Michael Pate: 1920 - 2008

It surprised me to discover years ago that Pate, who'd I'd always assumed to be an Australian only exclusive actor, had such a rich history in film in the USA and UK. Indeed he was a worldwide actor and by all accounts appeared in over 300 television shows in the USA along with movies alongside luminaries such as Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis and many more before returning home to Australia to apply what he learnt in the local scene. He was never an attractive man by any account, but he was an actor who managed to enhance any movie he appeared in solely by managing to act to the role and resist any over-acting. He never 'chewed the scenery' instead preferring to act to the requirements of the role at hand with a skill that he clearly learnt through quiet observation.

He retired from the screen some years ago and has been missed since then. He will be missed even more from today.
Comments
George "The Stooges"