Kerry Jordan, a renowned stage, television, and radio actor, hailed from New Zealand but made a significant impact in South Africa. Prior to his acting career, he studied law for four years in New Zealand and later became a fruit farmer and broadcaster for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. He then pursued a double scholarship to the Royal Society for Dramatic Art (RADA) in England.
Early in his British career, Kerry appeared in the 1957 film "The Flying Scot" and the television play series "Theatre Night" (BBC, 1957) as Bergerat in Jean-Paul Sartre's "Nekrassov". Between 1960 and 1961, he played a recurring role as Mr. Macintosh in the filmed comedy series "Glencannon", a British-American co-production that aired on ITV.
In 1964, Kerry relocated to South Africa, where he won a role in the high-profile Michael Caine star vehicle "Zulu", playing the Company Cook. The film also featured director Dennis Folbigge, who had previously adapted the popular television series "The Avengers".
Kerry continued to work in South African films, taking on roles in "Majuba" (1968) as Colonel Anstruther, "Mr. Kingstreet's War" (1971),"The Winners" (1974),and "Heroes Die Hard" (1978). His final film appearance was in "Kwagga Strikes Back" (1990).
In addition to his film work, Kerry enjoyed success on television, radio, and the stage in South Africa. In the 1980s, his television roles included the successful mini-series "Shaka Zulu" (1986),in which he portrayed the Reverend Bellow, and "Just Nuisance RN" (1989),an SABC series in which he appeared as a Royal Navy admiral.
Kerry's radio work in South Africa was extensive, with appearances on "Lux Radio Theatre", "Tuesday Theatre", and the occasional episode of the popular thriller series "No Place to Hide". His most memorable radio role was undoubtedly his part in "The Stories of Sherlock Holmes" (1979-1985, Springbok Radio),in which he took on the role of Dr. Watson, alongside Graham Armitage's Holmes. On the English Service, he was heard in many editions of "Radio Theatre" and his last performance on the English Service was in 1989 in the play "The Stinger".
