| Gus Mercurio | |
| Birth Name: | Augustino Eugenio Mercurio |
| Birth Date: | 10 August 1928 |
| Birth Place: | West Bend, Wisconsin, US |
| Death Place: | Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Years Active: | 1970–2008 |
| Family: | Paul Mercurio (dancer-actor) (son) |
Augustino Eugenio Mercurio (10 August 19287 December 2010) better known as Gus Mercurio, was an American-born Australian character actor who appeared in radio, television, and film.
Mercurio, the eldest child of Vincent A. Mercurio and Cecilia W. "Mickey" Miller, was born in West Bend, Wisconsin near Milwaukee.[1] He had two sisters, Gerie and Connie, and a brother, Tony.[2] His parents were divorced when he was seven.
He visited Australia during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and decided to stay.[3]
His father had boxed professionally under the name of Vince McGurk, and one of his uncles had boxed professionally under the name of Ray Miller. Mercurio himself was a professional boxer, had served in the United States Marine Corps and was also a chiropractor[4]
Mercurio was also an international boxing judge (refereeing a world title fight) and was also a well-known boxing promoter. He later became the inaugural president of the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame – into which he was inducted in 2008.
He was successful at his first audition for an ABC radio play. His raspy voice, energetic personality and natural talents quickly came to the attention of Australian television production houses such as Crawford Productions.[4]
He also worked as a commentator for Channel 7's World of Sport, as well as acting as the movie host for Channel 10's Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio.[5]
Mercurio appeared in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company (1975), its follow-up Tandarra (1976) and the miniseries Power Without Glory (1976). Additionally, he played many guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide (1964), Division 4 (1969) and Matlock Police (1971). His film appearances include The Blue Lagoon (1980), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Turkey Shoot (1982), Crocodile Dundee II (1988), Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991) and Doing Time for Patsy Cline (1997).
Mercurio was married twice and fathered seven children, including dancer/actor Paul Mercurio, the star of the film Strictly Ballroom (1992).
He died on 7 December 2010 from complications during surgery for a chest aneurysm.[6] He was 82 years old.
| Year | Title | Role | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Alvin Purple Rides Again | Jake | Feature film | |
| 1976 | Eliza Fraser | Darge | Feature film | |
| 1976 | The Dreamers | Feature film | ||
| 1977 | Raw Deal | Ben | Feature film | |
| 1977 | High Rolling | Nightclub Bouncer | Feature film | |
| 1980 | Harlequin | Mr. Bergier | Feature film | |
| 1980 | The Blue Lagoon | Officer | Feature film | |
| 1980 | Dead Man's Float | Mr. Dobraski | Feature film | |
| 1982 | Turkey Shoot | Red | Feature film | |
| 1982 | The Man from Snowy River | Frew | Feature film | |
| 1983 | The Return of Captain Invincible | Noisy Garbageman | Feature film | |
| 1985 | I Live with Me Dad | Waldo Skrimm | TV film | |
| 1987 | Running from the Guns | Chazza | Feature film | |
| 1988 | Crocodile Dundee II | Frank | Feature film | |
| 1991 | Return to the Blue Lagoon | First Mate | Feature film | |
| 1992 | Survive the Savage Sea | Mr Haines | TV film | |
| 1993 | Official Denial | Joe Dan | TV film | |
| 1994 | Lightning Jack | Tough Guy | Feature film | |
| 1994 | Mdday Crisis | Short film | ||
| 1997 | Doing Time for Patsy Cline | Tyrone | Feature film | |
| 2001 | Curse of the Talisman | Junkyard Owner | TV film | |
| 2002 | Dalkeith | Enzo Petroni | Feature film | |
| 2010 | The Otherside | Carmello | Short film |
| Year | Title | Role | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Homicide | Guest role | TV series | |
| 1969 | Division 4 | Guest role | TV series | |
| 1971 | Matlock Police | Guest role | TV series | |
| 1973 | Frank and Francesca | TV series, 6 episodes | ||
| 1975 | Cash and Company | Joe Brady | Miniseries, 13 episodes | |
| 1976 | Power Without Glory | Sparring Partner / Bill Timms | TV series | |
| 1976 | The Sullivans | George | TV series | |
| 1976 | Tandarra[7] | Joe Brady | Miniseries, 13 episodes | |
| 1979 | TV Follies | Maxy Missouri | TV series | |
| 1983 | All the Rivers Run | Tom Critchley | TV series | |
| 1984 | Special Squad | Haliwell | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1983-85 | Five Mile Creek | Ben Jones | TV series | |
| 1986 | The Challenge | Vic Romagna | Miniseries | |
| 1990 | The Great Air Race | 'Granny' Granville | Miniseries | |
| 1993 | Time Trax | Announcer | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1993 | The Flying Doctors | Happy | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1993 | Stark | Larry | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| 1993 | All Together Now | Freddy Vale | 1 episode | |
| 1993, 1998 | The Saddle Club | Bluey, Mick | TV series, 2episodes | |
| 1996-99 | Flipper | Cap Daulton | TV series | |
| 1997 | Neighbours | Trainer | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2000 | Tales of the South Seas | Miniseries, 1 episode | ||
| 2001, 2004 | Blue Heelers | Harry Spencer, Jim Steedman | TV series, 2 episodes | |
| World of Sport | Commentator | TV series | ||
| Saturday Night with Gus Mercurio | Movie host | TV series |