Bill Collins (television presenter)
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William Roderick Collins OAM (known as Bill Collins) (born December 4, 1934 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian film critic and television presenter.
Originally a school teacher, Collins' appreciation of cinema led him to write reviews in the early 1960s and resulted in him working as a film presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Commission. During the 1970s he moved into commercial television presenting films on the Seven Network and then in the 1980s for the Ten Network.
Widely recognised in Australia for his passionate enthusiasm for films, his profile allowed him to meet and become acquainted with a range of film makers from the "Golden Age of Hollywood". His presentations usually consist of a brief review of the film and its actors, specific discussion of filming techniques as well as personal recollections and quotes from the film makers he had interviewed. Since 1995 he has nightly presented films for the Foxtel cable television network FOX Classics.
His celebrity status has allowed him to take cameo roles in film and television notably Prisoner (1985) and Howling III (1987).
Collins resides in Sydney, Australia with his wife, Joan. In addition to his television work, he lectures at the University of Sydney on film and related subjects. In 1987, he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to film and television. Also in 1987, his book of film reviews and essays, Bill Collins Presents "The Golden Years of Hollywood", was published.
