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Ross Newton

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Ross Newton
Born (1967-02-20) 20 February 1967 (age 57)
OccupationActor

Ross Newton (born 20 February 1967) is an Australian actor born in Melbourne, Victoria, he graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1989 with distinctions ,and later became best known for playing Greg Marshall in the television series Home and Away.

Career

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Newton grew up in the Australian city of Melbourne.[1] He first wanted to act at the aged of five, after watching the film The Wizard of Oz. Later in his teens, Newton knew he wanted a career in acting.[2] In 1987, he began studying Acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, New South Wales.[2] His parents believed that acting would only be a mere hobby for their son. However, by aged fifteen, he started appearing in Melbourne based theatre, film, TV productions and student graduate films.

In 1990, Newton joined the cast of the Nine Network soap opera Family and Friends, playing the role of construction worker Bartholomew Thomas Purvis (Thommo). [1] Thommo was Newton's first regular and prominent television role.[1] In 1991, Newton played the role of John Harding in the Australian erotic thriller film Fatal Bond.[3][4]. He later played the role of Edward Adam Stuart Young (Easy) in the acclaimed Australian ABC television series, G.P. . That year, he also joined the cast of the Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, playing the regular role of Greg Marshall. Newton originally signed a two-year contract with the series.[5] During Newton's time on the show, he created an iconic character and storyline with Nicolle Dickson who played Bobby Simpson.[6] After one year in the series, Newton believed his character was boring and convinced producers to make Greg a more exciting role by committing adultery.[2] Newton decided to leave the role in 1993.[7] In 1994 and again in 1995, Newton joined other Australian actors in the British pantomime season.[8]

In 2002, Newton appeared in the Australian-American science fiction television series, Farscape, playing the role of Sloggard.[9] Newton was seen by casting directors for the role of Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings film franchise. He "worked hard" on the audition but lost out to Sean Astin.[10]

Personal life

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[11] Newton has been in a relationship with dressage rider and trainer, Lucas Hurps for more than twenty-five years.[12] In 2019, Newton revealed that he concealed his sexuality on the advice of a Home and Away producer who suggested being honest could affect his acting career. Newton recalled that it was "really challenging" and had a "huge effect" on his personal life.[11] He similarly told a reporter from The Daily Telegraph that he believed his sexuality had affected which acting roles he won.[10] Away from acting, Newton works as a fundraiser and development manager for Western Sydney University, which he still works as of 2023.[13][12][10]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 The Fast Lane Robby Williams Guest role
1986 Prime Time Danny Eilwood Guest role
1986 The Flying Doctors Harry Guest role
1986 My Brother Tom Les Connor Guest role
1986 The Great Bookie Robbery Police officer Guest role
1988 Witchcraft William Film role
1990 Rafferty's Rules James Guest role
1990 Skirts Dipp Guest role
1990 Family and Friends Bartholomew Purvis (Thommo) Regular role
1990-1991 G.P. Easy Guest role
1991 Fatal Bond John Harding Film role
1991-1993, 2000 Home and Away Greg Marshall Regular role
1996-1997 Pacific Drive Roger West Recurring role
1999 All Saints Dean Bledsoe Guest role
2002 Farscape Sloggard Guest role
2002 Crash Palace Charlie Regular role
2004 The Crop Cop Guest role
2003, 2006 Comedy Inc Various Guest role
2010 Cops LAC Lionel Tibbs Guest role
2012 The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show Office manager Guest role
2023 Winter Swim - Late for Love The man Short film
Sources:[1][3][6][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Shelley, Garry (14 April 1990). "Take it off, Thommo!". TV Week. Southdown Press. p. 55.
  2. ^ a b c Walker, Natalie (24 December 1994). "The cutest Buttons of them all?". Ely Town Crier. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ a b "Fatal Bond". TV Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Ross Newton on ASO - Australia's audio and visual heritage online". National Film and Sound Archive. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. ^ Brown, David; Williams, Glen (12 October 1991). "Look who Sam's brought together!". TV Week. Southdown Press: 9.
  6. ^ a b Alexander, Susannah (22 September 2019). "Former Home and Away actor was told to keep quiet about sexuality". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  7. ^ Austin, Craig (3 September 1993). "Megamix". Dumfries & Galloway Standard. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Pantomime". Cambridge Evening News. 28 December 1994. p. 23. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  9. ^ a b Andrews, Scott K. (11 September 2013). "Farscape Rewatch: "Lava's A Many Splendored Thing"". Tor.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Where are they now? Ross Newton ..." The Daily Telegraph. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Home and Away's Ross Newton reflects on being a gay actor in the 90s". 7NEWS. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  12. ^ a b "My Summer Bay secret!". Woman's Day. No. 37. 3 September 2018. p. 35.
  13. ^ "Profiles". Western Sydney University. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
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