Peter Bensley

Australian actor

Peter Bensley

Born|  (1954-02-06) 6 February 1954 (age 70)

Warialda, New South Wales, Australia

Nationality| Australian
Occupation(s)| Actor, author
Years active| 1973–present
Known for| Dr. John Austin in The New Adventures of Black Beauty
Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker in
Water Rats
Andrew Teigan in
Mirror, Mirror
Dr Mike Newman in
The Young Doctors
Matt Delaney in Prisoner
Andrew Foley in Home and Away

Peter Bensley (born 6 February 1954, Warialda, New South Wales)[1] is an Australian actor.

## Career

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### Television

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One of Bensley's earliest roles was as Dennis Braithwaite on the Seven Network drama series Class of '74. He also appeared in ABC Television children's show, Waterloo Street.

Bensley appeared in several Grundy Television soap operas including The Restless Years (1979); The Young Doctors as Dr. Mike Newman (from 1980 until the show finished in 1983); Prisoner as one of the three male prisoners, Matt Delaney (for 34 episodes in 1984); Neighbours (1986) as Tony Chapman; and Home and Away (1988 to 1990) as school teacher Andrew Foley. In 2009, he returned to Neighbours for a two-episode guest role as Dean.

In 1992, Bensley appeared as Dr. John Austin in the Australian miniseries The New Adventures of Black Beauty. In 1995, he appeared in the Australian/New Zealand co-production Mirror, Mirror, as Andrew Teigan, father of Jo Teigan.

Bensley also appeared in the long-running television series Water Rats about the Sydney Harbour Water Police Squad, in which he had the major role of Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker for the entire series run (1996–2001).

### Film

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In 1983, Bensley played the title role of Stanley in the film Stanley. His most recent film appearance was in Romance on the Menu (2020).

### Advertisements

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In the 1980s, Bensley appeared as a nude centrefold in the magazine, Cleo, wearing only strategically placed scuba gear. He also featured in a cheeky advertisement for Palmolive Gold, in which he is seen in bed with fellow The Young Doctors actress Judy McBurney, and semi-naked in a shower.

## Filmography

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### Film

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Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2020  | Romance on the Menu | Dale Whitely  | Feature film
2017  | Don‘t Tell | Karen's Father  | Feature film
2010  | Tangerine | Alex  | Short film
1992  | The Time Game | Electricity Serviceman  | TV movie
1984  | Stanley | Stanley  | Feature film

### Television

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Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2010  | Cops LAC | Chief Superintendent  | TV series, 1 episode
2009-10  | Packed to the Rafters | Derek  | TV series, 4 episodes
1986-2009  | Neighbours | Tony Chapman / Dean  | TV series, 8 episodes
2001  | Corridors of Power | Mail Man  | TV series, 4 episodes
1996-2001  | Water Rats | Chied Inspector Jeff Hawker  | TV series, 177 episodes
1997  | Roar | Alwyn  | TV series, 1 episode
1995  | Mirror, Mirror | Andrew Tiegan  | TV series. 20 episodes
1994  | Ship to Shore | Taxi Driver  | TV series. 1 episode
1991-94  | G.P. | Dean Noonan  | TV series, 2 episodes
1994  | Paradise Beach | Martin Taylor  | TV series, 1 episode
1992-94  | The New Adventures of Black Beauty | Dr. John Austin  | TV series, 23 episodes
1992  | Police Rescue | Phil Dorrick  | TV series, 1 episode
1992  | Round the Twist | Mr Shelford  | TV series, 1 episode
1988-90  | Home and Away | Andrew Foley | TV series, 109 episodes
1984-85  | Prisoner | Matt Delaney  | TV series, 34 episodes
1980-83  | The Young Doctors | Dr Mike Newman  | TV series, 45 episodes
1979  | Cop Shop | Gary Sinclair  | TV series, 1 episode
1979  | The Restless Years |  | TV series
1978  | Tickled Pink | Penny  | TV series, 1 episode
1978  | Chopper Squad | Vince  | TV series, 1 episode
1976  | Rush | Patsey O'Halloran  | TV series, 1 episode
1975  | Class of 74 | Dennis Braithwaite  | TV series, 98 episodes

### As director

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Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1992  | Steam Across the Mountain |  | Director

## Author

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His first fiction book, On a Wing and a Prayer, was published in 2006.

## Personal life

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Bensley and his partner have 3 children.

## References

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1. ^ "Actors' Birthdays - Reference and Information - Home and Away". Backtothebay.net. 15 April 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2017.

## External links

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* Peter Bensley at IMDb
* Peter Bensley – "The Young Doctors"
* Peter Bensley – "Water Rats"
* Peter Bensley[permanent dead link] – "Water Rats"
* Author page at Random House publishers