Ray Austin (director)
Introduction
Ray Austin (born 5 December 1932) is an English television and film director, television writer, novelist and former stunt performer and actor who has worked in both the United Kingdom and the United States. He served as director on episodes of some 50 programmes between 1968 and 1998.
Life and career
Austin started his career as a stunt performer on such films as North by Northwest (1959) and Spartacus (1960). From 1965 to 1967 he served as stunt coordinator on 50 episodes of The Avengers. For The Champions he initially became involved as a second unit director, subsequently rising to the position of full director. Perhaps on account of his background as a stunt performer, his style of direction was often highly visual and physical.
His work as a TV director includes episodes of The Avengers (1968), Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969–70), Space: 1999 (1975–76), The New Avengers (1976–77), and V (1984). He directed 50 of the 88 episodes of the series Zorro, which was filmed in Madrid between 1989 and 1992 for the American ABC Family Channel. He has also directed some made-for-TV films, including The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1983), and some feature films such as Virgin Witch (1972) and House of the Living Dead (1974).
The Guinness world record site states that "In 1965, Dame Diana Rigg (UK) became the first western actress to perform kung fu on Television when the combat choreographers Ray Austin (UK) and Chee Soo (UK/China) worked elements of the martial art into her fight scenes on The Avengers. Certificate presentation was done on The New Paul O'Grady Show."
Television
Director
- The Baron, 1966
- The Saint, 1968 (2 episodes)
- The Avengers, 1968 (2 episodes)
- The Champions, 1968
- Journey to the Unknown, 1968–69
- The Ugliest Girl in Town, 1968–69
- Department S, 1969 (4 episodes)
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), 1969–70 (6 episodes)
- Strange Report, 1971
- Shirley's World, 1971–72
- The Adventures of Black Beauty, 1974
- Space: 1999, 1975–76
- The New Avengers, 1976 (1 episode)
- The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, 1977–79
- W.E.B., 1978
- The Professionals, 1978 (2 episodes)
- Return of the Saint, 1978 (1 episode)
- Barnaby Jones, 1978 (1 episode)
- Sword of Justice, 1978 (2 episodes)
- Vega$, 1978–81
- Salvage 1, 1979 (2 episodes)
- A Man Called Sloane, 1979 (1 episode)
- Hawaii Five-O, 1979 (1 episode)
- B. J. and the Bear, 1979–80 (1 episode)
- Hart to Hart, 1979–80, 1984 (5 episodes)
- Wonder Woman, 1979
- From Here to Eternity, 1980
- The Love Boat, 1980 (4 episodes)
- House Calls, 1980–82
- Quincy, M.E., 1981 (2 episodes)
- Magnum, P.I., 1981–86
- Simon & Simon, 1982 (2 episodes)
- Tales of the Gold Monkey, 1982 (pilot)
- The Mississippi, 1983–84
- The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E., 1983 (pilot)
- Jessie, 1984
- The Master, 1984
- Airwolf, 1984 (1 episode)
- The Fall Guy, 1984 (2 episodes)
- Lime Street, 1985, 1987 (5 episodes, including pilot)
- V, 1985 (1 episode)
- Our House, 1986–87
- The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, 1987 (pilot)
- Snoops, 1989
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 1989 (1 episode)
- Zorro, 1992
- The Boys of Twilight, 1992
- Highlander: The Series, 1992–93
- Pensacola: Wings of Gold, 1997 (1 episode)
- CI5: The New Professionals, 1999 (2 episodes)
Writer
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), 1969
- Department S, 1971
- Shirley's World, 1971–72
- The Adventures of Black Beauty, 1974
- Magnum, P.I., 1980–86
- Hart to Hart, 1984
- The Master, 1984
- The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood, 1984 (TV film)
- Airwolf, 1985
- Lime Street, 1985
- V, 1985
- Spenser: For Hire, 1986
- Our House, 1986–88
- Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, 1987 (pilot)
Stunts
- Highway Patrol, 1955–59 (performer)
- Thunder Road, 1958 (stunt performer)
- North by Northwest, 1959 (stunt performer)
- Operation Petticoat, 1959 (stunt performer)
- Spartacus, 1960 (stunt performer)
- The Sundowners, 1960 (stunt performer)
- Have Gun – Will Travel, 1957–63 (performer)
- Peter Gunn, 1958–60, 1960–61 (performer)
- Guns of Navarone, 1961 (stunt performer)
- Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, 1961 (stunt arranger)
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, 1962 (stunt arranger)
- Tarzan, 1963 (stunt performer)
- Tom Jones, 1963 (stunt arranger)
- Cleopatra, 1963 (stunt arranger)
- The Dirty Dozen, 1967 (stunt Performer)
- The Avengers (arranger)
- Stunt arranger for Associated Television's action series at Elstree Studios, 1963-1971
Actor
- The Saint, 1963–64, 1966
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Mr Clay; 1962
- Tom Jones, 1963 (Thug)
- Clash by Night (a.k.a. Escape by Night), 1963 ( the Intruder)
- The V.I.P's, 1963 (Chauffeur)
- Ghost Squad, 1964
- The Avengers, 1965
Producer
- Shirley's World, 1971–72
- JAG, 1995–96, 1997
- The Perfume Garden
Film
Stunts
- North by Northwest, 1959 (performer)
- Operation Petticoat, 1959 (performer)
- Spartacus, 1960 (performer)
- Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, 1961 (stunt arranger)
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, 1962 (stunt arranger)
- Cleopatra, 1963 (stunt arranger)
- Tom Jones, 1963 (stunt arranger)
Director
- Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, 1961 (second unit)
- It's the Only Way to Go, 1970
- Fun and Games (a.k.a. 1000 Convicts and a Woman and Story of a Nympho), 1971
- Virgin Witch (a.k.a. Lesbian Twins), 1972
- House of the Living Dead (a.k.a. Doctor Maniac, Curse of the Dead, and Kill, Baby, Kill), 1973
Actor
- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) as Craig
- The V.I.P.s (1963) as Rolls-Royce Chauffeur
- Clash by Night (a.k.a. Escape by Night; 1963) as Intruder
Author
- Beauford Sloan Mysteries series
- The Eagle Heist (2002)
- Dead Again (2002)
- Your Turn to Die (2006)
- Find Me a Spy (2006)
- Catch Me a Traitor (2006)
Personal life
Austin is married to Wendy DeVere Knight-Bisley; Now: Wendy DeVere-Austin Baroness of Delvin.