A few years back Gil Tucker was everywhere on Aussie TV and film. He played many a good-natured young police officer (who could forget Constable Roy Baker in “Cop Shop”?) living life by the rule book when everyone around him was older, tougher or had an eye-catching cleavage. Back then they’d call him straight. Possibly too much. But that’s what got the laughs. His acting skills have taken him from a little film called “Mad Max” to the modern street smarts of “City Homicide”. So, when you think about it people like Gil are rare. He holds an all too underrated position of seeing both the “olden days” of our film industry and being a part of it’s future success. Today, Gil’s voice is still straight with you. Honest. A little bewildered at these modern times but willing to help, to explain, to set the course for the family holiday. Speaking of families, I’d reckon should any niece or nephew need sorting out, Gil would be there for a quick chat. They’d be right after that. Gil is the sort of fella who runs the last of the family corner stores. Knows every product, every packet and knows where it goes. He wraps and takes it out to the car for you…….unfortunately, some bastard was robbing the register while he was out. I could imagine him popping up behind counters around the country explaining or rebuilding TV and wireless sets. When everything seems lost, Gil would have the part for it. He’s a publican. He’s a market stall vendor. He’s a farmer. He’s a cheery roadside car service mechanic coming to your rescue at two in the morning. And that’s what any product he voices has too. Aussie dependability and honest service. Sure, there are voices that come dressed in a tailored suit, all buttoned-down corporate finery. But it’s nice to know, Gil is one of us. He’s just as confused with the world as we are. I’d have him in the car holding the map and giving directions to the beach any day.
