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Richard Moir

Richard Moir
Born1950 (age 74–75)
Queensland, Australia
Occupation(s)Actor, editor
Years active1974–1999
Known forPrisoner as Eddie Cook
Round the Twist as Tony Twist
Law of the Land as Sergeant Clive
SpouseJulie Nihill
Children2

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. Moir struck up a friendship with Storm that was instrumental in kick-starting his acting career.[1]

He first became known for his role in the TV soap opera Prisoner (also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H) as the original character of electrician Eddie Cook. He is also well known for playing 'Dad' Tony Twist in the first two seasons of children's comedy Round the Twist from 1989 to 1992, before Andrew Gilbert took over the role for the final two seasons. From 1993 to 1999, he also played the recurring role of Sergeant Clive O'Connor in crime drama series Law of the Land.

Moir appeared in several miniseries, including 1915 (1982), Singles (1984), The Last Bastion (1984), Land of Hope (1985), The Challenge (1986–1987), The Fremantle Conspiracy (1988), Bodysurfer (1989) and Ring of Scorpio (1991).

He made television guest roles in Kirby's Company (1977), Chopper Squad (1978), Cop Shop (1978–1980), The Sullivans (1980), Bellamy (1981), Carson's Law (1984), Special Squad (1984), A Country Practice (1984–1992), Winners (1985; 1990), Dolphin Cove (1989), Rafferty's Rules (1989), G.P. (1989) and Phoenix (1993).

Moir's film credits are also numerous, beginning in 1974 with 27A. From there he appeared in In Search of Anna (1978), The Odd Angry Shot (1979), The Chain Reaction (1980), Heatwave, Running on Empty, Going Down (all in 1982), With Prejudice (1983), An Indecent Obsession (1985), Jilted (1987), 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, made by his daughter, Bonnie.[2][3]

Personal life

Moir was married to actress Julie Nihill, with whom he shares two daughters, actress Lucy Moir and director Bonnie Moir.[4]

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.

Moir later underwent deep brain stimulation therapy, a process covered by Esben Storm’s 2006 documentary The Bridge at Midnight Trembles.[5][6] 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.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1974 27A Richard
1978 In Search of Anna Tony
1978 Hanging About Short film
1979 The Odd Angry Shot Medic
1980 The Chain Reaction Jr. Const. Pigott
1982 Heatwave Stephen West
1982 Sweet Dreamers Will Daniels
1982 Running On Empty Fox
1982 Going Down Hotel night manager
1982 The Plains of Heaven Barker
1983 With Prejudice Middleton
1985 Wrong World David Trueman
1985 An Indecent Obsession Luce Daggett
1987 Jilted Al
1998 Point of Departure Party Leader
1989 Minnamurra (ask Wrangler) Bill Thompson
1991 Isabelle Eberhardt Lt. Comte
1991 Deadly Willie the Pathologist
1997 Welcome to Woop Woop Reggie
1997 Joey School Teacher
2002 Not Dark Yet Russell Short film
2006 The Bridge at Midnight Trembles Self Documentary film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Kirby's Company Episode 13: "I owe you 13 cents"
1978 Chopper Squad Curley Season 2, episode 8: "The Other Man's Grass"
1978–1980 Cop Shop Ken Spencer / Mark Doyle / Chris Porter / Jock Gould 7 episodes
1979 Prisoner Eddie Cook 16 episodes
1980 Players in the Gallery David TV movie
1980 The Department Peter TV movie
1980 The Sullivans Mr Harris 2 episodes
1981 Bellamy Carter Episode 5: "Swan Song"
1981 Sporting Chance Andy Tate Episode 1: "You Can't Eat Medals"
1982 1915 Reverend Fox Miniseries, 6 episodes
1984 Singles Stefan Miniseries, 1 episode
1984 The Last Bastion Major Carlyon Miniseries, 3 episodes
1984 Carson's Law Henry Collins Episode 128: "A Fond Concept"
1984 Special Squad Errol Episode 43: "Gone for the Doctor"
1984–1992 A Country Practice Doug Simmonds / Geoff Gibson Seasons 4 & 12, 4 episodes
1985 Remember Me Howard TV movie
1985 The Long Way Home Bob TV movie
1985 Land of Hope Dominic Quinn Miniseries
1985; 1990 Winners The King / Minister Seasons 1–2, 2 episodes
1986–1987 The Challenge Warren Jones Miniseries, 6 episodes
1988 Alterations Richard TV movie
1988 The Fremantle Conspiracy Hogan Miniseries
1988 Hard Knuckle Alister TV movie
1989 Dolphin Cove Episode 3: "Reading, Writing, and Telepathy"
1989 Rafferty's Rules Geoffrey Sole Season 5, episode 13: "Whatever Gets You Through the Night"
1989 Bodysurfer Brian Miniseries, 2 episodes
1989 G.P. Paul Donaldson Season 3, episode 7: "Testament/Say a Little Prayer"
1991 Ring of Scorpio Sergeant Hayes Miniseries, 4 episodes
1989–1992 Round the Twist Tony Twist Seasons 1–2, 26 episodes
1993 Phoenix Tony Hansen Season 2, episode 4: "The Return"
1997 One Way Ticket Governor TV movie
1993–1999 Law of the Land Sergeant Clive O'Connor Seasons 1–4, 38 episodes

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Speakers Cafferty Nimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1982 Godsend Reverend Hugh Stacey Melbourne Athenaeum with MTC
1983 Vocations Godrey Hannam La Boite Theatre, Brisbane
1983 Betrayal Robert Edward Street Theatre, Brisbane with QTC

[8]

References

  1. ^ "Aussie actor Richard Moir's prolific career was cut short by a 'cruel' disease". amp.nine.com.au. 2024.
  2. ^ "Round the Twist Richard Moir's secret battle with Parkinson's disease". New Idea. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Round the Twist: Where is the cast of the iconic Aussie kids show now?". au.lifestyle.yahoo.com. 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Round the Twist: Where is the cast of the iconic Aussie kids show now?". au.lifestyle.yahoo.com. 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ Newsome, Brad (28 October 2006). "Actor plays the part of his life". The Age. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  6. ^ "The Bridge at Midnight Trembles". storm.net.au. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Aussie actor Richard Moir's prolific career was cut short by a 'cruel' disease". amp.nine.com.au. 2024.
  8. ^ "Richard Moir". AusStage.