On this week’s episode of Magic’s 'Where Are They Now?', Mark McCarron caught up with Ray Woolf, the Essex-born lad who came to be a Kiwi entertainment icon.
In his conversation with Mark, Ray delved into his illustrious six-decade career, reflecting on its diverse turns, surprising longevity, and the profound impact he hopes to have left on New Zealanders.
Ray, who moved with his family to New Zealand in 1962 when he was seventeen, had already begun to establish himself as quite the musician in London.
When it came to NZ’s newer and vibrant pop music scene, he didn’t hesitate to kick off his career here too. He recalls how he got stuck into things almost immediately, starring in what was NZ’s first TV music show.
"I got to New Zealand in 1962, and I think either that same year, or in early 63, I did a thing called ‘In the Groove’... So it started really early”
Listen to the full chat below
This era paved the way for his involvement in the ‘65 show ‘Play It By Ear’, and then in crowd favourites ‘C’mon’ and ‘Happen In’ in the late 60s and early 70s.
Ray looks back on these opportunities with gratitude, mentioning “all us singers got a shot on TV lots and lots and lots. Which doesn’t happen anymore, of course”.
Cast of 'C'mon'. Ray Woolf, far right.
A pivotal and unexpected shift in his career came with children's television. He humorously recalled being encouraged to audition for the kids' TV show ‘Play School’ fresh off the set of ‘Happen Inn’.
“I was sitting in the green room and a lady came out that I knew, and said, ‘We’re auditioning for ‘Play School’, why don’t you audition?’”.
To which the entertainer replied, “Don't be silly, darling. I'm a rock star."
He did, of course, end up auditioning and was offered the role straight away. The move proved invaluable, and Ray is thankful for it all, recognising the many things he learnt from his time on set.
"It just did me so much good, taught me so much that I've never regretted doing that."
This diversification led him into television drama, acting, hosting, and musicals, proving his versatility across various disciplines.
[block quote] There were areas I absolutely loved: Television drama, film, musical comedy on stage…I thoroughly enjoyed all that work. And it was good to diversify, and of course, it kept me in the business.
As Mark pointed out, it was Ray’s breadth of involvement - including hosting his own ‘Ray Woolf Show’ that solidified his status as a household name and earned him the title of New Zealand’s Entertainer of the Year for several years in a row.
Despite his enduring presence, Woolf candidly discussed the gradual decline in his work as he aged. "It was a very slow decline," he admitted, noting that "over the last, I guess, 15 years, it slowly, slowly declined from the kind of work that I used to get.”
He now dedicates more of his time to family, gardening, and following his grandchildren's football pursuits, while still performing gigs, particularly for the Prostate Cancer Foundation as an ambassador.
As he shares with Mark, “This is the start of Blue September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month… I’ve been an ambassador since 2011/2012 when I got prostate cancer.” he continued, “Every month, I used to go out and ride motorbikes for bikers in blue, but getting a bit old for that now, so I'm doing a couple of shows this month.”
His commitment to health advocacy stems from both his personal experience being diagnosed with diabetes 40 years ago and prostate cancer. For the latter, he stresses the importance of early detection.
“If you get it early, you get to live. If you get it late, chances of that happening are slimmer and slimmer and slimmer."
Reflecting on his autobiography, Ray expressed his own shock at the sheer volume of his work. "The amount I'd done was a big surprise," he revealed, acknowledging that "a lot of people who read the book said the same thing to me... 'Man, I didn't realise you've done so much.'”
When asked how he'd like to be remembered, Ray’s answer was humble and heartfelt, "Somebody that brought a bit of joy into people's lives, you know, one way or another."
His continued presence and willingness to share his story certainly fulfil that wish, making New Zealand "a richer place," as Mark aptly concluded.
Tune in to Magic Breakfast Tuesdays at 8 am, or listen on demand HERE, to catch up with more NZ stars of the past and see what they’re up to now.
