Andrew McKaige

**Andrew McKaige** (born 1959) is an Australian actor, most prominent in television soap operas. As well as acting, McKaige is also a voice-artist and singer-songwriter, having played with the country rock band, The Fine Line. In 1994, he won second place for Best Song in the Country Category of the Australian Songwriter's Association. Divorced, McKaige met his wife Leslie while living in Los Angeles. After seven years of marriage, the couple divorced when he returned to Australia for a role in the Nine Network television soap Paradise Beach.

## Early life

Coming from a family of avid Australian Rules Football fans, In his teens, McKaige, along with his brothers played for Melbourne Football Club, and was named Under 17's Best and Fairest in 1975. His father, Ken McKaige, played for a number of different clubs over his career. At the age of five years, his brother Cameron was the youngest person ever signed to a league club. This was to ensure that he was not later residentially tied to play for Richmond.

## Early Acting Roles

While best known for his roles in Australian night-time soap operas, McKaige began his television career playing in comedy skits on the Paul Hogan Show. He then went on to play small roles on programs that included Cop Shop and The Sullivans. His big break came when he landed a recurring role in Skyways in 1979.

In addition to being an original cast member of the 1980s soap opera Sons and Daughters, he went on to be the second actor to play the role of Marty Jackson in Prisoner (Cell Block H) – succeeding Ronald Korosy and preceding Michael Winchester.

After residing in Los Angeles for a number of years, he returned to Australia and has since appeared in Paradise Beach, Blue Heelers, Neighbours and All Saints. He provides the voice of Pvt. Chips Dubbo in the Halo videogame series.

Just prior to being cast in All Saints he played recurring character Geoff Burke in Neighbours.

### All Saints interview

**''Tainted saint''**

His run on All Saints is almost over, but Andrew McKaige is not bitter

Actor Andrew McKaige had been hoping to hold beautiful Georgie Parker in his arms.

As Dr Peter Morrison in the TV hospital drama, *All Saints*, he believed his role was to win over Georgie, the nun, until she was forced to consider breaking her vows.

"It would have been fun," sighs the hunky 40-year-old.

But, just before Christmas, Andrew received the news every working actor dreads.

"I got a call from my agent saying, ‘We've spoken to the producers and they've decided they don't need you,’" Andrew frowns.

In his place as a potential love interest for Georgie is heart-throb newcomer to the show, former *Pacific Drive* actor, Erik Thomson. Andrew says Erik is "a great guy".

He adds, "A survey showed that viewers wouldn't find it believable that Georgie would give up her vows for me, so the scriptwriters believed they'd written me into a corner."

Asked if he thinks he could have been written out of that corner, he says, "Well, yes."

"It was so unexpected, it was tough at first. When I heard the news, I couldn't work out why. That only last a short time. Now I'm very philosophical. That's showbiz, isn't it?" grins the veteran of *Skyways, The Sullivans, Paradise Beach* and *Sons and Daughters*.

It's been a tumultuous year for Melbourne-born Andrew.

His seven-year marriage to his American wife Leslie broke up just after the move to Sydney for *All Saints*.

The two married after a whirlwind romance in LA, where Andrew had been living. He and Leslie moved back to Australia in 1991 for his role in *Paradise Beach*.

When the marriage broke down last April, Leslie returned to LA.

"Leslie and I weren't being good towards each other," Andrew says.

But Andrew is accepting of the changes in his life.

"When I was told I was out of the show, it was painful. But that cliché — ‘One door closes, another opens’ — is true!" he says. "I've been studying Spanish and I'm keen to go to South America, then LA to see Leslie."

He adds, "I don't think a reconciliation is on the cards. But I can see us continuing to be close friends."

The break-up is the subject of several songs. Andrew penned *Nothing Lasts Forever Any More* and *I'm Getting Tired of Being Alone* for his country rock band, The Fine Line, which performed at the recent Tamworth country music festival.

"Music has been an important part of my life for a long time."

Andrew can be seen in the Seven Network's *All Saints* until late April. "I don't want anyone to think I'm bitter about being dropped," he adds."

"Oh, and I did get to kiss Georgie on camera once — but that was just for a dream sequence!"

By Jacqui Lang

March 22, 1999

Woman's Day

## After All Saints

He guest starred in two episodes of The Secret Life of Us.