Gerry Duggan

Who was Gerry Duggan?

Gerry Duggan was an Irish-born Australian character actor who appeared in many well-known films. He was also a stage and television actor. He never achieved stardom, but was a familiar face in small roles in film and television. His trademarks were his Irish brogue, pronounced lisp and prominent jaw.

Gerry Duggan was born in Dublin in 1910. When he was 16 he moved to New York, where he had his early exposure to theatre acting. In the 1930s he moved to Australia, where he settled, although he worked internationally.

He was almost 50 when he made his first film, The Siege of Pinchgut. This was a British production made in Australia, and was the last film from Ealing Studios. Duggan was nominated for the BAFTA Most Promising Newcomer Award for his role as Pat Fulton. He lost to the 13-year-old Hayley Mills in Tiger Bay.

Some of his later roles included:

The Sundowners

Serena, as Norman Cole

The L-Shaped Room, as Bert

This Sporting Life

Goldfinger, as Hawker, James Bond’s golf caddie

Ned Kelly, as Father O'Hea

Mad Dog Morgan, as Martin

The Devil's Playground, as Brother Hanrahan