Ted Hamilton
Koo Wee Rup Ambassador
1955-70
Ted began his show-business career in Sydney, starring with the Bob Gibson big - band; the Australian all stars and Australian Jazz quintet.
Guest - starred, in all of the top radio shows on the Macquarie Network 2GB: (the Ford Show, calling the stars and the Gladys Moncreif show) All of the major television shows of the fifties: “Sydney, and Melbourne tonight”_compere and guest (Channel 9)….. And the seminal variety Television series: “Revue 61 and 62”. (Channel 7)
Also starred in several stage shows for J C Williamson theatre group. The Boys from Syracuse; Bye Birdie; the Music Man.
1968-72
Starred in Division 4, a national police drama produced by, Crawford productions and screened on the 9 network.
1970 – 1972
Co-convener of a new political party: The Australia Party, which was the formative initiative for the political party (which currently holds the balance of power in the Senate) - The Australian Democrats.
In 1972, co-organized - with Mick Young and Clive Holding - the labour party’s:
“It’s Time campaign”, which resulted in a landslide win, for the Labour Party and PM Whitlam, in the 1972 elections.
1972
Founded and chaired, “TV-Make it Australian Committee”. Ted and the committee were acknowledged by Hector Crawford and Sir John Gorton: “As the man, and the committee that saved Australian drama from extinction”.
Composed a number of songs that were recorded and performed by:
Dean Martin- Glen Campbell-Tom Jones-Barry Crocker
1972-75
Starred in: “Ted Hamilton’s musical world” and “Ted Hamilton’s new wave’ for the ABC national network.
1975
Applied for and was granted Green-card status in the United States, under the exceptionally gifted and unique qualifying requirements. Migrating to the USA, in 1975, Ted financed produced and starred in several major film releases for the major studios; as CEO of Cobba Productions Inc. – a successful financing and management production company, both in Australia and the USA. Ted has also held senior management positions with Private and Public companies, in America, as Senior Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Board.
1980
Returned to Australia, to host the “Ted Hamilton Show” for Rupert Murdoch’s, Channel 10.
1981
Produced and starred in, “The Pirate Movie,” the first Australian movie, to receive a general release, in the United States (on 2,500 screens).
1981-2001
Returned to the United States, to finance a movie production for Disney Studios; “The flight of the navigator” and became Chairman, of two US Companies, which were involved in the placement of private capital for Films and corporations. Also served as a senior consultant to several national companies in the U.S. Conducted National seminars and was a keynote speaker on social topics: “The new Materialism” and was and is a keynote speaker on Alcohol & drug abuse.
Combining a strong business and show business career Ted has achieved success in both fields. Producing and starring in many nationally successful shows for Television and film. He also founded and chaired: “TV - make it Australian committee” in 1969. This resulted in being the principal advisor to the Prime Minister, Sir John Gorton, on Television and the required changes to the television licensing Act. At the PM’s request he authored a white paper on the importance of Television in the Arts and on the national ethos. There was an emphasis on the cultural imperative of Australian ideas being aired and not being culturally colonized through television. Sir John Gorton implemented the recommendations of the committee.
2003
Principal advisor to the Chairman of the Board of: International Food Products Group (USA).
Ted has also represented Australia, NSW and Victoria in squash; an achievement unique for a show business person with his credits.