Australian actor and playwright Alan Hopgood's passion for promoting men's health stems from his own life-changing battle with cancer.
His extensive resume covers both fields, with regular spots in the well-known Bellbird, Prisoner, The Flying Doctors and Neighbours, mixed with writing and acting duties for film and stage.
In 2005 he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the performing arts as an actor, playwright and producer, and to the community through raising awareness of men's health issues.
The 76-year-old is bringing two of his plays to Hamilton for a conference organised by the National Centre for Farmer's Health and titled: Opening the gates on farmer health.
The health-related plays are a long way from Hopgood's earlier work, which included writing the seminal Aussie 1970s' sex film Alvin Purple and the play/TV series And The Big Men Fly, but in many ways are more satisfying personally.
His extensive resume covers both fields, with regular spots in the well-known Bellbird, Prisoner, The Flying Doctors and Neighbours, mixed with writing and acting duties for film and stage.
In 2005 he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the performing arts as an actor, playwright and producer, and to the community through raising awareness of men's health issues.
The 76-year-old is bringing two of his plays to Hamilton for a conference organised by the National Centre for Farmer's Health and titled: Opening the gates on farmer health.
The health-related plays are a long way from Hopgood's earlier work, which included writing the seminal Aussie 1970s' sex film Alvin Purple and the play/TV series And The Big Men Fly, but in many ways are more satisfying personally.