Reg Grundy
Reg Grundy OBE | |
---|---|
Born | Reginald Roy Grundy 4 August 1923 |
Died | 6 May 2016 | (aged 92)
Alma mater | University of Queensland |
Occupation | Media mogul |
Years active | 1941–2016 |
Spouses |
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Reginald Roy Grundy
Early life
Reginald Roy Grundy was born on 4 August 1923 in Sydney, New South Wales, to Roy Grundy and Lillian Lees.[1][2] Grundy served in the Australian Army during World War II as a Sergeant stationed in Sydney in the 1 Motor Division Signals. He enlisted in December 1941 and was discharged in August 1946.[3]
Career
Grundy started his media career as a boxing and general sports commentator for the Sydney radio station
The company produced several successful television soap operas and drama series, including
The Grundy Organisation was ultimately owned by Grundy Worldwide Ltd, based in the
Photography
Grundy had a lifelong passion for wildlife photography. He published a book of photographs in 2005, The Wildlife of Reg Grundy.[9] In June 2009, an exhibition of photographs of Bermuda Longtail birds by Grundy, "Longtails: The Bermuda Dream", opened in The Rick Faries Gallery at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.[10][11]
Personal life
Grundy married Patricia Lola Powell in 1954 and they had a daughter, Kim.[12] After Grundy and Powell divorced, he married the actress and author Joy Chambers in 1971.[12] The couple met at a television audition in the 1960s. Chambers was 18 and Grundy was in his forties.[8] They renewed their vows several times.[8] Grundy and Chambers moved to Bermuda in 1982. They remained married until his death, Chambers died on 17 September 2023, aged 76.[13][14]
In 2015, the Australian Financial Review listed Grundy as Australia's 59th-richest individual, with an estimated wealth of $809 million.[15] Grundy published an eponymous autobiography in 2010.[16] He was the owner of a yacht named Boadicea, which was sold in 2009.[17][18]
Death
Grundy died on 6 May 2016 at his Bermuda home, with his family by his side. No cause was given.[14][1] After his death was announced, many tributes were paid to Grundy.[19] Presenter Andrew Denton commented, "I'm sure the record will show that more Australians have watched more hours of Reg Grundy television than that of any other individual."[19] While actress Jackie Woodburne, who worked on Grundy productions Neighbours, Prisoner and The Young Doctors, stated that "Reg was a true groundbreaker in Australian television in the [']70s and [']80s, and beyond[,] in light entertainment and drama."[19]
Tracy Grimshaw, who interviewed Grundy in 2010, said: "RG was a pioneer in game shows, in drama, in soapies. He was a star maker. But he totally rejected the limelight. He only gave one television interview in his life, and I was privileged and fascinated to be the one who spoke with him."[19] Grimshaw's interview with Grundy was rebroadcast during the 9 May edition of A Current Affair.[1] Ian Hogg, whose company bought Grundy Organisation, announced that FremantleMedia were thinking of a permanent way to honour Grundy.[19]
Honours
Grundy was appointed an Officer of the
Popular culture
Colloquially, in Australia, "Reg Grundies", "Grundies" or "Reggies", is
Bibliography
- The Wildlife of Reg Grundy (2005, Grundy Foundation) ISBN 9781894916363
- Mother and Child: Wildlife Photography (2015, Glitterati Incorporated) ISBN 9780990380870
- Reg Grundy (2010, Allen & Unwin) ISBN 9781742662534
References
- ^ a b c d e Byrnes, Holly (9 May 2016). "Australian TV legend Reg Grundy has died aged 92". News.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Obituary Grundy. Reg Grundy, the man who put Australian TV on the world map, dies at 92". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Australian Military Roll". World War II Nominal Roll. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (9 May 2016). "Australian Media Mogul Reg Grundy Dies Age 92". Variety. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (9 May 2016). "Reg Grundy Dies; Australian TV Mogul Behind 'Neighbours' Was 92". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-521-46974-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-135-19472-7.
- ^ a b c "Grundys love being married ... over and over again". news.com.au. 3 December 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Life through Grundy's lens". The Age. 16 August 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
- ^ "Longtails: The Bermuda Dream", Artist Reg Grundy AC OBE. Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Retrieved 5 September
- ^ "Fascination with Longtails". The Royal Gazette. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (9 May 2016). "Reg Grundy obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Reg Grundy's Wife, Joy Chambers-Grundy Dies Early Morning".
- ^ a b Lagan, Sarah (9 May 2016). "TV icon Reg Grundy dies". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "AFR Rich 200 list". Australian Financial Review. 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-74266-253-4.
- ^ Yachts Monaco Eye
- ^ Super Yacht Times
- ^ a b c d e Meade, Amanda (9 May 2016). "Television greats pay tribute to Neighbours creator Reg Grundy". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "The Order of the British Empire – Officer (Civil) (Imperial) (OBE) entry for Mr Reginald Roy GRUNDY". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1982. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
Television
- ^ "Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) entry for Mr Reg GRUNDY". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
For service to the entertainment and television industry as the creator and producer of television programs depicting national cultural identity, to the promotion of Australia internationally, and to the community through philanthropic contributions to a range of organisations.
- ^ "Aussies honoured on Queen's Birthday". ABC News. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
- If Magazine. 8 December 2010. Archived from the originalon 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Reg Grundy to address UQ Faculty of Arts grads". University of Queensland. 20 July 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2016.