Australians in Hollywood : Biographical Notes

Leo McKern
Born in Petersham, N.S.W., Leo McKern (1920-2002) remains best known for his portrayal of TV's Rumpole of the Bailey between 1977 and 1992. Until an accident at age 15 deprived him of his left eye, he had planned to work as an engineer in his father's business. But after war service with the Royal Australian Engineering Corps he began acting lessons, and in 1945 he sailed to Britain to seek a career on the stage. He worked at the Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in a string of British films including the war drama Yesterday's Enemy (1959), A Man for All Seasons (1966), the Beatles' Help! (1965) and The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981). His Hollywood films included Ryan's Daughter (1970), uncredited appearances in The Omen (1976) and Damien: Omen 2 (1978), The Blue Lagoon (1980) and Ladyhawke (1985). He also appeared in the Australian films Travelling North (1987) and Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (1995).

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