Reg Grundy obit

Australian TV legend Reg Grundy has died aged 92

AUSTRALIAN TV legend Reg Grundy, who produced some of our most loved small-screen shows including Neighbours and Prisoner, has died in Bermuda, aged 92.

 He was not on the list.

IN the end, Reg Grundy’s timing was as impeccable in death as it was in his extraordinary life — giving a new generation of stars at last night’s Logie awards their moment to shine before news of his passing cast a shadow over post-party celebrations today.

The self-made Australian media mogul, whose legacy of TV credits included global hits Neighbours, Prisoner and Wheel Of Fortune, was confirmed dead at the age of 92 in Bermuda, where he had lived with actress wife Joy Chambers.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who both became global superstars thanks to their time on Neighbours, have been among the many Australian celebrities to pay tribute to Grundy.

Awarded an OBE for his contribution to TV and media in 1983, Grundy became synonymous for producing local Australian drama and game shows, the formats for which he first tested on Sydney radio station 2CH.

Broadcaster Alan Jones confirmed Grundy’s death on his 2GB program, telling listeners he had “passed away in the arms of his beloved wife Joy on their Bermuda estate.”

It is understood he died on Friday (Bermuda time).

In a statement, Kylie Minogue recalled her time on Neighbours and said she is thankful to have “been part of what has become an Australian institution”.

Minogue famously played Charlene Robinson on the show, opposite Jason Donovan, who played her on-screen husband, Scott.

“The Australian TV landscape was so heavily influenced by Reg Grundy. I watched his shows growing up and, of course, one show in particular was to change the course of my life,” she said.

“Neighbours will always mean so much to me and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of what has become an Australian institution.”

Donovan said he was “lucky” to have known the TV mogul.

“I was so sad to hear about the passing of Reg Grundy. I’m old enough to remember a time when the true pioneers of the Australian television industry built it from nothing and gave opportunities to actors, directors and crew alike,” he said.

“Reg was one of these legendary founders and Neighbours was one of the many products of his life’s work.

“I was lucky to be a small part of his world. My thoughts go out to his family at this time.”

Such was the impact Grundy’s programs had on shaping the portrait of Australian society and culture, his name also became part of the colloquial lexicon, with Reg Grundys becoming slang for underwear.

In 1995, he sold the Grundy Organisation to what is now, FremantleMedia Australia.

Grundy — widely known as RG to his friends — is mourned by his wife Joy Chambers. The couple were married in 1972.

Ian Hogg, chief executive officer of FremantleMedia Australia eulogised Grundy as “a national treasure”.

“His legacy to Australian entertainment is insurmountable. His visionary ability to know how to connect Australian families through some of this country’s most loved programming has stood the test of time. Generations of Australians have grown up with and been touched by a Grundy Production, be it Sons and Daughters, Sale of the Century, Prisoner, The Price Is Right and hundreds of other programs. His innate understanding of great storytelling and entertainment lives on today through programs such as Family Feud, Wentworth and Neighbours. Reg is an icon and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joy and family at this difficult time.”

Neighbours’ executive producer Jason Herbison said: “Everyone at Neighbours owes a huge debt to Reg Grundy. Quite simply, we wouldn’t be here without him.

“He will be remembered as a pioneer of Australian television and a true gentleman. His legacy at Neighbours lives on and we hope to do him proud.”

A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw, who was granted the only TV interview with Grundy three years ago, said: “Like so many Australians, I grew up with Reg Grundy’s vision, without having a clue about the man behind the ubiquitous productions. RG (he didn’t like being called Reg) 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 one who spoke with him. He was shy talking about himself ... but not reticent. He remembered everything. He remained passionate about television and emotional about the company he had finally decided to sell some years before. He was a pioneer of our industry. And a devoted husband to Joy, who will be feeling his loss so deeply today. Vale RG. And thanks.”

Born on August 4, 1923, in NSW, Reginald Roy Grundy was the only child of working-class parents Roy Grundy and Lillian Lees, who met in a chocolate factory on the cusp of the Depression.

He left school at 15, served in the army during World War II and worked as a ladies sportswear buyer for department store David Jones.

He started working in radio as a sports commentator, specialising in boxing, for 2SM Sydney. He also did voice-over work for cinema advertiser Chas E Blanks.

While working at 2CH Sydney in 1957 Grundy developed and hosted the radio show Wheel Of Fortune, which debuted on the Nine Network in 1959.

His career was an intrinsic part of the golden years of Australian TV. His name was attached to many game shows throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, including Celebrity Squares, Blanketty Blanks, Beat the Odds and Great Temptation.

The company later branched out into dramas, producing an astonishing line-up of shows which were embraced by the Australian viewing public. In addition to the ‘big hits’ such as Neighbours (now in its 31st year), Grundy helped develop Chopper Squad, Glenview High, Sons and Daughters and the New Zealand TV hit, Shortland Street.

He also produced the fondly-remembered ABBA vehicle ABBA: The Movie, in 1978.

Although he was phenomenally successful as a producer, Grundy did not always have the Midas touch, as a string of failed soap operas for the Nine Network in the mid 1980s (including Taurus Rising and Possession) testified.

But other hits were to come in the early 21st century — including a new range of reality TV contests such as Australian Idol (2003).

Grundy sold his company, the Reg Grundy Organisation, to Pearson Television in the mid 1990s.

His personal wealth was estimated at $805 million as far back as 2007.

He and Joy spent many years sailing between Bermuda, Los Angeles and London aboard his 25-staff super yacht, Boadicea, before settling in Bermuda.

An auction of his art collection back in 2013 was billed as the most valuable art auction ever staged in Australia, with over 90 works valued at around $20 million.

He was made a companion of the Order of Australia in 2008.

 

Producer

Party Line

TV Movie

producer

1983

 

Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, and ABBA in ABBA: The Movie (1977)

ABBA: The Movie

6.4

executive producer

1977

 

Class of '74 (1974)

Class of '74

7.1

TV Series

executive producer

1974–1975

275 episodes

 

Split Second

TV Series

producer

1972–1973

 

Temptation

TV Series

producer

1970–1971

 

Say When (1962)

Say When

TV Series

producer

1962–1964

 

Surprise Package

TV Series

producer

1961

 

Wheel of Fortune

TV Series

producer

1959–1962