Tony Bonner: What He’s Doing Now, Skippy Myths & Career

Few television actors from the 1960s have managed to keep their name alive for six decades, but Tony Bonner is one of them. Best known as Mark from Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Bonner has since built a career that spans stage, screen, and teaching — and he still gently corrects that persistent helicopter story.

Birth date: November 23, 1943 ·
Known for: Skippy the Bush Kangaroo ·
Award: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) ·
Highest rated film (Rotten Tomatoes): The Lighthorsemen (71%) ·
Instagram followers: ~2,400

Six key facts, one fast reference:

What is Tony Bonner doing now?

Recent acting and teaching projects

Tony Bonner hasn’t retired. He still describes himself as an Actor – Director – Teacher on his Instagram profile. His official actor website (Tony Bonner AM – personal site) says he “uses the skills gained during his career” in recent years. The site also notes he served as president of the Manly Lifesaving Club (Tony Bonner AM – about page).

Current public appearances

A 2026 radio interview on 2GB (Sydney talk radio) called him a “remarkable Australian” and discussed his iconic role. Getty Images captions describe him as a former Sydney actor and model who returned for a month’s visit after working in Africa and England (Getty Images – photo archive).

Why did Tony Bonner leave Skippy?

Contract and career reasons

Bonner left Skippy after two seasons to pursue other acting opportunities. A 2009 ABC News (Australian public broadcaster) report says he departed “more than 40 years earlier” and later sought a share of the show’s profits. The article notes no public conflict or health issue forced his exit.

Departure timing and episodes

His character, Mark, was written out as moving overseas. Bonner himself has said the decision was purely career-driven – he wanted to expand into other roles (Now To Love – Australian lifestyle publication).

What this means: Leaving a hit show early can limit immediate fame, but for Bonner it opened doors to international film and stage work. That trade-off shaped his later career.

Did Tony Bonner actually fly the helicopter in Skippy?

Who flew the helicopter in the series

The myth that Tony Bonner piloted the helicopter in Skippy has persisted for decades. But according to Wikipedia (encyclopedic biography), a stunt pilot handled all aerial sequences. Bonner did not hold a pilot license during the show’s run.

Bonner’s own pilot status

In a National Film and Sound Archive interview, Bonner humorously clarified that he was never at the controls (Now To Love – Australian lifestyle publication). The myth likely stuck because his character Mark was often shown near helicopters, and the series’ editing blurred the line between actor and stunt.

What is Tony Bonner known for?

TV, film, and stage career highlights

Bonner’s most famous role remains Mark in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (Wikipedia). Beyond that, his film credits include Quigley Down Under (1990) and The Lighthorsemen (1987), the latter holding a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (IMDb – film industry database). He also worked extensively in theatre.

Key roles in Skippy, Quigley Down Under, The Lighthorsemen

His international exposure came from Quigley Down Under, where he appeared alongside Tom Selleck. An Apple TV profile lists him as “Anthony Frederick Bonner – Australian television, film, and stage actor and singer.”

The pattern: Bonner’s career is a lesson in versatility – from children’s TV to westerns to war films, he never stayed in one genre long enough to be typecast.

Who was Tony Bonner’s wife?

Marriage history and family

Tony Bonner was married to an actress and singer, though her specific name is not widely publicized. According to Now To Love (Australian lifestyle publication), he turned his life around after personal struggles, referencing family support. He has children, but the family keeps a low profile.

The trade-off: celebrity often exposes private details, but Bonner has managed to shield his family from public scrutiny – a deliberate choice that aligns with his preference for a quieter later life.

Tony Bonner timeline

• 1943 – Born in Manly, Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
• 1960s – Achieved fame as Mark in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (Wikipedia)
• 1968–1970 – Departed Skippy after two seasons (ABC News)
• 1987 – Starred in The Lighthorsemen (IMDb)
• 1990 – Appeared in Quigley Down Under (IMDb)
• Recent years – Awarded AM; active teaching and acting; gave NFSA interview (Tony Bonner AM – official site)

Timeline takeaway: Bonner’s career has had long plateaus but also distinct peaks. The rhythm he established – peak on a children’s show, then film, then teaching – shows an actor who values evolution over nostalgia.

Quotes from and about Tony Bonner

“I never flew the helicopter – people still ask me that!”

– Tony Bonner, in an NFSA interview (cited in Now To Love)

“Tony Bonner has been in the industry for over 40 years and is one of Australia’s most successful actors.”

– Tony Bonner AM, official website

“A remarkable Australian… best known for his iconic role in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.”

– 2GB radio, Omny/2GB

“He turned his life around after personal struggles, but the Skippy connection never fades.”

– Now To Love

For Australian audiences who grew up with Skippy, Tony Bonner remains a familiar face. For younger viewers discovering him through streaming, the helicopter myth is the first thing they ask. The truth is simpler than the legend: Bonner built a long, varied career by making sensible choices – leaving a hit show before it defined him, taking film roles that challenged him, and ultimately sharing his skills as a teacher. The decision to pursue growth over comfortable fame gave him more years in the industry than many of his contemporaries.

For fans wondering what happened to the man behind Mark, the implication is clear: Bonner is still here, still teaching, still acting when the part fits – and still gently correcting that helicopter story.

Fans of the show might also be interested in Garry Pankhursts story, which explores what happened to the actor who played Sonny Hammond.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Bryan Brown: Australian Actor’s Career, Marriage & Net Worth · Annie Maynard: Biography, Age, Movies, TV Shows & Awards