Frank Whitten

Frank Edgar Richard Whitten (15 November 1942 – 12 February 2011) was a New Zealand television actor. He was more recently known for playing Ted "Grandpa" West in the New Zealand television show Outrageous Fortune.[1]

Frank Whitten
Born
Frank Edgar Richard Whitten

(1942-11-15)15 November 1942
Te Aroha, Waikato region, New Zealand
Died12 February 2011(2011-02-12) (aged 68)
New Zealand
OccupationActor
Years active1984–2010
Spouse(s)Jana Boková (1970–1979)

Early life and education

Frank Whitten was born in Te Aroha and grew up in the Waikato region in the 1940s and 50s. Around 1963, "with very little experience and even less money", he left for England to become an actor. He also spent time as an improvisational tutor at leading British drama school the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and by 1970 was the school's vice-principal.[1] Over the next eighteen years, Whitten worked in a children's community theatre company he co-founded called Common Stock, which developed plays with, and for, working-class children.[2]

Career

In 1982 Whitten returned to New Zealand and began acting in theatre. Two years later, he appeared as an exploitative guru of a commune in Trespasses, the movie spin off of police show Mortimer's Patch. The same year, Whitten played the enigmatic farmer who strides into the isolated rural world of a young child in Vigil, the first feature directed by Vincent Ward. In the mid-1980s he joined the serial Heroes, playing roadie to a group of young musicians. He followed this role by playing one of the main roles on historical drama Heart of the High Country, based on the novel by English author Elizabeth Gowans.[3]

Whitten had a role in the short film Accidents, and small roles in the romance Arriving Tuesday, Zilch, The Returning, and two international thrillers, Chill Factor and Hot Target. In 2003, he appeared in P.J. Hogan's live action remake of Peter Pan.

On television, he made guest appearances on Erebus: The Aftermath, Gloss, The Chosen, Ray Bradbury Theatre and Mysterious Island, and a lead role in the award-winning miniseries The Leaving of Liverpool.

In 2007, his ongoing role on as "Grandpa" Ted West on Outrageous Fortune won him a best supporting actor award at the New Zealand Screen Awards.

For twelve years, he played the older man in the Speight's "Southern Man" series of television commercials, well known for his character's catchphrase, "Good on ya, mate!"[3]

Theatre

Frank Whitten penned the stage drama Trifecta.

Death

Frank Whitten died on 12 February 2011, aged 68.[4][5] The official media statement stated that "[he] died peacefully in his sleep"[6] following a short battle with cancer[7]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1984VigilEthan Ruir
1984TrespassesStan Gubbins
1985Hot TargetApartment owner
1986Arriving TuesdayFarmer
1988The Clean MachinePremier John MorganTV movie
1989Zilch!Engineer
1989Chill FactorFrank Robertson
1990The Shrimp on the BarbieBlue
1991The ReturningMr. Spiggs
1991Ring of ScorpioJohn WalkerDrama, TV movie
1991WaitingMichael
1992GreenkeepingDad
1994The Roly Poly ManDr. HendersonComedy
1995NapoleonKoalaVoice
1995Dad and Dave: On Our SelectionThe Swagman
1997Doing Time for Patsy ClineWatson
1997The RipperDr. PearceThriller, TV movie
1998The ChosenEddie O'ConnorDrama, TV movie
1999Me Myself ICharlie
1999AirtightEscherAction / Drama / Romance / Sci-Fi / Thriller, TV movie
2001The Man Who Sued GodPrimate
2003Peter PanStarkey
2004FloodhouseManaroan in Aviator Hat
2005Hell Has Harbour ViewsGiles Taffy QCDrama / Comedy, TV movie

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1984HeroesLeslieSeries regular, 9 episodes
1985Heart of the High CountryReg BowenMain role
1986Open HouseTony Van Der Berg"Happy Birthday" (S01E01)
1989The Brotherhood of the RoseunknownMiniseries
1989The Shadow TraderKevin McCarthyEpisode 1
1990The New Adventures of Black BeautyGilbert de Mauria"Deceptive Appearances" (S01E05)
1990The Ray Bradbury TheaterMr. Cooger"The Black Ferris" (S04E04)
1992The Leaving of LiverpoolBrother Jeromeunknown
1992The Ray Bradbury TheaterOdd Martin"The Dead Man" (S06E07)
1992The Ray Bradbury TheaterMailman"Great Wide World Over There" (S06E14)
1993PhoenixStan Cutler"In on the Joke" (S02E08)
1993Police RescueGlasel"Speeding" (S03E08)
1993-1994SecretsTom JacobsMain role
1995Heartbreak HighBobSeason 2, Episode 5
1995Mysterious IslandAyrtonMain role
1996Naked: Stories of MenFather Dunfree"Coral Island" (S01E01)
1996Sun on the StubblePastorMiniseries, unknown episodes
1996City LifeCarl JonesSeason 1, Episodes 7 & 8
1997Murder CallBlackie"Heartstopper" (S01E16)
1998Good Guys, Bad GuysBeau Kinsella"100% Proof" (S02E09)
1999All SaintsKen Burns"If These Walls Could Talk" (S02E05)
2001ChangiDr. Potter"Private Bill" (S01E03)
2003All SaintsAlbert Tolz"Destiny's Child" (S06E03)
2004All SaintsJoe McLean"When Worlds Collide" (S07E24)
2004Love My WayKel"Stick Sisters" (S01E05)
2005-2010Outrageous Fortune'Grandpa' Ted WestMain role, (final appearance)
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References
  1. Megahey, Leslie: Esteemed drama teacher and actor who was prominent in radical theatre, The Age, 11 April 2011.
  2. Craig, Sandy (1980). Dreams and deconstructions: alternative theatre in Britain. Amber Lane Press. ISBN 0-906399-19-X.
  3. Frank Whitten Biography, NZ On Screen.
  4. Outrageous Fortune actor Frank Whitten has died - throng.co.nz
  5. Murray, James (13 February 2011). "Frank Whitten - Outrageous Fortune's Grandpa has died". 3 News. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  6. "Official Media Statement on Whitten's death". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  7. Rodger, Kate (14 February 2011). "Co-stars pay tribute to Outrageous Fortune's Frank whitten". 3 News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
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