Gerda Nicolson
| Gerda Nicholson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 August 1937 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | 12 June 1992 (aged 54) Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation | Television actor |
| Spouse | Gyula (Julius)Szappanos |
| Children | None |
Gerda Nicolson, (26 August 1937 – 12 June 1992) was an Australian theatre and television actor best known for several long-running television roles.
Gerda Maureen Nicholson was born in Hobart, Tasmania to parents both involved with theatre. However interest in acting was not immediate in Gerda, with it taking some time before she became interested in the art, instead choosing to commence early studies in architecture. 1959 saw Nicholson travelled to London with her parents. Despite not undertaking any acting opportunities during this period, instead choosing to work as a draughtsperson, it has been recognised that she attended nearly every stage performance during this time.
On returning to Australia in 1961, Gerda chose to join the Melbourne University's Graduate Society an acted in some of their amateur stage plays while working as a draughtsperson at the Victorian Health Department. She was quickly spotted by a director who encouraged Gerda to audition for stage play A Woman in a Dressing Gown. Receiving one of the main roles she joined the ensemble on their tour of Australia and New Zealand, a year after returning to Australia. Nicolson went on to later say that the producer awarded her with the role on account of her stunning legs.
Gerda Nicholson first reached wide audiences through her long-running role in Australian Broadcasting Corporation daily soap opera Bellbird. After leaving that series she had a regular role in police drama Bluey (1976). However perhaps her most famous role was as Governor Ann Reynolds in the popular Australian television soap opera Prisoner. Her second part in the show (she had already played a corrupt officer in earlier episodes) Nicholson played the role from 1983 until the series ended in 1986. The series found international cult success in the 1990s and 2000s. Nicholson also appeared in Neighbours as Robyn Taylor, whom almost had an affair with Harold Bishop.
Gentle and feminine, Gerda Nicholson was a very popular member of the Prisoner cast.
1987 saw Gerda sing in global touring musical Nine. During this time she had the opportunity to visit Broadway in New York. Nine saw Nicholson play mother to fellow Bluey co-star John Diedrich. Gerda was joined in Nine by fellow past Prisoner co-star Caroline Gillmer and Peta Toppano (before Nicolson's long running performance in Prisoner). Choosing instead to keep to the stage, Gerda made very few screen appearances during 1990 and 1991.
Nicholson unannounced suddenly collapsed in her dressing room prior to going to stage for theatre performance Mary Lives! in 1992. While she was quickly taken to hospital it appears that she never regained consciousness, remaining unconscious until she passed away on June 12. The cause of death was a brain-related haemorrhage. She was only 54 years old.
Gerda was and is recognised as one of Australia's most beloved actresses.
Based in Melbourne, Gerda Nicholson is and continues to be deeply missed, and will never be forgotten.
Personal Life: Gerda is survived by a husband (deceased 2006). Nicholson was a sister in law to Maria(deceased), Teri, Vilma and Elek(deceased). Gerda and her actor husband did not have any children together.
Legacy: •Green Room Award: The Gerda Nicholson Award (for an Emerging Actress) was instituted in her name to commemorate her work in Australian theatre, as she is recognised as one of Victoria's finest female actors. This award, protected by The Green Room Awards Association, was presented to the recipient by her husband up until his death in 2006. These recipients included; Alison Whyte, Peta Brady and Kat Stewart. •Gerda Nicholson Award for Indigenous female students atudying at the Victorian College of the Arts in the areas of performing arts. This award was hosted through the Willan Centre for an undergraduate student.
Own Awards: • Penguin Best Sustained Performance (1985) for Prisoner
[edit] External links
 |
This article about an Australian actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
