From Kingswood Country to The Slap, and beyond – the warm, funny and surprising life of one of Australia’s much-loved actors and broadcasters, Lex Marinos, is now revealed in his memoir Blood and Circuses.
In his early years on TV he was the ‘wog’, then ultimately became the majestic patriarch, Manolis, in The Slap.
His work has taken him all over Australia, from remote Indigenous communities to directing one of the segments at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.
He was there when Triple J was born, he ran the rugby league touchlines for ABC Sport, was a panellist on Andrew Denton’s Live & Sweaty, and appeared in dozens of films and countless stage productions.
He lived through the stimulating times of the rock’n’roll in the ’50s, the hippies in the ’60s, the huge renaissance in Australian theatre and film and radio in the ’70s.
His first book, Blood and Circuses, is the wry and charming story of a young Greek Australian boy, whose family ran a cafe in Wagga Wagga in the 1950s and who dreamt of making his life in the theatre. It is a vivid account of a life lived to the full, beautifully written by a much-loved Australian.
Lex Marinos’ book Blood and Circuses is published by Allen & Unwin, $32.99.
The Greek Australian actor will present his book on Monday 14 July, 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm, at Mosman Library, 605 Military Road, Mosman, Sydney. Tickets are $10 for adults, pensioners and students $8. To get tickets, contact Mosman Library on (02) 9978 4091 or visit www.events.mosman.nsw.gov.au/events