Roger on a 2022 episode of "This Is Your Life"
Roger Oakley [1](born 1943, Auckland) is a New Zealand-born actor who played Tom Fletcher from the pilot episode (1988) until April 1990. Roger was already a veteran actor when he was cast as Tom and was 15 years older than his on-screen wife Pippa (Vanessa Downing), He was one of the most popular original characters, and his sudden on-screen death was felt by fans.
Pre Home And Away career[]
Roger Oakley was born on 21st August 1943 in Auckland, New Zealand. He studied languages at university but became more interested in acting. In 1968 he moved to Britain and lived there for 5 years. While there, he took a part-time drama course and appeared in theatre productions. Back in his native New Zealand, one of his earliest film roles was a small part in the cult Sam Neill/Roger Donaldson thriller Sleeping Dogs.
In 1978 Roger moved to Australia and continued his acting career there. His credits are too extensive to list[1], but he appeared in shows such as The Sullivans, Prisoner, Skyways, Sons and Daughters, the Flying Doctors and A Country Practice.
Home And Away 1988-1990, 2008[]
Roger's 2008 return as Tom.
Roger as Tom Fletcher
Roger was cast as foster father/patriarchal figure Tom Fletcher in 1987 and made his first appearance in the pilot episode. Like many of his fellow cast members, he thought that the show would only last for a few months. How wrong he was! His role as Tom increased his profile in Australia and abroad. Roger was a regular on H&A until April 1990, when Tom died suddenly from a heart attack. It isn't known whether Roger left the show of his own accord or was axed.
Roger unexpectedly reprised his role as Tom in February 2008. When Sally (Kate Ritchie) was stabbed and rushed to hospital for surgery, she found herself "between worlds". In a supernaturally tinged episode set in a deserted Summer Bay House, Tom told Sally she had a choice to make. She could live or she could die. He showed her both options, including the tantalising choice to be with her late husband Flynn again. Sally chose to live, saying her time had not yet come. Tom told her he was proud of her.
After Home And Away[]
Roger has continued to clock up a long list of film, theatre and TV credits, taking guest roles on the likes of Hercules, Blue Heelers, All Saints, Underbelly, Winners and Losers. He even found the time to act in four episodes of Neighbours![2]
From 2000 to 2002 he played Doug Rutherford on Something in the Air, appearing in all 320 episodes. He was described as a local senator with a few skeletons - and frocks - in his closet.
He is active in the theatre and has appeared in many productions. To date Roger has won two Green Room Awards for his stage performances. Best Drama Performance by an Actor in 1996 and Best Supporting Actor in 1992. He also has also worked as a voice-over artist[3] and an acting teacher. On TV he has most recently appeared as "the most ruthless barrister in the country" in Superwog (2021) and in a 2019 episode of Glitch. In 2022, Roger appeared as a guest in Ray Meagher's 'This is Your Life' episode.
Gallery[]
