David Charles Lawrence (12 February 194110 June 1995), known professionally as Bruno Lawrence, was an English-born New Zealand musician and actor who was active in the industry in New Zealand and Australia.

Initially notable as a musician and founder of the 1970s ensemble Blerta, he went on to well-regarded roles in several major films. His television work included starring in the 1990s era Australian satirical series Frontline.

Early life

David Charles Lawrence By the age of 14, he had acquired a drum kit, and discovered his passion for jazz music

Career

Music

Lawrence was a jazz and rock drummer in numerous bands. In 1961, he joined jazz pianist Ronnie Smith's new band, with Tommy Tamati and Ricky May for about a year, playing the drums. In 1963, Lawrence drummed as a session musician for several bands, recorded jazz tracks for radio shows and formed a trio who appeared on television. The show was repeated in 1990, with the New Zealand String Quartet. Lawrence then formed a band with Jonathan Crayford called Jazzmin, playing in Wellington from 1990 to 1993. His last foray into music was in a band called Cracker. who at the age of 16, worked on the set of 1983 film Utu, alongside his father (as lead actor) and mother (as location manager). Thad also appeared alongside his father in a 1975 television commercial for Crunchie.

After Blerta's 1974 tour, Lawrence and family set up base at a commune called 'Snoring Waters', in the Hawke's Bay community of Waimārama.

Death

In 1994, while enjoying the success of the Australian television series Frontline, Lawrence was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He died in Wellington, New Zealand, on 10 June 1995 at the age of 54.

Filmography

Film

{|class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

! Ref.

|-

| 1968 || Hurry Hurry Faster Faster || Dr Brunowski || Short film<br>Also director ||

|-

| 1969 || The Box || The Robber || Short Film ||

|-

| rowspan="3"|1980 || Goodbye Pork Pie || Mulvaney || ||

|-

| A Woman of Good Character || Younger Son || ||

|-

| Beyond Reasonable Doubt || Pat Vesey || ||

|-

| Race for the Yankee Zephyr || Barker || ||

|-

| Carry Me Back || Motorway Traffic Cop || ||

|-

| Prisoners || Peeky || ||

|-

| 1982 || A Point of View || Grant Goodman || Short Film ||

|-

| rowspan="3"|1984 || Wild Horses || Tyson || ||

|-

| Heart of the Stag || Peter || Also writer ||

|-

| Death Warmed Up || Tex || ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1985 || An Indecent Obsession || Matt Sawyer || ||

|-

| The Quiet Earth || Zac Hobson || Also writer ||

|-

| 1986 || Bridge to Nowhere || Mac || ||

|-

| 1987 || Initiation || Nat Molloy || ||

|-

| rowspan="3"|1988 || Rikky and Pete || Sonny || ||

|-

| As Time Goes By || Ryder || ||

|-

| Grievous Bodily Harm || Det. Sgt. Ray Birch || ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1989 || The Delinquents || Bosun || ||

|}

Television

{|class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

! Ref.

|-

| 1969 || Tank Busters || Bruno || TV movie short ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1971 || Time Out || Johnny O’Keefe || TV documentary ||

|-

| Pukemanu || Biker || Episode: "Pukemanu Welcomes You" ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1974 || Percy the Policeman || Burglar Bill || 5 episodes ||

|-

| Country Calendar || The Neighbour || Episode: "Fred Dagg" ||

|-

| 1979 || The Neville Purvis Family Show || Various roles / Guru || ||

|-

| Pallet on the Floor (aka Pallet on the Floor) || Ronald Hugh Morrieson || Also composer / music director ||

|-

| 1983 || It's Lizzie to Those Close || Younger Son || TV movie ||

|-

| rowspan="3"|1984 || Welcome to Paradise || Tony Blackwood || TV movie ||

|-

| Inside Straight || Nick || Episode 7: "Card Game" ||

|-

| Special Squad || Arthur Poole || Episode 32: "Until Death" ||

|-

| 1985 || Kaleidoscope – Roger Donaldson in Hollywood || Himself || TV documentary special ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1986 || Pokerface || Ray 'Creepy' Crawley || Miniseries, 3 episodes ||

|-

| The Great Bookie Robbery || Cracka Park || Miniseries, 3 episodes ||

|-

| 1988 || The Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy || Terry Batchelor || TV movie ||

|-

| 1989 || Night of the Red Hunter || Ish Murdie || 4 episodes ||

|-

| Magic Kiwis – Bruno Do That Thing || Himself || TV special ||

|-

| 1992 || The Rainbow Warrior || Terry Batchelor || TV movie ||

|}

Theatre

{|class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

! Ref.

|-

| 1972 || Sausage and Mash || Performer || Star Boating Club, Wellington with Blerta & Acme Sausage Company ||

|-

| 1980 || The State of the Nation || Musician (drums) || Circa Theatre, Wellington ||

|-

| 1991 || Henceforward... || Lupus (appears on video) || Circa Theatre, Wellington ||

|}

Awards and nominations

{|class="wikitable"

! Year

! Work

! Award

! Category

! Result

! Ref.

|-

| rowspan="2"|1965 || rowspan="2"|"Bruno Do That Thing" || Aotearoa Music Awards || Single of the Year || ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|Loxene Golden Disc Awards || Best Song || ||

|-

| rowspan="2"|1970 || "Ride the Rain" || Best Song || ||

|}

References

  • Bruno Lawrence on NZ On Screen
  • Bruno Lawrence on australianscreen online
  • AudioCulture profile