Despite a busy year – including a TV Week Gold Logie Award Nomination – Ray Meagher is gearing up for a cracking 2023.
There are few people in the entertainment industry who’ve been fortunate enough to be recognised for their work. But in 2022, Ray Meagher was celebrated – twice – by his peers and the public.
In July, the man who has played Alf Stewart since 1988, was nominated for a TV WEEK Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian TV.
Ray, who won the coveted award in 2010, called the experience ”humbling”.
”The Gold Logie nomination for the second time – I suppose the averages aren’t bad: win one, lose one – I’m pretty happy with that,” Ray, 78, tells TV WEEK.
”’The nomination is always good.”’
Humble he may be, but Ray’s impact on pop culture is more significant than he cares to admit.
In a special episode of This Is Your Life, family, friends and colleagues – including former H&A stars Judy Nunn, Kate Ritchie and Bec Hewitt – paid tribute to Ray, praising his generosity and kindness.
”I was humbled, flattered and blown away by that whole experience,” the actor says.
”They’re all such amazing people and said lovely things. It brought a tear to my eye.”
While he dismisses the idea of being part of our cultural fabric, a recent news report may suggest otherwise. In the Northern Territory, businesses were warned to look out for fake bank notes bearing the face of Ray and wildlife warrior Steve Irwin after some were stolen from a film production in Alice Springs.
Ray enjoys a laugh at the thought.
”As long as I can have a copy, that’s fine…. well, as long as I can have a whole lot of copies!” he says.
”Things like this that happen and are out of my control. You can’t do much about it other than have a bit of a chuckle.”
In a more comfortable space, Ray enjoyed the challenges of filming Home and Away – “The storyline with Marilyn’s [Emily Symons] daughter [Heather, played by Sofia Nolan] was enjoyable. We shot that on location in Young [in country NSW],” he says – and already has big plans for 2023.
”I’ve been talking to our script producer about a potential Alf storyline – I can’t say much, but it’s different for H&A,” he teases.
”Our traditional audience is a bit younger, but I think this one will be relevant to people my age.”
But for now, rest and recovery are all that’s on the agenda as he heads to Queensland for a sunny Christmas.
”After a long filming year, it’s time for a break and a recharge – the mad flurry leading up to Christmas isn’t much fun,” he says.
”[But] it’s a great time to get together with family and friends.”
