George Whaley (actor)

George Whaley (19 June 1934 – 6 August 2019) was an Australian actor, director and writer, known for his work across theatre and film.

Early life
Whaley was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia on 19 June 1934. He initially trained as an engineer, before studying acting with Eileen O’Keefe, who introduced him to the teachings of Stanislavski.

Acting
Whaley's first professional acting role was in John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in 1960. He went on to perform at Melbourne's Emerald Hill Theatre (which he opened with Wal Cherry in 1962). He performed (and directed) at all the major theatre companies including Melbourne Theatre Company, Nimrod Theatre Company, the Old Tote Theatre, the Griffin Theatre Company and the Belvoir Street Theatre. He notably played Galileo Galilei on stage in the 1980s and 1990s.

He appeared in films such as Stork (1971), Alvin Purple (1973), Bliss (1985), The Crossing (1990), Turtle Beach (1992) and Daydream Believer (1992).

He also had guest roles in many television series including Consider Your Verdict, Homicide, Division 4, The Flying Doctors, Bodyline, A Country Practice, Mother and Son, All Saints. His last screen credit was an episode of miniseries The Gods of Wheat Street in 2014.

Directing
Whaley directed many plays, including Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children, John Derum's adaptation of C.J. Dennis’ More than a Sentimental Bloke, David Williamson's The Perfectionist and Harold Pinter's Old Times.

He co-founded Theatre ACT (Canberra), was founding Director of University Theatre at University of Melbourne, and Resident Director at Sydney's Old Tote Theatre.

He was also a noted TV director. He wrote and directed the miniseries The Harp in the South and its sequel Poor Man's Orange, as well as the film Dad and Dave: On Our Selection. He directed the film Dancing, produced by David Elfick, which was shown at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 1980. He also directed children programs such as More Winners and Clowning Around.

Whaley undertook a tremendous amount of groundbreaking work with Indigenous actors, such as David Gulpilil, Jack Charles, Ivan Sen, Warwick Thornton and Erica Glynn.

Whaley was responsible for discovering actor Geoffrey Rush, casting him in his first stage role, Waiting for Godot in 1979, and in his first film role, Dad and Dave: On Our Selection in 1995.

He also worked as writer, adaptor, producer, fight director, set designer and designer.

Teaching
Whaley taught as Head of Acting at National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) from 1976 to 1981, where among other students, he taught Mel Gibson, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Hugo Weaving, Philip Quast, Steve Bisley, Tom Burlinson, Linda Cropper, Penny Cook, Anne Tenney, Heather Mitchell and Di Smith.

He joined Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in Sydney as a directing consultant in the mid-1990s, later becoming Head of Directing - a role he held until 2002.

In his later years, Whaley moved to Dorroughby, in the Northern Rivers, where he taught Acting for Stage and Screen at Lismore Conservatorium. He employed Stanislavski's Method in his teachings.

Publications
Whaley penned a 2009 biography about British actor Leo McKern - Leo McKern: the Accidental Actor.

Personal life
Whaley met his wife-to-be Georgina (Georgie) in 1960. They married in 1966, and had two sons, Michael and Matthew, and five grandchildren.

Death
In his final years, George struggled with Parkinsons disease, and relocated to Feros Village in Bangalow, to receive medical care. He passed away in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, on 6 August 2019, aged 85.