Richard Moir (born 1950) is an Australian former actor and editor.
Career
Moir initially began his career as a film editor for low-budget 1970s Australian films and TV series, many of which were the work of director Esben Storm. He struck up a friendship with Storm that was instrumental in kick-starting his acting career. Moir was also a film assistant for Four Corners and later worked as a reporter for A Current Affair before he transitioned to acting.
Moir first became known for his role in the TV soap opera Prisoner (also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H) as the original character of electrician Eddie Cook.
Moir is also well known for playing 'Dad' Tony Twist in the first two seasons of children's comedy Round the Twist for 26 episodes, from 1989 to 1992, before Andrew Gilbert took over the role for the final two seasons. From 1993 to 1999, he played the regular role of Sergeant Clive O'Connor in crime drama series Law of the Land.
Moir appeared in several miniseries, including Players in the Gallery (1980) and 1915 (1982). The latter was a big budget Logie Award-winning production, based on the novel by Roger McDonald, in which he was part of the ensemble cast which included Sigrid Thornton. He also had roles in The Last Bastion (1984), Land of Hope (1985) and The Challenge (1986–1987), the latter, a retelling of Australia's win in the 1983 America’s Cup sailing race, in which Moir appeared alongside Nicholas Hammond and Lorraine Bayly. Further miniseries included The Fremantle Conspiracy (1988), Bodysurfer (1989) and Ring of Scorpio (1991).
Moir also had television guest roles in Kirby's Company (1977), Chopper Squad (1978), Cop Shop (1978–1980), The Sullivans (1980), Bellamy (1981), Carson's Law (1984), Special Squad (1984), A Country Practice (1984–1992), Winners (1985; 1990), Dolphin Cove (1989), Rafferty's Rules (1989), G.P. (1989) and Phoenix (1993).
Moir's film credits are also numerous, beginning in 1974 with 27A. In 1978, he starred as Tony, opposite Judy Morris, Bill Hunter and Chris Haywood in In Search of Anna. He went on to appear in The Odd Angry Shot (1979), The Chain Reaction (1980), Heatwave, Running on Empty, Going Down (all in 1982), With Prejudice (1983), and An Indecent Obsession (1985). In 1987, he had a starring role as Al the chef in Jilted, opposite Tina Bursill. He further appeared in Minnamurra (1989), Isabelle Eberhardt (1991), Welcome to Woop Woop and Joey (both 1997). He also appeared in made-for-television films.
In 2022, Moir made a return to acting when he appeared in the short film Not Dark Yet, playing a man deteriorating from Parkinson's Disease, made by his daughter, Bonnie.
Personal life Moir was married to actress Julie Nihill, with whom he shares two daughters, actress Lucy Moir and director Bonnie Moir.
In 1990, Moir was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. At first, he successfully hid his diagnosis, but when his speech started to become affected, the degenerative effects of the disease gradually brought his acting career to a premature end.
Moir later underwent deep brain stimulation therapy, a process covered by Esben Storm’s 2006 documentary The Bridge at Midnight Trembles. The short film Not Dark Yet, made by his filmmaker daughter Bonnie, also mirrors Moir's life. His portrayal of a role of a man deteriorating from Parkinson's disease was much praised.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1974 27A Richard 1978 In Search of Anna Tony Hanging About Short film 1979 The Odd Angry Shot Medic 1980 The Chain Reaction Jr. Const. Pigott 1982 Heatwave Stephen West Sweet Dreamers Will Daniels Running On Empty (aka Fast Lane Fever) Fox Going Down Hotel night manager The Plains of Heaven (aka Panic Station) Barker 1983 With Prejudice Middleton 1985 Wrong World David Trueman An Indecent Obsession Luce Daggett 1987 Jilted Al 1988 Point of Departure Party Leader 1989 Minnamurra (aka Outback or Wrangler) Bill Thompson 1991 Isabelle Eberhardt Lt. Comte Deadly Willie the Pathologist 1997 Welcome to Woop Woop Reggie Joey School Teacher 2002 Not Dark Yet Russell Short film 2006 The Bridge at Midnight Trembles Self Documentary film
Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1977 Kirby's Company Episode 13: "I owe you 13 cents" 1978 Chopper Squad Curley Season 2, episode 8: "The Other Man's Grass" 1978–1980 Cop Shop Ken Spencer / Mark Doyle / Chris Porter / Jock Gould 7 episodes 1979 Prisoner Eddie Cook 16 episodes 1980 Players in the Gallery David TV movie The Department Peter TV movie The Sullivans Mr Harris 2 episodes 1981 Bellamy Carter Episode 5: "Swan Song" Sporting Chance Andy Tate Episode 1: "You Can't Eat Medals" 1982 1915 Reverend Fox Miniseries, 6 episodes 1984 Singles Stefan Miniseries, 1 episode The Last Bastion Major Carlyon Miniseries, 3 episodes Carson's Law Henry Collins Episode 128: "A Fond Concept" Special Squad Errol Episode 43: "Gone for the Doctor" 1984–1992 A Country Practice Doug Simmonds / Geoff Gibson Seasons 4 & 12, 4 episodes 1985 Remember Me Howard TV movie The Long Way Home Bob TV movie Land of Hope Dominic Quinn Miniseries 1985; 1990 Winners The King / Minister Seasons 1–2, 2 episodes 1986–1987 The Challenge Warren Jones Miniseries, 6 episodes 1988 Alterations Richard TV movie The Fremantle Conspiracy Hogan Miniseries Hard Knuckle Alister TV movie 1989 Dolphin Cove Episode 3: "Reading, Writing, and Telepathy" Rafferty's Rules Geoffrey Sole Season 5, episode 13: "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" Bodysurfer Brian Miniseries, 2 episodes G.P. Paul Donaldson Season 3, episode 7: "Testament/Say a Little Prayer" 1989–1992 Round the Twist Tony Twist Seasons 1–2, 26 episodes 1991 Ring of Scorpio Sergeant Hayes Miniseries, 4 episodes 1993 Phoenix Tony Hansen Season 2, episode 4: "The Return" 1993–1999 Law of the Land Sergeant Clive O'Connor Seasons 1–4, 38 episodes 1997 One Way Ticket Governor TV movie
Theatre Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1976 The Speakers Cafferty Nimrod Theatre Company, Sydney 1982 Godsend Reverend Hugh Stacey Melbourne Athenaeum with MTC1983 Vocations Godrey Hannam La Boite Theatre, Brisbane Betrayal Robert Edward St Theatre, Brisbane with QTC
References
External links