What’s up Skip? No residuals?

Lawyers for actor Tony Bonner have lodged documents in Sydney’s Supreme Court against producers of the 1960’s children’s series, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, seeking residuals for the hit series.

Bonner, who appeared as helicopter pilot Flight Ranger Jerry King (pictured, right) in the first series, claims he’s entitled to a share of four decades worth of profits from the show, merchandising and associated film and music spin-offs.

Skippy sold to more than 128 countries, and still runs in territories such as Hong Kong.

Bonner, 64, says he has never received any residual payments despite its phenomenal worldwide success.

“If they’d just said ‘thank you’ to me 30 years ago, 20 years ago, 10, then that would’ve been the end of it. But they’ve never even bought me a cup of coffee,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

The entire three seasons of the show, which won a Logie for Best Export Production in 1969, have now been issued on DVD.

“For years people have thought I was earning a lot of money from the show. But I haven’t received a single cent since my last pay cheque from (production company) Fauna (about $200) in 1968,” Bonner said.

“When I saw the latest boxed set of DVD’s I thought ‘I’ve had enough’.”

Sydney lawyer Rick Mitry, representing Bonner, said yesterday: “I believe he’s entitled to be compensated for his role in the show.”

A documentary about the success of Australia’s first international TV series is also to be produced by WA’s Electric Pictures.

A hearing on the case is listed for September 22.

Source: News.com.au