Peter Bensley
# Peter Bensley

Peter Bensley (born 6 February 1954, Warialda, New South Wales) is an Australian actor.

## Career

### Television

One of Bensley's earliest roles was as Dennis Braithwaite on the Seven Network drama series Class of '74. He also appeared in ABC Television children's show, Waterloo Street.

Bensley appeared in several Grundy Television soap operas including The Restless Years (1979); The Young Doctors as Dr. Mike Newman (from 1980 until the show finished in 1983); Prisoner as one of the three male prisoners, Matt Delaney (for 34 episodes in 1984); Neighbours (1986) as Tony Chapman; and Home and Away (1988 to 1990) as school teacher Andrew Foley. In 2009, he returned to Neighbours for a two-episode guest role as Dean.

In 1992, Bensley appeared as Dr. John Austin in the Australian miniseries The New Adventures of Black Beauty. In 1995, he appeared in the Australian/New Zealand co-production Mirror, Mirror, as Andrew Teigan, father of Jo Teigan.

Bensley also appeared in the long-running television series Water Rats about the Sydney Harbour Water Police Squad, in which he had the major role of Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker for the entire series run (1996–2001).

### Film

In 1983, Bensley played the title role of Stanley in the film Stanley. His most recent film appearance was in Romance on the Menu (2020).

### Advertisements

In the 1980s, Bensley appeared as a nude centrefold in the magazine, Cleo, wearing only strategically placed scuba gear. He also featured in a cheeky advertisement for Palmolive Gold, in which he is seen in bed with fellow The Young Doctors actress Judy McBurney, and semi-naked in a shower.

## Filmography

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| 2020 | Romance on the Menu | Dale Whitely | Feature film |
| 2017 | Don‘t Tell | Karen's Father | Feature film |
| 2010 | Tangerine | Alex | Short film |
| 1992 | The Time Game | Electricity Serviceman | TV movie |
| 1984 | Stanley | Stanley | Feature film |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| 2010 | Cops LAC | Chief Superintendent | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2009-10 | Packed to the Rafters | Derek | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1986-2009 | Neighbours | Tony Chapman / Dean | TV series, 8 episodes |
| 2001 | Corridors of Power | Mail Man | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1996-2001 | Water Rats | Chied Inspector Jeff Hawker | TV series, 177 episodes |
| 1997 | Roar | Alwyn | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1995 | Mirror, Mirror | Andrew Tiegan | TV series. 20 episodes |
| 1994 | Ship to Shore | Taxi Driver | TV series. 1 episode |
| 1991-94 | G.P. | Dean Noonan | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Paradise Beach | Martin Taylor | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992-94 | The New Adventures of Black Beauty | Dr. John Austin | TV series, 23 episodes |
| 1992 | Police Rescue | Phil Dorrick | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | Round the Twist | Mr Shelford | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1988-90 | Home and Away | Andrew Foley | TV series, 109 episodes |
| 1984-85 | Prisoner | Matt Delaney | TV series, 34 episodes |
| 1980-83 | The Young Doctors | Dr Mike Newman | TV series, 45 episodes |
| 1979 | Cop Shop | Gary Sinclair | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1979 | The Restless Years | | TV series |
| 1978 | Tickled Pink | Penny | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Chopper Squad | Vince | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | Rush | Patsey O'Halloran | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1975 | Class of 74 | Dennis Braithwaite | TV series, 98 episodes |

### As director

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1992 | Steam Across the Mountain | | Director |

## Author

His first fiction book, On a Wing and a Prayer, was published in 2006.

## Personal life

Bensley and his partner have 3 children.

