Actor who became household name dies
BRUCE Allpress, one of the most recognisable faces on New Zealand TV screens for decades, has died aged 89.
Mr Allpress, who was raised in Dunedin and cut his acting teeth in the city’s operatic society, became a household name in ’70s soap Close To Home, and as a foil for comedy star Billy T. James.
In the early 1980s, Allpress starred in arguably his finest role, the rural rascal Jocko in the series of the same name, for which he won multiple awards.
While the number of leading roles dwindled in recent years, Mr Allpress was seldom without work; Peter Jackson gave him a cameo in Lord of the Rings, and he was a regular in a range of television commercials.
Nephew Gary Allpress, of Dunedin, said although his uncle was mostly known for his comic roles, he could be very serious when he wanted to be.
‘‘He wasn’t somebody who made out that he knew it all. He was a very good listener and if you wanted advice he would offer it.
‘‘He was a fantastic guy, and he did have a wicked sense of humour.’’
Mr Allpress was wardrobe master for the Dunedin Operatic Society before graduating to the stage; his interest in fabrics saw him work in textile design for many years as well as acting.
More recently, Mr Allpress owned an antique shop in Auckland and was a founding investor in Allpress Coffee, a firm started by son Michael.
Mr Allpress died on Thursday, with his five children beside him.
A full obituary will follow.