Ray Meagher Reflects on Life, Career, and Staying Young at Heart | Home and Away Legend
As Home and Away prepares to celebrate its incredible 37-year milestone on air, Ray Meagher, the beloved actor who has been with the show from the very beginning, takes a moment to reflect on his extraordinary career and life beyond the iconic Summer Bay. “I don’t think about age much,” Ray shares with TV Week, acknowledging that despite the passing years, he feels as youthful as ever. “I don’t know where the 37 years have gone,” he laughs, looking back on nearly four decades of storytelling that has captivated Australian audiences.
Ray credits the show’s enduring success not to any one individual, but to the collaborative effort that goes into every episode. “If we knew what made Home and Away so successful, we’d all write a book about it,” he muses, but acknowledges that it’s the teamwork and dedication of the entire cast and crew that has kept the show thriving. With two and a half hours of television produced each week, Ray’s life is filled with time spent working alongside co-stars like Georgie Parker and Emily Simons. “Georgie’s like the Energizer Bunny,” Ray says, laughing about her boundless energy, adding that she’s “such a fine actor.” He also praises Emily Simons, calling her performance one of the most consistent he’s ever witnessed.
This year has been a particularly dramatic one for Ray’s character, Alf Stewart, who faced a life-threatening heart attack. “My heart just rebels against everything every now and again,” Ray jokes, acknowledging how Alf’s storyline pushed him to the edge. Thankfully, Alf survived, thanks to the quick actions of Dr. Levi, but it was a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
Off-screen, Ray reached a personal milestone, turning 80 earlier this year. To mark the occasion, TV Week threw a special celebration for the actor, complete with a photo shoot and cake. Despite this milestone, Ray says that age doesn’t really factor into his daily life. “I never let age stop me from running back and forth between the wardrobe, the makeup vans, and the set,” he says with a smile. “If I’m still doing that, I can’t be too old, can I?” Ray’s sense of youthful vigor is evident, and he’s proud to keep up with the demands of his role, even after all these years.
After another whirlwind year of filming, Ray is looking forward to some much-needed downtime with his close family over the Christmas holidays. He’s especially excited to spend time with his sister-in-law Pat, who he describes as almost like a mother figure to him. Following that, he plans to unwind at his beach retreat north of Brisbane. “We’ve got a little pull-the-door-shut place up there, and we love it,” Ray says, describing the peaceful spot where he plans to relax and recharge. “It’s like how I imagine Summer Bay might have been once.”
As Home and Away continues to bring audiences new drama and unforgettable moments, Ray remains a cornerstone of the show’s legacy, and it’s clear that his passion for both his career and his life outside of the screen keeps him young at heart. Fans can expect even more from Ray and Alf in 2025 when the beloved Aussie drama returns to Channel 7.