Paul Karo: The Australian Actor Who Played First Gay Character On TV Dies At 89
Beloved Australian actor Paul Karo has died, aged 89.
On Friday, the well-established actor, known for his lengthy stints in both TV and movies, passed away, leaving us two short months before his 90th birthday. According to TV Tonight, this was the sad news that reached us.
Throughout his acting career, Karo was recognized primarily for his portrayal of the openingly gay TV producer Lee Whiteman in the popular series, The Box, where he played numerous roles on stage and screen as well.
I had the privilege of taking center stage in close to 200 installments of an adult-focused drama, which was cleverly crafted around a make-believe broadcasting station.
During his term from 1974 to 1976, he held a groundbreaking position, as homosexuality was outlawed in many parts of the nation at that time.
South Australia became the first state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1975.
Crawford Productions’ debut show, titled “The Box,” was designed to challenge the popularity of the provocative series, Number 96.
It showcased groundbreaking plotlines, such as among the initial depictions of same-sex relationships on TV within the nation.
In 1976, Karo was highly acclaimed for his role as Whiteman, earning him the prestigious Best Australian Actor Logie award.
It was the first time a Logie had been awarded for the portrayal of an openly gay character.
Yet, Karo departed the show not long after due to concerns about typecasting, given his portrayal of a gay character in Crawford’s renowned drama Division 4 earlier on.
‘Everyone thinks of me as playing the role of a queer,’ he told TV Week at the time.
‘They haven’t had the opportunity to see me do anything else.’
As a lifestyle expert, I wholeheartedly concur with Andrew Mercado’s insightful observation about the impact of Karo’s portrayal of a gay character on television. His role was not just groundbreaking entertainment; it was a significant step forward in promoting diversity and understanding within our society.
1974 saw Paul Karo gracing the cover of TV Times together with Joe Hasham, who was popularly known as Don from Number 96.
The title announced, “Gay Men Rule Supreme,” while the ensuing three-page article delved into the captivating “showbiz trend” of three gay television personalities (including Dudley, portrayed by Chard Hayward on 96) who have emerged as the most beloved figures on Australian television screens.
It’s amazing to reflect on the fact that during a time when homosexuality was outlawed, a popular magazine found it acceptable to discuss this topic, and Australian audiences showed receptiveness towards understanding novel ideas about it. This just goes to show how open-minded Aussie viewers were back then.
Mercado went on to say, “Then, both shows concluded, and it wasn’t until two whole decades passed that anyone ventured back there. Quite amusing, isn’t it?
After making a name for himself with groundbreaking performances, Karo accumulated several television roles, appearing in notable series like Prisoner, The Sullivans, Cop Shop, and Carson’s Law.
He also had guest roles in the likes of Phoenix, Janus, Blue Heelers and Good Guys Bad Guys.
On the large screens, credits for Karo’s work appear in films such as adaptations of “The Box,” “Evil Angels,” “Paperback Romance,” and “Lucky Break.
Paul hails from Scotland but later moved with his family to New Zealand, kick-starting his journalism career there as a trainee reporter.
After that, he moved once more, settling in Australia in 1950, where he started developing his acting skills on the theater stage.
His debut on television occurred in 1959 through an episode titled “Tragedy in a Temporary Town,” which was part of the anthology series Shell Presents.
Karo had an illustrious acting career filled with notable achievements, one of them being the Best Actor Award he received in 1966 for playing in ‘A Lily for Little India’.
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2025-04-05 15:48