Dony Dony: Gary Sweet

Gary Sweet (born 22 May 1957 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian film and television actor known for his roles in Alexandra's Project (2003), Police Rescue, Cody, Big Sky, The Battlers, Bodyline and Stingers. He grew up in Warradale, South Australia and attended Brighton high school in Adelaide. He later obtained a teaching degree and whilst at Sturt Teachers' College took up drama. His first role was in low-budget horror film Nightmares. In the early 1980s, Sweet became recognizable through the on-going role of Leslie 'Magpie' Maddern in the Crawfords television series The Sullivans. In 1984, Sweet had his first major role as Donald Bradman in the Network Ten miniseries Bodyline, the story of the 1932-33 Test cricket series between England and Australia. Between 1990 and 1996, Sweet starred in the drama series Police Rescue as Sgt. Steve 'Mickey' McClintock. This role was a popular role for Sweet, and lead him to win several major television awards, including the Australian Film Institute's Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama for his performance (in 1991 and 1992), the Variety Club Heart Award for TV Actor of the Year (1993), and two TV Week Silver Logie Awards for Most Popular Actor and Most Outstanding Actor (1992, 1994).

Between 1997 and 1999, Sweet starred in Big Sky as Chris Manning, and in 1999, starred in Dog's Head Bay as Alex. In 2001, he appeared in a fourth series episode of the British comedy-drama Cold Feet. In 2002, he took on the continuing role of Inspector Luke Harris in the police drama series Stingers until the show's conclusion in 2004. He then went on to star in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Dog's Head Bay". In 2006, Sweet was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and made it to the final seven. His partner was dancer Eliza Campagna. In 2007, Sweet appeared in several shows. He starred in the SBS miniseries The Circuit (starring as Magistrate Peter Lockhart), he co-hosted Channel Nine's Things To Try Before You Die and starred in the ABC television series Rain Shadow with Rachel Ward. In 2008 he narrated the Australian observational documentary TV series Sudden Impact, broadcast on the Nine Network. In 2009, he had a guest role in Channel Nine's Rescue: Special Ops and starred in season two of The Circuit. He also has a role as Gunnery Sergeant Haney in The Pacific (miniseries), which aired in 2010 in Australia and the USA. In 2010, he will play Superintendent Jack Finchin in the Nine Network police drama Cops L.A.C. Though most recognized for his television roles, Sweet has also appeared in numerous stage productions. These include David Williamson's The Club, and in 2001, Tony McNamara's play The Recruit for the Melbourne Theatre Company. He has also appeared in the musical Oh, What a Night (musical).