Nigel Lovell

Nigel Lovell
Born
Nigel Tasman Lovell

(1916-01-27)27 January 1916
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died13 December 2001(2001-12-13) (aged 85)
EducationSydney University (1938)
OccupationsActor, producer, director
Years active1935–1982
SpousePatricia Lovell
Children2 (including Jenny Lovell)
FamilyGeoff Lovell (nephew)

Nigel Tasman Lovell (27 January 1916 – 13 December 2001) was an Australian stage, radio, film and television actor, and producer of opera and both stage and radio drama.

Early life

Lovell was born in Sydney, the son of H(enry) Tasman Lovell, Professor of Psychology and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sydney University, living at Honda Road, Neutral Bay. He was educated at 'Shore' (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)[1] and studied law at Sydney University, graduating with a BA in 1938, and was an active member of the Sydney University Dramatic Society (SUDS), under director May Hollinworth. While with SUDS, he was spotted by the director of drama for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Frank Clewlow, who gave him small roles in several radio plays.[2][3]

Career

In 1950, Lovell joined Sydney's Metropolitan Theatre under Hollinworth, and when she fell ill he took over production.

In 1951, Lovell won a Commonwealth Jubilee Arts Scholarship in Drama, a travelling scholarship awarded by the British Council to study production in England.[4]

He continued acting for the ABC under producers Eric John and Frank Zeppel in the last decade of Australian radio drama, and in several ABC-TV historical plays.

In 1959, Lovell appeared as the main protagonist in the convict-themed Pardon Miss Westcott, which was the first Australian musical written specially for live television. That same year, he had a small role in feature film The Restless and the Damned.[5]

Lovell was also a regular in Crawford Productions for commercial TV; notably as the avuncular spy chief on late 1960s series Hunter. During the 1970–1972 seasons of Crawfords' long-running Melbourne police series Homicide, he served as a line producer and television dialogue director, before it moved completely into being a fully-filmed program. In 1972 he returned to Sydney, joining the staff of ABC Radio as a producer of education programs.[1]

Personal life

Lovell was a brother of Dr. Bruce Tasman Lovell (1910 – 19 September 1986) and Guy Tasman Lovell (15 August 1919 – ). Former cricketer Geoff Lovell is a nephew.

Lovell married Sue Dalton in 1941 and had a daughter Catherine Lovell on 1 January 1947. His wife died of a heart condition later that year.

He married again, to Patricia Anna Parr in 1956, having met through work with Sydney's Metropolitan Theatre. They had two children – Simon Lovell, a helicopter pilot, and Jenny Lovell, an actor known for her role in the television series Prisoner. Patricia Lovell had a significant career in radio and film both before and after their divorce.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Type Ref.
1948The Valley is OursNarratorShort film
The Bushman Goes HomeCommentatorShort film
1949Eureka StockadeCaptain WiseFeature film[6]
1951Wherever She GoesWill Joyce (father of Eileen Joyce)Feature film[7][8]
1957The ShiraleeO’Hara (uncredited)Feature film
Papua and New GuineaCommentatorShort film
1959The Dispossessed (aka L'ambitieuse or The Restless and the Damned)André RancourtFeature film[5]
1964Under StressNarratorShort film
Music in the MakingCommentatorShort film
1965Army ApprenticesNarratorShort film
1970Ned KellyCaptain StandishFeature film[9]
1976Let the Balloon GoThe ParsonFeature film[10]

Television

Year Title Role Type Ref.
1957A Fourth for BridgeAir Force TypeTV movie[11]
1959One Bright DayArthur MitchellTV movie
The BodgieRobert Manning MPTV movie[12]
Pardon Miss WestcottColonel PattersonEpisode of Shell Presents[13]
1960Stormy PetrelMajor General George Johnston8 episodes[14]
The Grey Nurse Said NothingReverend LightEpisode of The General Motors Hour[15]
1961The Sergeant from BurraleeDefence CounselTV movie
WhiplashJosie / Edwin Regnor / Wilfred Swan3 episodes
1962Off CentreJoe HunterTV movie
Consider Your VerdictHarold Rees2 episodes
The PatriotsDr Robert WardellMiniseries, 10 episodes[16]
Jonah1 episode
1963Smugglers BewareMiniseries
The Hungry OnesSurgeon John White9 episodes
Time OutLouis de Rougemont1 episode
The Land That WaitedNarratorTV movie[17]
1964The StrangerGroup Captain PonsonbyMiniseries, 1 episode
TribunalBartolomeo Vanzetti1 episode
A Sound of TrumpetsGeoffTV movie
1965The Big KillingCharles BarcherTV movie[18]
Adventure Unlimited1 episode
1965–1973HomicideJohn Simpson / Supt. Tilley / Refinery Security Officer / Stranger / Senator Russell Watson / Thomas Burke / Graham Boyce / Prosecuting Counsel8 episodes
1966Point of DepartureClarkTV movie
The Nice Widow at QuintoEpisode of Australian Playhouse[19]
1967Nice 'n' JuicyMackay1 episode
Divorce Court210 episodes[20]
1967–1969HunterCharles Blake65 episodes[21]
1968The BattlersMagistrate1 episode
Skippy the Bush KangarooDr Martin1 episode
1969RiptideInspector1 episode
1969; 1970DeltaRonnie / Major Brunning2 episodes
1969–1971Division 4Judge / Ken Frost / Carl Glass on / Henry Morgan / Will Smyth5 episodes
1970Woobinda, Animal Doctor1 episode
The RoversThe Bank Manager / Dr Henry Micklejohn2 episodes
Strange HolidayTV movie[22]
1972The Lady and the LawTV movie
The SpoilerRichards
1972–1973Over ThereCaptain Balfour5 episodes[23]
1973Matlock PoliceTed Jackson1 episode
Seven Little AustraliansThe DoctorMiniseries, 1 episode[24]
1974Behind the LegendJohn Flynn1 episode
1975Last RitesBeechamTV movie
1976Alvin PurpleDad1 episode
1977Born to Run (aka Harness Fever)CantrellTV movie
1978Case for the DefenceThe Judge1 episode
1982A Country PracticeBluey Ashdown2 episodes

As producer

Year Title Role Type Ref.
1970–1972HomicideProducer18 episodes

Theatre

As actor

Year Title Role Type Ref.
1935As You Like ItAdamSavoy Theatre, Sydney with SUDS[12]
1936Don JuanLord Frantingham (and the statue)SUDS
1938Hotel Universe[25]
TuttifäntchenThe Puppet MasterCollegium Musicum Sydney
Death Takes a HolidayCorradoUniversity of Sydney with SUDS[12]
The Merchant of VeniceBassanio[12]
LucreceTarquin[12]
1939Laughter in CourtEdward Cruickshank[12]
By WireDetective Inspector Denwood[12][26]
Hotel UniverseLyceum Club, Sydney[12]
1940The School for ScandalUniversity of Sydney with SUDS[12]
French Without TearsMinerva Theatre, Sydney[27][12]
1941Mr Smart GuyRex Albion[12]
1950Raymond, Lord of MilanRaymond Della TorreMetropolitan Theatre, Sydney[12]
A Midsummer Night's DreamOberon[12]
The RivalsSir Anthony[12]
1957The Big KnifeClifford OdetsIndependent Theatre, Sydney
1965Two Plays in Rehearsal[12]
My Life with an Interval for Asprin[12]
The Business of Good GovernmentAssembly Hall, Sydney with Q Theatre[12]
1966A Walk Among the WheeneysAMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre[12]
A Far CountryIndependent Theatre, Sydney[12]

As director/producer

Year Title Role Type Ref.
1950Raymond, Lord of MilanDirectorMetropolitan Theatre, Sydney[28][29][12]
A Midsummer Night’s DreamDirector[12]
The RivalsDirector[12]
1951A Masked BallDirectorPrincess Theatre, Melbourne with NSW Opera / National Opera Company[30][12]
1953The Flying Dutchman[31]
1954Il trovatoreDirectorVictoria Theatre, Newcastle, Empire Theatre for the National Opera of Australia[32][12]
FaustProducerEmpire Theatre, Sydney[33]
1955Winter JourneyProducerIndependent Theatre, Sydney[34][12]
1956Sāvitri & Prima DonnaProducerUniversity of Sydney[12]
1957The Big KnifeDirectorIndependent Theatre, Sydney[12]
1958Curly on the RackDirectorElizabethan Theatre, Sydney[12]
1964Hullabaloo BelayDirectorSt James Playhouse, Sydney[12]
1965You Can't Take it with YouProducerIndependent Theatre, Sydney[12]
197095 Men and a NannygoatDirectorUNSW Old Tote Parade Theatre, Sydney[12]

Radio

As actor

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1938The Wild Ass's SkinHonoré de Balzac play
1939Hands Across the TablePlay on Lux Radio Theatre[35]
Those We LoveSerial on 2CH
Magnificent ObsessionPlay on Lux Radio Theatre
1940Smilin' ThruSerial on 2KY
Four DaughtersHarry Dearth's Radio Theatre[36]
1940sJudge Marshall's FamilyPan MarshallSerial on 2UW, 2GB[37]
Strange DestinySerial on 2UW[38]
1940s–1950sDrama of Medicine[38]
1944–1949The LawsonsSerial on ABC Radio[38]
1946Big SisterFrank HillSerial on 2UW[38]
1946–1947Crossroads of LifeLarry HalsteadSerial on 2KO, 2UW[38]
1946–1948Danger UnlimitedJeffery BlackburnSerial on 2UE, 3UZ, 4BC, including episode: "The Adventure of the Queen's Bracelet"[39][40]
1948Perfect StrangersClemence Dane play
1949A Bill of DivorcementClemence Dane play
1952The General Motors HourSerial on 2GB[38]
1953The Cure for LoveWalter Greenwood play
The Quiet StrangerRed WilliamsSerial[38]
1954–TarzanSerial on 2GB[38]
1955Yellow JackMajor ReedPlay on 2BL-NC-CN, 4QR[41]
1957The ExplorersKingPlay on ABC Radio
1960Passage of the TangmarDirk KendallSerial[38]
1961CattlemanBenSerial on 2GB, 2UE, 2AD, 4LM[42][38]
1965Concord of Sweet SoundsGerhmannBBC
Beyond the RainbowStorm HannafordSerial[38]
1960sNo Rainbow in the SkyStorm HannafordSerial[38]
Big CitySerial[38]
Blue HillsSerial on ABC Radio[38]
Count DownKevin MilesSerial[38]
Nyal Radio PlayhouseSerial[38]

As director/producer

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1954–TarzanProducer2GB[38]
1959–Woman in the MirrorProducer2UW, 5AD[38]
1963–North from ThursdayProducer[38]
Night Must FallProducerMacquarie Theatre on 2GB[43]
1970sA Place in the SunDirector4BU[38]

References

  1. 1 2 Richard Lane (31 January 2002). "At home on radio, on stage, directing opera or Tarzan". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 38. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Glow of Tropic Color at Cuba Ball". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. IV, no. 84. 28 June 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ "Social and Personal". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 871. 22 February 1940. p. 19. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Jubilee Arts Awards". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. XVI, no. 7. 31 March 1951. p. 7. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. 1 2 Vagg, Stephen (1 July 2025). "The Lee Robinson-Chips Rafferty Story Part 6: The Restless and the Damned". FilmInk. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (15 March 2025). "Wrecking Australian stories: Eureka Stockade". FilmInk. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Wherever She Goes". FilmInk. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Wherever She Goes – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ned Kelly – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Let the Balloon Go – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "Looking Ahead on Channel 2 (ABN)". ABC Weekly. 13 July 1957. Retrieved 10 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 "Nigel Lovell". AusStage. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  13. ↑ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Pardon Miss Westcott". FilmInk. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  14. ↑ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Stormy Petrel". FilmInk. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: The Grey Nurse Said Nothing". FilmInk. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  16. ↑ "The Patriots – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "The Land That Waited". www.acmi.net.au. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  18. ↑ "The Big Killing – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  19. ↑ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Five episodes of Australian Playhouse". FilmInk. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Divorce Court – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Hunter". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  22. ↑ "Strange Holiday – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  23. ↑ "Over There – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "Seven Little Australians – episode guide". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  25. ↑ "People on Parade". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. III, no. 143. 5 September 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 1 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ↑ "By Wire". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 622. 8 May 1939. p. 13. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  27. ↑ "Well-known Crowd Premiere At Minerva". The Sun (Sydney). No. 9481. 24 May 1940. p. 11. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ↑ "Review". Freeman's Journal. No. 46. 8 May 1851. p. 11. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ↑ "Mr E. Reeve, Founder of the N.S.W. Academy of Art". Illustrated Sydney News. Vol. VII, no. 89. 10 July 1871. p. 3. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ↑ "Fine Singing Heard In Verdi Opera". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 35, 336. 24 March 1951. p. 2. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ↑ "Wagner opera opening". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. XVIII, no. 107. 25 July 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 8 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  32. ↑ "Opera's New Singers". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 36, 338. 9 June 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 5 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  33. ↑ "Faust Was Not Really Well Done". The Sun (Sydney). No. 13, 855. 9 July 1954. p. 22. Retrieved 8 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ↑ "At Sydney Theatres". Le Courrier Australien. No. 39. 30 September 1955. p. 7. Retrieved 8 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ↑ "Advertising". The Sun (Sydney). No. 1878. 26 March 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 1 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ↑ "Next Week's Radio Attractions". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 16 March 1940. p. 9. Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  37. ↑ "Judge Marshall's Family". ABC Weekly. Vol. 7, no. 7. 17 February 1945. Retrieved 8 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Australian Radio Series (1930s–1970s)" (PDF). National Film and Sound Archive. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "Radio Roundup". The Sun (Sydney). No. 11, 358. 19 June 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 9 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  40. ↑ "National Programme News Commercial". ABC Weekly. Vol. 8, no. 18. 18 May 1946. p. 38. Retrieved 9 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  41. ↑ "Yellow Jack". ABC Weekly. Vol. 17, no. 16. 16 April 1955. Retrieved 9 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia / Trove.
  42. ↑ "Cattleman". Retrieved 9 February 2026 – via www.gracegibsonradio.com.
  43. ↑ "Oral History Program: Biographical Notes Nigel Lovell (1916– ) Actor" (PDF). Wasabi Storage. 26 May 1998. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
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