{{Short description|Australian screenwriter (1938–2018)}} {{EngvarB|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Tony Morphett | image = Tony Morphett 2011.jpg | caption = Morphett in October 2011 | birth_name = Anthony David Morphett | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1938|3|10}} | birth_place = Granville, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2018|6|2|1938|3|10}} | death_place = Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia | occupation = Screenwriter | website = [http://tonymorphett.com/ Tony Morphett – The Bottom Drawer] | years_active = 1964–2018 | spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Betty Savage|1961|1968|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Inga Hunter|1969|}}}} }}
'''Anthony David Morphett''' (10 March 1938 – 2 June 2018) was an Australian screenwriter, who created or co-created many Australian television series, including ''Dynasty'', ''Certain Women'', ''Sky Trackers'', ''Blue Heelers'', ''Water Rats'', ''Above the Law'' and ''Rain Shadow''. Morphett wrote eight novels, and wrote or co-wrote seven feature films, ten telemovies, twelve mini-series, and hundreds of episodes of television drama, as well as devising or co-devising seven TV series. He won 14 industry awards for TV screenwriting.
==Career==
Morphett started as a copy-boy and cadet reporter for ''The Daily Telegraph'' in 1956.
He moved to the ABC in 1957 where he worked in the ABC Talks Department for 10 years, presenting ''The Lively Arts'' and ''Spectrum''. While at the ABC he published his first novels. The second of these, ''Fitzgerald'', was withdrawn on publication in 1965: the reason given by publishers Jacaranda was that its protagonist, an artist, had the same name as a living artist, Paul Fitzgerald.<ref>'A Fuss About Fitz' ''Sydney Morning Herald'' 12 November 1965 p. 6</ref>
Morphett's first drama credit was ''Objector'' for ''Australian Playhouse''.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|magazine=Filmink|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/forgotten-australian-television-plays-boy-with-banner-objector-and-watch-it/?fbclid=IwAR0OTtx-FMLFPi2Wpk58-tsnRoz_WET2AJdAgot7iLLqlymBeldzdCm8ZOE|date=29 August 2023|title=Forgotten Australian Television Plays: Boy with Banner, Objector and Watch It}}</ref>
He left the ABC in 1968 to become a freelance writer, writing primarily for TV and film. His third novel, ''Thorskald'' (1969) was also about an artist, though Morphett referred to them in 1969 as separate works.<ref>Stuart Sayers "An Author of Many Colours", Melbourne ''Age'', 4October 1969 p. 8</ref>
Morphett was on the literature board of the Australia Council for four years from 1977–1981, and the board of the Australian Children's Television Foundation for eight years from 1985–1994. From 2003, he was a board member of the Australian Writers' Foundation, and occasionally served on the committee of the Australian Writers' Guild.
Career highlights include writing the scripts for the feature films ''The Shiralee'', ''The Last Wave'' and ''Robbery Under Arms'', and creating the television series ''Blue Heelers'', ''Water Rats'' and ''Certain Women''.
Morphett was interviewed in 1975 by Hazel de Berg about his career as a writer. The recording can be found at the National Library of Australia.<ref>Morphett, T.; de Berg, H. (interviewer) (1975). [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1458925 ''<nowiki>Tony Morphett interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection [sound recording]</nowiki>''], National Library of Australia, Retrieved 20 April 2026.</ref> In 1985 he wrote ''A Hole in My Ceiling'' about his conversion to Christianity, in which he was influenced by Phillip Jensen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manchester |first1=Simon |title=Jesus’ 5 Bold Claims, Part 2: The Claim to Save the World — A Christian Growth Message |url=https://hope1032.com.au/faith/jesus-5-bold-claims-part-2-the-claim-to-save-the-world-a-christian-growth-message/ |publisher=Hope 103.2 |access-date=23 April 2026 |date=23 November 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Two marriages: * 1962: Morphett married Betty Savage, daughter of Major Percival Savage, DSO, MBE and Marjorie Savage (née Hall). They had three children: Daniel, Benjamin and Anna. They divorced in 1968. * 1969: Morphett lived with and later married Inga Hunter, daughter of Professor T.G. Hunter and Helena Hunter (née Wright). They had two children: Emma (deceased) and Sarah.
Morphett and Inga Hunter lived together in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, with a number of cats.
Morphett was the younger brother of Margaret Chandler (nee Morphett).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131719865 |title=Chandler In Witness Box |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=37 |issue=10,543 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=23 May 1963 |accessdate=27 March 2023 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Her death at Lane Cove on 1 January 1963 whilst in the company of Dr Gilbert Bogle (also deceased) remains an unsolved mystery popularly referred to as the Bogle–Chandler case.
==Death==
In 2007 following a bout of influenza, Morphett suffered heart failure. This left his heart in a weakened state, which eventually led to his death.
On 2 June 2018, after a brief period of hospitalisation, he died at Katoomba Hospital from heart failure. He was with family as he died.<ref name="tvtonight">{{cite news |title=Vale: Tony Morphett |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/06/vale-tony-morphett.html |access-date=4 June 2018 |work=TV Tonight |date=4 June 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-05/tony-morphett-screenwriter-for-the-sullivans-dies/9832866 | title = Tony Morphett, screenwriter for The Sullivans, dies aged 80 after prolific career | newspaper = ABC News | date = 4 June 2018 | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date = 4 June 2018 }}</ref>
==Credits== * '' A Place to Call Home'' (1 episode 2013) * '' Serangoon Road'' (1 episode 2013) * '' Packed to the Rafters '' (3 episodes 2009–2010) * '' The Legend of Enyo '' (2 episodes 2010) * ''Sea Patrol'' (6 episodes, 2007–2008) * ''Rain Shadow'' (2 episodes, 2007) * ''Blue Heelers'' (510 episodes, 1994–2006) * ''MDA'' (1 episode, 2002) * ''Young Lions'' (3 episodes, 2002) * ''Balmain Boys'' (2002) (TV) (written by) * ''Water Rats'' (171 episodes, 1996–2001) * ''Above the Law'' (7 episodes, 2000) * ''Don't Look Behind You'' (1999) (TV) (teleplay) * ''Kings in Grass Castles'' (1998) TV mini-series (writer) * ''13 Gantry Row'' (1998) (TV) (written by) * ''Mirror, Mirror'' (1995) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''Heartbreak High'' (1 episode, 1994) * ''The Seventh Floor'' (1994) (written by) * ''Sky Trackers'' (1994) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''Crimebroker'' (1993) (TV) (written by) * ''Secrets'' (1993) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''G.P.'' (6 episodes, 1991–1992) * ''Tracks of Glory'' (1992) TV mini-series (writer) * ''Sweet Talker'' (1991) (story) (written by) * ''Sky Trackers'' (1990) (TV) (written by) * ''Bangkok Hilton'' (1989) TV mini-series (story) * ''Boys in the Island'' (1989) (written by) * ''The Dirtwater Dynasty'' (1988) TV mini-series (writer) * ''The Flying Doctors'' (10 episodes, 1986–1988) * ''The Shiralee'' (1987) TV mini-series (writer) * ''The Riddle of the Stinson'' (1987) (TV) (written by) * ''Dark Age'' (1987) (screenplay) * ''My Brother Tom'' (1986) TV mini-series (writer) * ''Land of Hope'' (1986) TV series (writer) * ''Robbery Under Arms'' (1985) (writer) * ''Winners'' (1985) TV series (episode 3 "Quest Beyond Time") * ''The Flying Doctors'' (1985) TV mini-series (writer) * ''A Country Practice'' (5 episodes, 1982–1983) * ''Under Capricorn'' (1983) TV mini-series (writer) * ''Patrol Boat'' (1979) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''Skyways'' (2 episodes) *'' The Oracle'' (1979) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''The John Sullivan Story'' (1979) (TV) (written by) * ''Against the Wind'' (1978) TV mini-series (unknown episodes) * ''Chopper Squad'' (2 episodes, 1978) * ''Case for the Defence'' (1 episode, 1978) * ''The Last Wave'' (1977) (screenplay) * ''Glenview High'' (1 episode, 1977) * ''The Young Doctors'' TV series (1976) (writer) * ''The Sullivans'' (1976) TV series (writer) * ''Luke's Kingdom'' (1976) TV mini-series (writer) * ''The Alternative'' (1976) (TV) (written by) * ''The Seven Ages of Man'' (1 episode, 1975) * ''The Story of the First Christmas'' (1975) (TV) (script) * ''Elephant Boy'' (1973) TV series (unknown episodes) * ''Boney'' (5 episodes, 1972–1973) * ''Certain Women'' (1973) TV series (creator) * ''The Evil Touch'' (1 episode, 1973) * ''Catwalk'' (6 episodes, 1971–1972) * ''Dynasty'' (13 episodes, 1969–1971) *''Devlin'' (1971) * ''Delta'' (2 episodes, 1969–1970) * ''The Long Arm'' (2 episodes, 1970) * ''The Link Men'' *''Australian Plays'' (1969) *''Australian Playhouse''
==Stage plays== * ''I've Come about the Assassination'' (1966)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsM/morphett-tony.html | title=Tony Morphett – Complete Guide to the Playwright | publisher=The Playwright's Database | access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref> * ''The Rise and Fall of Boronia Avenue'' (1969)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.doubledialogues.com/issue_eleven/guthrie.html | title=The experimental Jane Street seasons: seeking the Australian play and finding Australian performances | author=Adrian Guthrie | year=2009 | publisher=Double Dialogues | access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref> * ''The Magic Apron'' (1969)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=403548 | title="The Magic apron" by Tony Morphett, 1969 | year=2007 | publisher=State Library of NSW | access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref>
==Books== * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Mayor's Nest | publisher=Jacaranda Press | year=1964 }} (novel) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Fitzgerald | publisher=Jacaranda Press | year=1965 }} (novel) (withdrawn) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Dynasty | publisher=Jacaranda Press | year=1967 }} (novel) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Thorskald | publisher=Lloyd O'Neil | year=1969 }} (novel) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Quest Beyond Time | publisher=Penguin Books with Australian Children's Television Foundation | year=1985 | isbn=0140084096 }} (science fiction) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=The Distant Home | publisher=Mammoth | year=1993 | isbn=1863302182 }} (science fiction) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=A Hole in my Ceiling | publisher=Hodder & Stoughton | year=1985 | isbn=0340271825 }} (non-fiction) * {{cite book | author=Tony Morphett | title=Starship Home | publisher=Amazon | year=2013 }} (science fiction)
==Awards and nominations== * 1970 Awgie: Tony Morphett for ''Delta'' ep. 19 "A Touch Of DFP".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/deltaeps.htm | title=Classic Australian Television – Delta Episode Details | author=Don Storey | year=2008 | publisher=Classic Australian Television | access-date=23 April 2011 }}</ref> * 1970 Penguin: Tony Morphett – Scriptwriting for ''Dynasty'' play.<ref name="Dynasty Eps">{{cite web | url=http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/dynasty_eps.htm | title=Classic Australian Television – Dynasty Episode Details | author=Don Storey | year=2008 | publisher=Classic Australian Television | access-date=23 April 2011 }}</ref> * 1971 Logie: Tony Morphett – Best Scriptwriter.<ref name="Dynasty Eps"/> * 1971 Penguin: Tony Morphett – Scriptwriting for episode 12 "The Killing Ground".<ref name="Dynasty Eps"/> * 1971 Awgie: Tony Morphett – Best Script For A TV Drama Series for episode 5 "Cry Me A River".<ref name="Dynasty Eps"/> * 1972 Logie: Tony Morphett – Best Scriptwriter, for ''Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.milesago.com/tv/logies.htm | title=The TV Week Logie Awards | year=1972 | publisher=MilesAgo | access-date=23 April 2011 }}</ref> * 1978 Sammy Award – best writer TV series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crawfords.com.au/awards/awards_sullivans.shtml | title=Crawford Production Awards | publisher=Crawford Production | access-date=24 April 2011 }}</ref> * 1989 Awgie: Tony Morphett – for "The Damage Done".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.acountrypractice.com/Exam/awards.html | title=A Country Practice – Awards Won | author=Kitty MacAlpine | publisher=JNP Productions | access-date=23 April 2011 }}</ref> * 2002 Awgie: Tony Morphett – for "Letting Go" (Blue Heelers).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/awards/awgie2002.html | title=Australian Television Information Archive | author=T. Zuk | date=1998–2011 | publisher=Australian Television Information Archive | access-date=23 April 2011 }}</ref> <!-- To do: Australian Writer’s Guild Best Screenplay Any Medium 1973, 1979 Australian Writers' Guild Awards 1969, 1973, 1979 Australian Television Society Awards 1970, 1971, 1987 Australian Academy of Broadcasting Arts and Sciences (Pater Award) 1987, 1988 -->
==Notes== * "''The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia — Theatre . Film . Radio . Television — Volume 1''" — Ann Atkinson, Linsay Knight, Margaret McPhee — Allen & Unwin Pty. Ltd., 1996 * "''The Australian Film and Television Companion''" — compiled by Tony Harrison — Simon & Schuster Australia, 1994 ==References== {{ Reflist }}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0606179|name=Tony Morphett}} * [http://www.tonymorphett.com/ Tony Morphett's web site]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Morphett, Tony}} Category:1938 births Category:2018 deaths Category:Australian screenwriters Category:Logie Award winners Category:Writers from Sydney Category:Australian Christians Category:Converts to Christianity