983-85 Five Mile Creek Ben Jones TV series
1986 The Challenge Vic Romagna Miniseries
1990 The Great Air Race 'Granny' Granville Miniseries
1993 Time Trax Announcer TV series, 1 episode
1993 The Flying Doctors Happy TV series, 1 episode
1993 Stark Larry Miniseries, 2 episodes
1993 All Together Now Freddy Vale 1 episode
1993, 1998 The Saddle Club Bluey, Mick TV series, 2episodes
1996-99 Flipper Cap Daulton TV series
1997 Neighbours Trainer TV series, 1 episode
2000 Tales of the South Seas Miniseries, 1 episode
2001, 2004 Blue Heelers Harry Spencer, Jim Steedman TV series, 2 episodes
World of Sport Commentator TV series
Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio Movie host TV series

Works

  • Mercurio, G., Boxin' : all you wanted to know but didn't want to fight to ask, Regus, (Kew), 1998. ISBN 0-646-35241-5
  • Mercurio, G., Hang in There: Inspirational Gems to Empower You!, Wilkinson Books, (Melbourne), 1994. ISBN 1-86350-168-1

References

  1. ↑ Interview with Gus Mercurio
  2. ↑ Arlington National Cemetery's Biography: Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Thomas Mercurio.
  3. ↑ "Lives Remembered". The Telegraph. London. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 Upham, Paul "Gus Mercurio" Archived 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine. aussiebox.com.au, Retrieved 7 December 2010
  5. ↑ Hill, M., The actors' handbook: a guide to the Australian entertainment industry, Artists Technologies, (Carlton), 2007, (ISBN 0975735810), p.20.
  6. ↑ "Gus Mercurio dies aged 82". ABC News, 7 December 2010
  7. ↑ Cash & Company Tandarra Retrieved 7 December 2010
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