Gordon Piper

Piper was born on 3 June 1932 to parents Clive Reginald Piper and Mildred Nelly Piper (née Johnson) on their dairy farm in the Sydney suburb of Cheltenham. He began performing as a child, singing soprano for the Sydney Boys' Choir and making his radio debut with a choir on 2FC.[1]

Piper began his professional career acting in radio plays, and later branched out to touring variety acts which toured local pubs and clubs. He worked as a television extra for several years, before taking to the stage for a theatre career. Notable roles in the 1970s included a long-running stint in the play Dimboola, and a role as a bartender in the film My Brilliant Career.[1] He was also involved in Werrington's own Henry Lawson Theatre performing both on stage and as director.

Piper is best known for his long-term role as town plumber Robert Menzies 'Bob' Hatfield in the television soap A Country Practice, appearing from episode 4 of that series in 1981 until 1992, becoming one of the longest-serving actors in an Australian drama series, until he was written out of the series alongside co-star Syd Heylen, as the producers wanted to concentrate on a younger cast and an updated formula. The decision was later regretted and co-star Brian Wenzel agreed in an interview in TV Week that the two actors were a large part of the series' comedic storylines.

Other television roles included Homicide, Boney, Spyforce, and the made-for-TV film Hector's Bunyip. He appeared in the film The Dark Room.

Piper served as the associate director of the Arts Council of New South Wales. He was also a founding member of P.A.C.T. (Producers, Actors, Composers and Talents), one of the best-known actors' studios in Sydney. He and actor Leonard Teale produced 'fill-ins' for ABC-TV prior to the widespread broadcasting of music videos.

Piper's wife Judith Ann Piper (formerly Price) died in 1981 and he wrote and directed an episode of A Country Practice in dedication to her and her story. Gordon's daughter Kerrin-Gai and son Kim both live in Australia.

In 1999, Piper was charged with the sexual molestation of an 11-year-old girl who attended his house at Penrith to help him unpack boxes.[2] Piper, however, always maintained his innocence and was subsequently acquitted of the charges.[3]

Piper had diabetes, which affected his circulation and eventually resulted in the amputation of both his legs.[1] He suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to Blacktown Hospital and died on 19 September 2004 at the age of 72.[3]

• Gordon Piper tribute website
• Gordon Piper at IMDb