John Meillon, OBE (1 May 1934 – 10 August 1989) was an Australian character actor, known for many straight as well as comedy roles, he became most widely known internationally however as Walter Reilly in the films Crocodile Dundee and Crocodile Dundee II. He also voiced Victoria Bitter beer adverts. Meillon was born in Mosman, Sydney. His younger brother was director Bob Meillon (1943–2012). He began his acting career at the age of eleven in the ABC's radio serial "Stumpy" and made his first stage appearance the following year.
He joined the Shakespeare Touring Company when he was sixteen. Like many actors of his generation from 1959 to 1965 he worked in England. He had a recurring role in the TV series My Name's McGooley, What's Yours? He featured in two episodes of Skippy in 1968 and 1969 appearing as "Nimble Norris". In 1976, he won the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role of 'Casey' in the film The Fourth Wish (1976). With his rich baritone, Meillon was used extensively in voice over work- the most famous being his work as the "you can get it any old how" Victoria Bitter narrator. He married Australian actress June Salter in 1958. They were divorced in 1971. They had one son, John Meillon, Jr. He then married actress Bunny Gibson ("Rita the Eta Eater") on 5 April 1972: they also had a son.
Meillon also had a sporadic recording career. Signed to RCA he recorded ''Hot Pie And Tomato Sauce / We're A Weird Mob'' in 1967. In 1977 he recorded ''Tap Tap'' for the movie The Picture Show Man on Albert Productions and in 1987 he recorded ''The One That Got Away'' for the TV show Go Fish Australia on ABC Records
Meillon was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1979 Queen's Birthday Honours, for service to theatre. At 16 Meillon had been junior diving champion of New South Wales. He continued to enjoy swimming, as well as fishing, golf and pub culture. Survived by his wife and his son from his first marriage, he died of cirrhosis on 10 August 1989 at his home at Neutral Bay and was cremated. He was awarded the Raymond Longford lifetime achievement award posthumously.
Meillon was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1979 Queen's Birthday Honours, for service to theatre. At 16 Meillon had been junior diving champion of New South Wales. He continued to enjoy swimming, as well as fishing, golf and pub culture. Survived by his wife and his son from his first marriage, he died of cirrhosis on 10 August 1989 at his home at Neutral Bay and was cremated. He was awarded the Raymond Longford lifetime achievement award posthumously.
SINGLES
''Hot Pie And Tomato Sauce / We're A Weird Mob'' 1967 RCA''Picture Show Man / Tap Tap'' (#80) [with John Ewart] 1977 Albert Productions
''Under Your Spell'' 1987 ABC
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Meillon
''Under Your Spell'' 1987 ABC
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Meillon
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