Vale George Ogilvie

MTC Artistic Director & CEO Brett Sheehy AO said, ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the prolific and generous George Ogilvie, whose immense contribution to the theatre community was appreciated by all who came in contact with him over his incredible seven decade-long career.’

George Ogilvie was both a consummate performer and an acclaimed director. After acting in over 20 productions with Union Theatre Repertory Company, which later became Melbourne Theatre Company, George served as Associate Director from 1965-1971 at the invitation of MTC’s founding father John Sumner. During this time he directed 23 productions for the Company.

In 1972, George became Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia and went on to work as a director across multiple art forms including opera and ballet.

George further shared his talents with the industry by teaching regularly at NIDA and Actors Centre Australia. He was tapped by director George Miller to conduct acting workshops for the 1983 TV miniseries The Dismissal, in which he also played Labor Senator Jim McClelland.

Continuing his collaboration with Miller, George co-directed the seminal Australian film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and later directed Russell Crowe is his first ever screen role in the 1990 film The Crossing.

However, theatre was his first and greatest love, and in 2006 George published his autobiography entitled Simple Gifts – a life in the theatre. His final stage production was The Australian Ballet’s Coppélia, performed at Sydney Opera House in 2016.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to theatre and the performing arts in 1983.