Richard Bruce Wherrett
10 December 1940
7 December 2001 (aged 60)
Director
1970 - 2001
Early life[edit]
Richard Wherrett was born on 10 December 1940, the younger brother of motoring journalist Peter Wherrett.[1] Their father Eric was an abusive and violent alcoholic[2] from whom the family would often escape to nearby cinema houses when he would fly into a rage. This, together with his mother Lyle McClintock's love of Jerry Lewis films played a big part in Wherrett developing an interest in show business and a talent for comic impersonations.[3]
He was educated at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, before attending the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1961.[1] His contemporaries at the university included Clive James, Germaine Greer, Bruce Beresford, Mungo McCallum, Bob Ellis, John Bell, John Gaden, Laurie Oakes and Les Murray.
After falling off stage during a university performance of The Three Musketeers, Wherrrett abandoned the idea of acting, but discovered his love of directing while in London in the mid-1960s.[3]
He taught English and Ancient History at Trinity Grammar for four years.
Personal life[edit]
Wherrett knew he was gay from the age of 17. Nevertheless, he had a well-publicised relationship with the actress Jacki Weaver[2] from 1971 to 1974. Weaver claimed she always knew about Wherrett's sexual orientation, but nevertheless described him as the love of her life. She even moved back in with Wherrett to nurse him during his final days.[18]