{{Short description|Australian actor (1950–2019)}} {{about|the Australian actor|other|Patrick Ward (disambiguation)}} {{Use British English|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{infobox person | image = | caption = | name = | birth_name = Patrick Ward | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | birth_date = 4 January 1950 | death_place = Sydney, Australia | death_date = 14 October 2019 (aged 69) | education = Independent Theatre | occupation = Actor | known_for = ''The Unisexers''<br>''Cop Shop''<br>''Arcade''<br>''My Two Wives'' }} '''Patrick Ward''' (4 January 1950 – 14 October 2019<ref name="tvtonight">{{cite news |title=Vale: Patrick Ward |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/vale-patrick-ward.html |access-date=14 October 2019 |publisher=TV Tonight |date=14 October 2019}}</ref>) was an Australian actor noted for several performances on Australian television.
==Early life== Ward grew up in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, the son of a taxi driver and payroll mistress. He left home and school at the age of 14.<ref name="farewell"/> He worked in several jobs, before joining choreographer Ross Coleman's production of ''Gotta Move'' at Sydney's Union Theatre (now Footbridge Theatre) in 1968.<ref name="farewell"/> At 16, he joined the Independent Theatre, where he trained as an actor,<ref name="obituary"/> before going on to perform at the Killara 680 Coffee Theatre. At 17, he came second in a go-go dancing competition for radio station 2UW.<ref name="farewell"/>
In his late teens, Ward was signed by Pat Woodley's modelling agency, through which he began landing roles in TV commercials.<ref name="farewell"/>
==Career== Ward signed with International Casting Services run by Gloria Payten who initially secured work for him as an extra in films such ''Color Me Dead'' (1969) and ''That Lady from Peking'' (1975).<ref name="farewell"/> At the beginning of the 1970s he also scored work in various television shows. He played Gilbert Bunthorp in the ABC's adaptation of ''The Cousin from Fiji'', a soldier in ''Spyforce'' and a Vietnam veteran in ''The Godfathers''.<ref name="farewell"/> Ward played Mike Parsons in early episodes of the television series ''Number 96'' in 1972,<ref name="Mercado-p92">Mercado, Andrew. ''Super Aussie Soaps'', Pluto Press Australia, 2004. {{ISBN|1-86403-191-3}} p 92.</ref> before later playing Nicholas Brent in the 1974 film version.<ref name="soap"/>
Other early roles came in police drama ''Matlock Police'' in 1973 and as Sam Wandsworth in the teen soap opera ''Class of '74''.<ref name="soap">{{cite web|url=http://members.ozemail.com.au/~fangora/unisex.html |title= Aussie Soap Archive: The Unisexers |work= ozemail.com.au |access-date= 8 May 2015}}</ref> He played the regular role Cornelius (aka 'Corny'), in 1975 serial ''The Unisexers'', produced by Cash Harmon Television, the makers of ''Number 96''.<ref name="soap"/> However, the series was cancelled after just three weeks and 16 episodes, due to poor ratings.<ref name="moran-p471">Moran, Albert. ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', Allen & Unwin, 1993. {{ISBN|0-642-18462-3}} p 471</ref>
Ward had a regular support role as Constable Peter Fleming in the police serial ''Cop Shop'' beginning in late 1977, but left the series within three months of its launch.<ref name="Mercado-p114">Mercado, Andrew. ''Super Aussie Soaps'', Pluto Press Australia, 2004. {{ISBN|1-86403-191-3}} p 114.</ref> In 1980 he was a regular cast member of a new soap opera, ''Arcade'', created by several members of the creative team from ''Number 96''.<ref name="moran-p64"/> He played sports shop owner Craig Carmichael.<ref name="obituary"/> ''Arcade'' was a critical and ratings failure and was cancelled after six weeks on air.<ref name="moran-p64">Moran, Albert. ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', Allen & Unwin, 1993. {{ISBN|0-642-18462-3}} p. 64.</ref><ref name="Mercado-p149-153">Mercado, Andrew. ''Super Aussie Soaps'', Pluto Press Australia, 2004. {{ISBN|1-86403-191-3}} p 149-153.</ref>
Further television credits included short-lived police drama ''The Spoiler'', ''Catch Kandy'', ''Homicide'' and sitcom ''Up The Convicts''.<ref name="obituary"/> He also appeared in ''A Country Practice'' (1983), ''Chances'' (1991) and ''Phoenix'' (1992) and had a regular role in the sitcom ''My Two Wives'' (1992).<ref name="moran-p307-308">Moran, Albert. ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', Allen & Unwin, 1993. {{ISBN|0-642-18462-3}} pp. 307–308.</ref><ref name="farewell"/> He later appeared in ''All Saints'' (2001), ''Farscape'' (2001; 2003) and ''Bad Cop, Bad Cop'' (2003) and ''Home and Away''.<ref name="farewell"/>
Ward's miniseries credits include ''ANZACS'' (1985), alongside Paul Hogan, ''Fields of Fire'' (1987) and ''Bodysurfer'' (1989), based on the short story collection by Robert Drewe. He also appeared in the TV movies ''Kindred Spirits'' and ''Super Sleuth'' (1984).<ref name="obituary"/><ref name="farewell"/>
Ward also appeared in film, an early credit being 1974 cult Ozploitation film ''Stone'' opposite Helen Morse.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Giles |first= Nigel |date= 20 December 2019 |title= Matinee idol was much more than a pretty face |url= https://www.smh.com.au/national/matinee-idol-was-much-more-than-a-pretty-face-20191220-p53lsb.html |access-date= 15 January 2021 |website= The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> The same year, he featured in the opening sequence of Peter Weir's ''The Cars That Ate Paris'' and then played tough guy Tex in 1975 film ''Sidecar Racers''. Other film credits include 1980 thriller ''The Chain Reaction'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk-tv-guide.com/celebrity/Patrick+Ward/27646/|title= Patrick Ward |work=uk-tv-guide.com|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> opposite Steve Bisley, 1987 crime thriller ''Running from the Guns'',<ref name="farewell"/> 1990 romantic drama ''The Crossing'' alongside Russell Crowe<ref name="farewell"/> and 1992 film ''Jindalee Lady''<ref name=oz>{{cite web |title= Jindalee Lady |website= Ozmovies |url= https://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/about/jindalee-lady |access-date= 26 August 2021}}</ref> He later appeared in 2008 thriller ''Restraint'' opposite Teresa Palmer, Travis Fimmel and British actor Stephen Moyer.<ref name=restraint>{{cite web |title= Restraint - Full Cast & Crew |url= https://www.tvguide.com/movies/restraint/cast/2030056051/ |website= TV Guide |access-date= 29 December 2025}}</ref>
Theatre, however, was Ward's first love, which saw him appear in numerous stage productions throughout his career, including ''Butley'', ''Summer of the Seventeenth Doll'', ''Scapino'', ''The Lion in Winter'', ''Mourning Becomes Electra'', ''Caesar and Cleopatra'' and ''Father's Day''.<ref name="farewell"/> Other theatre credits included ''Pyjama Tops'', ''The Shifting Heart'', ''The Removalists'', ''Having a Ball'', ''The Devil's Advocate'', ''True West'' and ''Angel City''.<ref name="farewell"/> From 1979 to 1981 he performed in Kirribilli Pub Theatre shows. A role in Broadway musical ''South Pacific'' saw him tour Thailand in the early 1990s.<ref name="farewell"/>
Despite landing roles in international productions including a 1981 guest role in Aaron Spelling drama ''The Love Boat'', 1986 miniseries ''Spearfield's Daughter'', the 1988 reboot of ''Mission: Impossible'', and sci-fi series ''Farscape'', Ward never had big ambitions to make it internationally.<ref name="farewell"/>
==Personal life and death== Ward died on 14 October 2019, at the age of 69.<ref name="obituary">{{cite web|url= https://televisionau.com/2019/10/obituary-patrick-ward.html |title= Obituary: Patrick Ward |website= www.televisionau.com |date= 14 October 2019 |access-date= 29 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="tvtonight"/> He was survived by his long-term partner Alanna and his sister Sue.<ref name="farewell">{{cite web|url= https://medium.com/the-equity-magazine/farewell-patrick-ward-a-gifted-versatile-australian-star-of-stage-and-screen-49e76a285cb5 |title= Farewell Patrick Ward — A Gifted, Versatile Australian Star of Stage and Screen |website= www.medium.com |first= Nigel |last= Giles |date= 2 March 2020 |access-date= 29 December 2025}}</ref>
==Filmography==
===Film=== {|class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Type |- | 1969 || ''Color Me Dead'' || Extra || Feature film |- | rowspan="2"|1974 || ''The Cars That Ate Paris'' || || Feature film |- | ''Stone'' || Alistair || Feature film |- | rowspan="2"|1975 || ''That Lady from Peking'' || Extra || Feature film |- | ''Sidecar Racers'' || Tex Wilson || Feature film |- | 1980 || ''The Chain Reaction'' || Oates || Feature film |- | 1984 || ''Fantasy Man'' || Max || Feature film |- | 1985 || ''Warming Up'' || Watney || Feature film |- | 1987 || ''Running from the Guns'' || Mulcahy || Feature film |- | 1988 || ''A Day and a Half'' || || Short film |- | rowspan="2"|1990 || ''The Crossing'' || Nev || Feature film |- | ''Jindalee Lady'' || David || Feature film |- | 2008 || ''Restraint'' || Andrew's father || Feature film |- | 2011 || ''Façade'' || Boss || Short film |}
===Television=== {|class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Type |- | rowspan="5"|1972 || ''Number 96'' || Mike Parsons || 5 episodes |- | ''The Spoiler'' || || 1 episode |- | ''Spyforce'' || Lieutenant Wills || 1 episode |- | ''The Cousin from Fiji'' || Gilbert Bunthorp || TV movie |- | ''The Godfathers'' || Vietnam veteran || |- | 1972–1975 || ''Homicide'' || Bruce Milford / Gary Saunders || 2 episodes |- | rowspan="3"|1973 || ''Certain Women'' || || 1 episode |- | ''Matlock Police'' || Ed King || 1 episode |- | ''Catch Kandy'' || Christian Faber || 8 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|1974 || ''Class of '74'' || Sam Wandsworth || |- | ''Number 96'' || Nicholas Brent || TV movie |- | 1975 || ''The Unisexers'' || Cornelius 'Corny' Hastings || 16 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|1976 || ''Is There Anybody There?'' || Duncan || TV movie |- | ''Up the Convicts'' || Roger || Miniseries |- | 1977–1978 || ''Cop Shop'' || Constable Peter Fleming || 27 episodes |- | 1977–1979 || ''Crown Court'' || Court Usher || 7 episodes |- | 1978 || ''Shimmering Light'' || Bruce McBride || TV movie |- | 1980 || ''Arcade'' || Craig Carmichael || 35 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|1981 || ''Holiday Island'' || Greg Costello || 1 episode |- | ''The Love Boat'' || Mongala || 2 episodes |- | 1983 || ''A Country Practice'' || Carl Nash || 2 episodes |- | 1983–1984 || ''Runaway Island'' || Private Evans || 4 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|1984 || ''Kindred Spirits'' || Bondi Taxi Driver || TV movie |- | ''Super Sleuth'' || Oswald McKinnon || TV movie |- | 1985 || ''ANZACS'' || Sergeant Tom McArthur || Miniseries, 3 episodes |- | 1986 || ''Spearfield’s Daughter'' || Philip Napier-Andrews || Miniseries |- | rowspan="2"|1987 || ''Fields of Fire'' || Chook || Miniseries, 2 episodes |- | ''I've Come About the Suicide'' || John Regus || TV movie |- | rowspan="3"|1988 || ''Barracuda'' || Sheedy || TV movie |- | ''Fields of Fire II'' || Chook || Miniseries, 2 episodes |- | ''Rafferty's Rules'' || Ian 'Freddo' Frogmore || 1 episode |- | rowspan="2"|1989 || ''Bodysurfer'' || Kev Parnell || Miniseries, 2 episodes |- | ''Fields of Fire III'' || Chook || Miniseries, 2 episodes |- | 1989; 1997 || ''Home and Away'' || Henry Whiting / Snowy James || 5 episodes |- | 1990 || ''Mission: Impossible'' || Slade || 1 episode |- | 1991 || ''Chances'' || Perry Bergman || 1 episode |- | rowspan="3"|1992 || ''Dearest Enemy'' || || 1 episode |- | ''Phoenix'' || Blazo || 4 episodes |- | ''My Two Wives'' || Taylor || 13 episodes |- | 1997 || ''Mirror, Mirror'' || Tom Potter || 1 episode |- | 2001 || ''All Saints'' || Geoff Darlington || 1 episode |- | 2001; 2003 || ''Farscape'' || Ralnaht / Zylar || 2 episodes |- | 2003 || ''Bad Cop, Bad Cop'' || Reardon || 1 episode |}
==Theatre== {|class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Type |- | 1973 || ''Butley'' || || Independent Theatre, Sydney Playhouse, Canberra with Old Tote Theatre Company |- | rowspan="2"|1976 || ''Mourning Becomes Electra'' || Captain Adam Brant || Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company |- | ''The Lion in Winter'' || || Independent Theatre, Sydney with The Players Company |- | rowspan="2"|1977 || ''Caesar and Cleopatra'' || Achillas || Sydney Opera House with Old Tote Theatre Company |- | ''The Unexpected Guest'' || Stark Widder || Genesian Theatre, Sydney |- | 1978 || ''Father's Day'' || Harold || Mayfair Theatre, Sydney, Total Theatre, Melbourne with Stuart Wagstaff Enterprises |- | rowspan="2"|1979–1980 || ''The Jungle Show'' || Watusi (also playwright) || Kirribilli Pub Theatre, Sydney, Lulu's Theatre Restaurant, Sydney, Luke's Theatre Restaurant, Sydney |- | ''The Vampire Show'' || Igor || Kirribilli Pub Theatre, Sydney, Bronte Inn, Sydney |- | 1981 || ''The Private Eye Show'' || Joe Doe || Kirribilli Pub Theatre, Sydney |- | 1982 || ''The Front Page'' || Hildy Johnson (Herald Examiner) || SGIO Theatre, Brisbane with QTC |- | rowspan="2"|1985 || ''The Removalists'' || || rowspan="2"|Phillip St Theatre, Sydney |- | ''The Shifting Heart'' || |- | 1986 || ''Having a Ball..!'' || || Canberra Theatre with AETT |- | 1988 || ''True West'' || || rowspan="2"|Bay Street Theatre, Sydney |- | 1989 || ''Angel City'' || |- | Early 1990s || ''South Pacific'' || Commander Harbison || Gordon Frost<ref name="farewell"/> |- | 1995 || ''A Passionate Woman'' || || Marian St Theatre, Sydney |- | 1996 || ''Resurrected'' || || Lennox Theatre, Parramatta |} Source:<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/3044 |title= Patrick Ward |website= AusStage |access-date= 29 December 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=0911774|name=Patrick Ward}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ward, Patrick}} Category:1950 births Category:2019 deaths Category:Australian male television actors Category:Male actors from Sydney