Jeff Kevin

Jeff Kevin
Born1944 (age 79–80)
Other namesJeffrey Kevin
Occupation(s)Actor, theatre director drama lecturer
Years active1966-present
Known forNumber 96
SpouseSuzanne Church (actress)

Jeff Kevin (born 1944) is an Australian actor, theatre director and drama lecturer best known for portraying Arnold Feather in 338 episodes of the television soap opera Number 96, from 1972-1977.

His character was involved in some of the more-remarkable story lines in the program, including his marriage to Patti Olsen and her subsequent death at the hands of the "Pantyhose Strangler". He also fell in love with Robyn Ross, who he did not realise was transgender. That broke new ground for a TV serial, in that Ross was played by cabaret artist Carlotta, who was the first transgender actress to portray a transgender character anywhere in the world.[1][2]

Career

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In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Kevin made several television guest appearances, including roles in the Crawford Productions police dramas Homicide and Division 4, and in police dramas The Long Arm and The Link Men.

In 1972, Kevin was cast in the comedic role of 19-year-old, unlucky-in-love Arnold Feather in the soap opera Number 96, although Kevin was 27 at the time.[1] The role was created by series screenwriter Johnny Whyte. Feather continued in the role from mid-1972 until the series ended in August 1977. He also appeared in the series' 1974 spin-off film, Number 96. During 1977, Arnold's character was briefly phased out and replaced by his twin brother, Charles "Chook" Feather, also played by Kevin.

In the late 1970s, he acted in the serial The Sullivans and made an appearance in Skyways. In 1988, he briefly acted in the soap opera Home and Away as Catholic priest Father Rawlings.

In 2003, Kevin became a drama lecturer at Wollongong University and still works regularly in theatre[2]

Personal life

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Kevin married English-born Australian actress and model, Suzanne Church (born ( (1951-10-09) 9 October 1951 (age 72)),[1] in August 1977. She had also appeared in Number 96, as Jane Chester.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Type
1969 Division 4 Gary Vickers TV series
1969 Voyage Out Peter TV movie
1970 The Link Men Benito Costello TV series
1970 The Long Arm Tony TV series
1970 Eden House Bernie TV movie
1969-71 Homicide Various roles TV series
1972-77 Number 96 Arnold Feather / Chook Feather TV series
1974 Number 96 Arnold Feather TV movie
The Sullivans TV series
1979-81 Skyways Geoff Goodwin TV series
1988 Home and Away Father Rawlings TV series
1991 The Miraculous Mellops Mr. O'Neil TV series
1993 Tonight Live with Steve Vizard Guest TV series

References

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  1. ^ a b c Giles, Nigel (March 2001). Number 96. Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne Books. ISBN 9781925556001.
  2. ^ a b "Jeff Kevin". AusStage. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
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