Being a part of a TV show thats been around for thirty years and counting is no small feat. Any true-blue Aussie knows actor Ray Meagher and has seen him at least once on telly.
Home and Away is a household name for millions of Australian families and has transcended generations since 1988.
Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart in Home and Away, is the only cast member who is still on the show since it first aired in the 80s. Compared to current reality TV stars he’s an institution.
Alf Stewart on Home and Away
Alf Stewart is a no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is good natured rogue. Known for his ocker ways and his classic Aussie sayings, he’s one of the most loved characters not just on Home and Away, but on Australian TV.
In an interview with Lauren Margrave for Wayback Machine, Meagher shares, “Some people think Alf is miserable but I think he is an upstanding member of the community. He can be a bit grumpy and gets stuck into people and you have to be quick to catch his apology if he is wrong, but on the whole he is a big softie.”
Alf Stewart made his debut on Home and Away in the pilot episode. He is a businessman with ‘a finger in every pie’ in the Bay, including the Summer Bay Caravan Park.
If you think you know everything about Alf Stewart, Home and Awaylegend, read on and you may find something new…
How old is Alf Stewart?
Alf Stewart is currently 72 years of age on Home and Away.
Who is Alf Stewart’s wife?
Based on the Summer Bay storyline, Alf has had two wives. His first wife, Martha Baldivis, died. He then Ailsa Hogan, the general store owner, much to his daughter Roo’s dismay.
Who is Alf Stewart’s daughter?
Alf has two daughters. One of course, is Roo Stewart. The other is Quinn Jackson, who appeared on the show in October 2017 after a 22-year absence.
Best Alf Stewart quotes and sayings?
‘Struth!’ and ‘Stone the flamin’ crows!’ are definitely on the top of the list.
In an interview with Calum Henderson for The Spinoff, he explains how he sees himself as an advocate of preserving classic Aussie slang for future generations. “That’s part of the brief for me-when people change things I want to change them back.
You get kids on the show now, and also the way some of the writers write the show, they just pick up Americanisms. I nearly vomit when I hear them. “No no no that’s American!” [laughs] “I’ve got nothing against Americans, they’re lovely, but we’re Australians. We don’t have to copy every bloody thing they say,” Meagher explains.
When it comes to Alf Stewart, let’s just say Meagher can get very hands on with the writers of Home and Away. He shares, “The writers wrote “flamin” [for Alf] early on. They used to write “flamin’ heck” and some writers still write “flamin’ heck” but I don’t do “flamin’ heck” it’s “flamin’ hell” if you’re going to say anything like that.”
Famous Alf Stewart sayings:
- Don’t come the raw prawn with me Flamin’ yahoos
- Stone the flamin’ crows
- Struth
- Strike me roan
- Ya flamin’ galah
- Ya flamin’ mongrel
Has Alf Stewart ever been arrested?
Yes. Alf was framed by Penn Graham for his parents’ death and wrongly jailed, (yet was soon released).
What are the most famous Alf Stewart memes?
You know you’ve reached icon status when you have an entire Facebook page dedicated to memes about you. Here’s one of the most iconic.
Why have there been so many Alf Stewart parody videos?
Meagher has that flamin’, no bullshit personality that is unmatched by anyone else on Australian TV. His ockerisms are almost begging to be parodied.
Was Alf Stewart on a Snickers ad?
Yes, he was! Fair dinkum See for yourself!
Is Alf Stewart in the Guinness Book of Records?
Too right he is. Alf is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest-running continuing role on Australian television.
Is Alf Stewart leaving Home and Away?
In an interview with TV week earlier this year, Meagher admitted things were looking shaky for his character: ‘He is stuck down a sinkhole with a lump of concrete on his chest and no visible help in sight. It’s not looking good for him. Alf is pretty worried.’ While there were fears Alf would wind up dead, luckily this was not the case.
Meagher is currently taking a short break from Home and Away to perform in the theatre production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Ray Meagher, the actor
After thirty years’ worth of family drama, it seems as if Home and Away is far from dead. Even Meagher himself has no plans of slowing down. In an interview with Daily Mail Australia earlier this year, the iconic actor shares that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. He reveals, “I’ve never really thought about it [retirement]. You know, I’m not sure what I’d do if I retire – I’m not into gardening. I hope it’s a long way off. The main thing at this age is to try and stay fit and healthy and well and, so far, touch something, that’s working, at least.”
He is so well known for playing Alf, it’s easy to forget Meagher the man. Here are some fast facts you might not have known about the actor and his personal life…
How old is Ray Meagher?
Ray Meagher is 73 years old.
Is Ray Meagher married?
He’s been married to Gilly Meagher since 2010.
Does Ray Meagher have any kids?
Meagher chose to never have kids. He felt his chosen line of work can be “very precarious” and is a “pretty dodgy old profession employment-wise”. “When I was younger as a freelance actor, I wondered whether I’d be able to feed myself let alone anybody else.”
Has Ray Meagher been on any other shows or movies?
Ray Meagher also plays Bob, a mechanic from a small outback town, in the musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
“I always think Bob is like Alf on Valium! He’s more of a laid-back character than Alf,” Meagher jokingly shares to Daily Mail.
Meagher previously portrayed Bob in the 2007 production of Priscilla in Sydney, London, and New Zealand. He reveals,”I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d ever do a big musical like Priscilla, because singing and dancing are not my forte, but I just love it!”
Meagher has also been part of phenomenal projects such as traveling to the UK for traditional Christmas pantomimes, playing Abanazar in a production of Aladdin at the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke and performing as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.
Has Ray Meagher won a Gold Logie?
Yes, Ray Meagher won the Gold Logie for playing Alf Stewart on Home and Away in 2010. He also won 2018’s Most Popular Actor Logie Award.
What is Ray Meagher’s salary?
$500,000 per year.
What is Ray Meagher’s net worth?
He reportedly has an estimated net worth of $1.9 million as of 2018.
Australians just can’t get enough of Ray Meagher.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
