Wayne Linden Jarratt (19 April 1957 – 14 May 1988) was an Australian stage and television actor in the 1980s, remembered for his role in internationally renowned TV cult series Prisoner as friendly prison officer Steve Fawkner.[1] He played the part for 71 episodes, as a supporting cast member first appearing in the penultimate episode of Season 3 (10 November 1981), but opted to leave the series to take a stage role. His final appearance was in Season 4, bowing out in Episode 316 (5 October 1982).

Wayne Jarratt
Born
Wayne Linden Jarratt

(1957-04-19)19 April 1957
Died14 May 1988(1988-05-14) (aged 31)
Occupation(s)Stage and television actor
Years active1981–1988 (his death)
Known forPrisoner (71 episodes)

Biography

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Jarratt attended Balgowlah Boys High in Sydney from 1969–1974. He acted from the age of 11 and starred in various school plays. After leaving school, he had to choose between a career in acting or naval architecture.[1] He chose acting and graduated from NIDA in 1977, before joining the South Australian Theatre Company for three years.[1] He took on a number of stage roles, including Happy in Nimrod Theatre Company's production of Death of a Salesman in 1982. He had a small role in The Sullivans, before joining the cast of Prisoner.[1] Jarratt preferred small character roles, saying "I'm not after a constant spotlight. My main ambition is to make myself as versatile as possible."[1]

After leaving Prisoner, Jarratt appeared in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Michael Gurr's A Pair of Claws.[1] In February 1985, he played Bottom in Kim Carpenter's A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Nimrod, alongside Hugo Weaving and Angela Punch McGregor. He received praise from The Sydney Morning Herald's Mick Barnes, who said his performance was "beautifully played".[2]

Jarratt died of a brain tumour at the age of 31 on 14 May 1988 in the Neringah Hospital, Wayn Wahroonga.[1][3]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Sullivans Lieutenant Commander Larry Hartley Episodes: 3 episodes
1981 Bellamy David Dale Episode: "Bet Your Life"
1981–1982 Prisoner Steve Faulkner 71 episodes
1984 The Disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain David - TV Television film
1985 Anzacs Pte. Charlie Upton Episode: "The Big Push"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Shelley, Garry (9 July 1988). "Illness claims actor Wayne". TV Week. p. 21.
  2. ^ Barnes, Mick (19 February 1985). "Nimrod's Dream a knockout". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ "Obituary for Wayne Jarratt". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 May 1988. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
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