Thomas Richards (born 22 March 1948) is an Australian former actor on television soap operas. He is best known for roles including in Matlock Police as Steve York from 1973 and 1976 and in the 1980s soap opera Sons and Daughters as David Palmer from 1982 until 1987, opposite co-star Leila Hayes.
Tom's family lived in Margate and he attended Humpybong School in Redcliffe, where he joined the Mousetrap theatre.
Richards began his acting career at Twelfth Night Theatre in Brisbane. One of his roles was in The Rose and the Ring in 1971. He later moved to Melbourne where he began work in television. Richards played guest roles in Crawford Production series Homicide, Division 4 and Ryan, before gaining the permanent role of in Network Ten police drama Matlock Police in the 1970s as Detective Steve York. After that series was cancelled he had a regular role in soap opera The Box during its final year in 1977, before joining Sons and Daughters.
He played Lawrie Benson in Network Ten soap opera Richmond Hill for most of its 12-month run in 1988. Richards also had guest roles in many popular TV series including Chopper Squad, The Young Doctors, The Sullivans (in episode 194 in 1977), The Flying Doctors, and A Country Practice, Pacific Drive, Water Rats and All Saints.
He appeared in Home and Away's first season in 1988 as Graham Ridge, and played a more prominent role as Murdock "Mud" Roberts in 1995.
In 2009 he appeared as Mitch in the Sydney Theatre Company's acclaimed production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Tom Richards is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: