Michael Pate Obituary
AUSTRALIAN actor, writer and director Michael Pate has died, aged 88 years old.
Pate, who spent seven decades in show business, died of respiratory failure late yesterday at Gosford Hospital, a spokesman for the NSW Central Coast Area Health Service said.
Born in Sydney in 1920, Pate became an international star, appearing in more than 50 feature films.
He also guest-starred in more than 300 television shows in Australia and the US.
Pate began his career in 1938 writing and broadcasting for ABC Radio and producing book and theatre reviews for newspapers and magazines.
He spent almost 20 years in the US, appearing in countless TV shows, including various westerns.
Pate also appeared on other popular shows included Batman, Mission: Impossible, Get Smart and The Man from U.N.C.L.E, and was the first actor to play a slightly altered version of James Bond's CIA counterpart Felix Leiter in the television adaptation of Casino Royale.
He returned to Australia in 1968 to work as an associate producer for the Columbia Pictures adaptation of Norman Lindsay's Age of Consent.
He won two Gold Logies for the Seven Network and produced police series, pilots and variety shows for Australia's three commercial networks.
From 1971, he starred in the TV series Matlock Police and won a Penguin Award for best actor during his four years on the program.
Between 1982-1984 he joined forces with his son Christopher to co-star on stage in Mass Appeal.
The play toured Australia, culminating in a season at the Sydney Opera house.
Family friend Jacqui Bosanac said Pate had been working on a film script before he died and it was likely his son would finish off his father's work.
"Just previous to him going into hospital he was sitting at his computer,'' Ms Bosanac told the ABC.
"All he did was work ... he was working on a script which hasn't been finished and I think Christopher's going to try and finish it off.''
Pate is survived by his wife Felippa Rock and son Christopher, both of whom are actors, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
8 Entries
Tallulah Pate
March 16, 2011
RIP Michael I will always love you and before i sleep i always think of you and how your smile always awakened me in the morning... LOVE YOU FOREVER
Brian Adams
September 8, 2008
Monday September 8.
I had the honor and pleasure working with Michael Pate as an actor. He was such a fine actor and a most warm person to work with. We often met around the traps in Hollywood. He always had a smile on his face and an affirmative attitude to things and life in general. I am saddened by his passing and extend my sincere condolences to Phillpa his wife and son Christopher.
Martha Coleman
September 5, 2008
To a lovely, humble, warm, dedicated and sincere man, rest in peace, and warmest wishes to his equally lovely wife and his children, my thoughts are with you all right now.
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Karen Nixon
September 4, 2008
I had the honor of interviewing Michael for a magazine that I worked on around 4 years ago, I spent 5 to 6 hours at his home with his beautiful wife, I remember being so welcome into their home. I was totally fasinated by his story and his life, I would see Michael at the shopping centre locally and he would always remember me, I will miss Michael very much and to his loving family I send my best wishes and my love to you. Michael you are a true legend and I will miss your friendly happy face and the time that you always gave. You will be missed by all.
Karen Nixon
Mary Jeffers
September 4, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your countless roles in many of the westerns/series on tv. You played them with such dignity. I used to get you confused with actor Anthony Caruso and thought you might have been relatives. I will continue to celebrate your roles on "Bonanza", "Gunsmoke", "The Rifleman", "The Time Tunnel" , "The High Chaparrel" and "Mission Impossible". The country of Australia has brought many talented actors to America, including Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Heath Ledger. May your family find comfort in knowing that our prayers are with them. May you rest in peace!.
warren knight
September 3, 2008
i'm am so sorry to hear of the passing of this great actor who'm i have enjoyed so much over the years. And i was fortunate to have writtern to him & he was so kind. Will be greatly missed by me & so many more. My best wishes to his family.
ronald doyle
September 3, 2008
deepest sympathy to felippa and christopher and family, michael brought us joy and entertainment over many years, ranging from sons of the matthew to his time in the united states. and in a range of tv shows, then a return to the country he loved to star in matlock and many others. he gave much more than 100% to the australian film and tv industry.and he will be deeply missed by many people including myself rest in peace michael from ronald of ballarat
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