Anthony ‘Tony’ Alexander Wager was born on 24 June, 1932 and grew up in Mill Hill - in the Borough of Hendon. Wager’s father was a London Plumber, though Wager himself wasn’t well skilled in that area.Wager and his sister grew up during the War period, and were often looked after by neighbours. It could be said that Anthony and his sister were inseparable and were by one another’s side wherever they went.
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| Above: Wager wearing his Christ's College uniform |
It would be Wager’s step-mother who found the audition call for the role of ’Pip’ in the film Great Expectations. Wager went along to the audition whilst studying at Christ’s College, and was later cast in the role of Pip, alongside John Mills. When finished, the film was given a Royal screening, in the presence of the-then Princess Elizabeth.
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| Above: Wager in the film Great Expectations... awaiting a good hiding. |
During a time when Britain wasn’t a place for young actors - such as Wager - he spent a lot of time out of work. However, around that time, Hollywood was more young actor friendly, and Wager was approached by studios in Hollywood. However, due to his father’s control, he was not able to take them up on their offer.
As Wager spent time in the West End, he lived with Brian Desmond Hurst - who was associated with the production in which Wager was also involved - to eliminate travel between the West End and Wager’s home, as the means of transport in that area were not particularly good.
In the late 1960s, Wager moved to Sydney, Australia. In this time, he suffered a heart attack and, due to the weather, Wager made the move to Perth. Wager, out of work, had several jobs to keep money in his pocket. During this time, he wrote scripts for movies, sketches, and would also draft out top comedians verbiage before they went on stage. Wager was credited with having very ‘sharp wit’. During his time spent in Australia, Wager would work mainly television shows and would often be spotted making cameo appearances.
Wager was a gambler - as had been his grandmother.
On 23 December 1990, Wager died. By this time, he had moved to Bali, again for health reasons. Wager was given a Balinese Funeral, considered a very high honour, and his ashes were scattered at a lake.
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| Above: Wager at 16, fresh out of the studio! |
What a wonderful and touching tribute to a man I don't remember but am very proud of. He was my uncle and such a shame that i never had the honour of being part of his interesting life. love to you mum.xx
ReplyDeleteYes, such a shame, you did meet him once, when he came back from Australia, to look after his son, Tim, who lived in Falmouth with his mother, who had divorced from my brother a few years earlier. His son Tim went to Australia in his later life to train a a doctor........
ReplyDeleteWow what a sight...Great to see a web sight dedicated to Tony Wager. Tony was a long time friend of my Mum and Dads.We met him through the dog club and spent a lot of time with him and his wife Chris.When they divorced in the early 80s Tony moved to an inner city suburb and purchased a terrace house.From memory he lived there a couple of years.He moved to Perth with the promise of long time work which unfortnately didn,t eventuate.I last saw Tony in about 1988..He came to see freinds and had either sold the property in Perth or was about to.He loved a drink,was a terrific story teller and was the typical englishman at the same time.When we heard he had passed it wasn't a great surprise as he had had heart problems since the early 1970's.He still smoked and drank like a fish.I have lots of fond memories of Tony.Thank You for letting me share some of them.Russell Jay
ReplyDeleteI have just seen Great Expectations and, being a great Dickens fan, decided to look up the talented actor who played the young Pip so brilliantly. I was very saddened to discover that he had passed away quite some time ago. The film was made the year I was born and I have never seen it until today. Well done Tony (Pip) RIP.
ReplyDeleteJust saw this on film4 for the first time ever, Tony was perfectly cast.Such a good voice and accent, really loved it.
ReplyDeleteI knew Tony, as he liked to be called, in the 1980's during the time he was asked to make a cameo appearance in an Australian television mini series of "Great Expectations" which was also a continuation of the original story He played a non-commisioned officer and I a corporal. I was taken by the fact that he had played Pip in the original David Lean film and he took it all his stride. He used to give me a lift in his car after the days shoot and he told me a little bit about the things he had been doing, including as a writer for TV shows. He was a lovely chap and I have good memories of our brief time together. I always wondered why there had not been a site dedicated to him and I'm pleased it has come about, for his family and friends and all those who enjoyed and will continue to enjoy his performance in a classic film.
ReplyDeleteRight from a boy my mother took me to the pictures ever week,two of my favourite films were oliver twist, and great expections,have just watched great expections oh t v ,came on line to read about Antony wager,how very sad to hear he had died. god bless.
ReplyDeleteDavid p Collins
A very talented boy and a perfect Pip. Great Expectations was doing the rounds of British cinemas before I was born, yet only last week it was showing at the Radio City Music Hall USA.Once again to critical acclaim with Anthony singled out for a special mention. This film is the definitive version for all Dickens fans and Anthony Wager is exactly how most people imagined young Pip to be. Sorry you had such very poor health Tony but thank you for what you achieved.I don't blame you for living in Bali, it's a beautiful place.May you Rest in Piece.
ReplyDeleteI have just watched Great Expectations - Tony Wager played a brilliant part - I watched the movie as a child and loved it - 40 years on it still captivates me. I'm so sorry for your loss - what a wonderful tribute to him and he leaves all of us with the richness of his performances to remember him.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
J
I would like to commemorate the 21st anniversary - ( 23rd December 1990 - 23rd December 2011 ) - of the passing of a very talented young actor. Tony fought the good fight to the end, despite severe heart trouble, (something that most people new nothing about), and gave much pleasure to many. To have lain forgotten for so long is often the fate of artists but now, thankfully, he has this site. I hope to see him one day recognized as other child actors have been, on the 'Find a Grave' website. God Bless Tony, Sleep Well, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteNever knew that Tony went to my old school, Christ's College Finchley. Even though Great Expectations was on our reading list, we could have at least been told that he was an Old Boy.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Tony in his school uniform brought back fond memories.
Tony played Pip beautifully in the definitive film of this classic. He will always be remembered. RIP.
ReplyDeleteWatched this great film again to-day never tire of it superb acting from Tony. Decided to Wiki him for more info so sad to read of his passing god bless.
ReplyDeleteI met Tony in about 1959 when we and a couple of others used to play Rummy for matchsticks until the early hours in a snooker club called 'The Phoenix' next to Tottenham Court Road tube station in London. Tony was always a good laugh and great company with lots of stories. He taught me to play a word game called 'Botticelli', which he claimed was invented by Donald Sinden the actor. Sad to hear (belatedly) of his final exit.
ReplyDeleteGreat Expectations is my all time favorite film. I have watched it so many times and always wondered what happened to Tony Wager. Tony was perfectly cast as Pip and will never be forgotten for his wonderful acting. RIP dear Tony.
ReplyDeleteWhat I cannot understand is, why this talented actor made so little impression in adult life. I have seen him as an adult in several relatively unknown movies and he is good, but there are no major films such as I would have hoped from someone who made such a promising start. I can see no reason why he could not have made it as a big name, just proves how unfair show business can be. It's very sad.I wonder whether this failure to make a breakthrough here (in England) was what prompted his move to Australia. Anyway, whatever the reason, he will never be surpassed as Pip not even if they remake the film a hundred times.No other boy could equal him, he Was Pip. Interestingly Pip as a character left England at the same age as Tony, to work on the other side of the world, and Charles Dickens himself died at Exactly Tony's age. I would like to know a little more about him (Tony) never the less,that is, if it isn't considered personal. His death is of interest to me because he died at a comparatively young age, many of his contemporaries are still alive today at nearly eighty.John Forest, his adversary in Miss Havershams Garden is still alive I believe at over eighty. I have always assumed that he died from an extension of his established heart problems which I am told he had from childhood but would this in fact be correct. A little bit more about him as a person would be very interesting.Still in the absence of anything further, thank you for the research you've done and I salute a brave boy and man. Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteBarry Waterfield.
Hello to you, I am Marilyn, Tony's sister. Good to see you pop up and I have noted your comments. In this country, when child stars reached adolescence, they had no classification. Not like in America, when Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland werent child stars, they had special story lines - e.g. university locations etc. Tony was aprroached by an American Studio to go over there when he was about 16, a gangling 6ft youth. My father being the controlling person that he was, would not alow Tony the opportunity. A very sad time..Then Tony had a good part in a West End drama called "Serious Charge" with the then very young Patrick Mcgoohan. Story of a homosexual father in the church approaching a choir boy. Tony was that boy. Very successful. Then he was asked to go to tour Australia with Peggy Mount in Sailor Beware. Again very successful tour but Tony married an Ozzie girl and stayed for a while. Then of course, he lost contacts in this country. He came back and went into a partnership with a chap that ran a Night Club in Luton which suited Tony as by this time he had a son and his wife was head of the make up department in Associated Television so she worked during the day and vice versa so the baby was well looked after. This marriage broke up, she stayed here in England and Tony went back to Australia. He did cameo roles there but also was a very good script writer and co-ordinated a lot of stuff for comediens, game shows etc. He had a heart attack at a very young age 39, but had enjoyed very good health up till then. He was later diagnosed as diabetic and unfortunately was on insulin from the word go. Tony once said t me when he was in his early 50's that if he died tomorrow he would have had a very good life. He went on to live until 58. Obviously I was desolute at losing him, but he lived and died the way he wanted to. As you say no-one will surpass his portrayal of the young PIP but the whole cast was full of very good, in fact excellent, actors.If you want to contact me again try joyce_preston@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
DeleteI am watching the movie "Great Expectations" for the 1st time and I was immediately drawn to the young boy who plays Pip. What a strickingly handsome and talented boy. I googled him right away and was surprised there is not much on here about him (mores the pity) and then I found this site. I'm surprised I have never heard of this movie or him. I love all the old movies, especially the English movies. They were so well done !! From what I'm reading here, it seems he enjoyed his life, which is nice to hear. That boy had a twinkle in his eyes and a look as though he knew something the rest of us didn't. I wouldn't even be surprised if I heard he walked with a skip in his step. I was hoping to find him still alive and doing well. So sorry to hear of his passing. "The End" came much to soon. I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for other movies he was in. P.S. And who better to portray the older Pip than Sir John Mills. Another superb actor !!
ReplyDeleteI was interested to read that you had never heard of this movie before. It is a sad fact that, although lorded at the time, the boy was destined to be forgotten far too soon, but the movie he made is surely world famous.
DeleteOver time I have gleaned quite a lot of information on Anthony Wager,(Tony was his preferred name) and I often look on this site to see what new comments there are. Privately I'm told, he was a very lively spirited boy with plenty to say. I am told that if you had met him expecting to meet the rather subdued Pip, you'd have had a surprise,he had a very expressive face and engaging eyes.All this highlights the brilliance of his work.David Lean was aware at the time, that it would take a very special type of boy to play the part with conviction and he was aware how important such a boy was to the start of the film and establishing the mood. Re takes were common , as indeed they often are, and there was little likelihood of sugaring the pill, the edgy bits had to be got through and got right, no matter how many times it took.
Various people have shared their memories of him with me, not least his sister Marilyn. I feel sad that others whose talents could have been crafted in a Cement Mixer, have made the bright lights, whilst he, a natural, has failed to interest the public beyond his boyhood years. He was very capable as an adult, but show business is not a level playing field.
The part of Pip as a boy is one of the hardest parts for a child to play, the first fifteen minuet's to half an hour of the film show this very clearly. He is violently shaken, tipped upside down,manhandled,thrown across the kitchen, smacked across the face and challenged to a fight. Yet Tony accomplished all this so seamlessly that we are not aware of the achievement, Dickens himself could not have been better pleased. Certainly, I have never seen the part played with such confidence. What follows is relatively straight forward compared to these first exchanges.
As I have said elsewhere, Anthony Wager may have failed to get the recognition he fully deserved in his lifetime, but he has earned his place in the history of Classical Cinema. And as to that 'skip in his step' and the smile that said 'I know something that you don't' well he probably did, but that would be for him to tell not me.
Barry Waterfield
A Christmas tribute to Tony, who died on this day twenty two years ago, if I've got my maths right. Given a proper chance I just wonder what he might have achieved. The world of showbiz is very much a lottery. Well done Pip old chap.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of us will soon be forgotten - but Anthony Wager will be there forever in a film so fine that it can never die. Glad be the man who can leave such a legacy behind him. RIP PIP young chap.
ReplyDeleteJust saw Great Expectations and couldnt get over the wonderful charismatic little boy who played Pip. Anthony Wager was a naturally brilliant actor and I googled him to see what else he had done. Very sad to read that he is dead. No mention of other movies that he made as I would like to see them. Its a shame that his father wouldnt let him go to america because I'm sure Anthony Wager would have become a star.
ReplyDeleteJan 2015.. who was young Pip?
ReplyDeleteThat was the question I asked of myself whilst watching Great Expectations.. sadly Tony is no longer here.. but his memory lives on through this wonderful film if not others.. How wonderful to leave such a legacy. Anything Wagner was and is a Star,always will be for generations to come