After portraying the show’s most enduring character, Alf Stewart, Ray Meagher now stands at the center of Home and Away.
Many question if he’ll stay on the soap opera as he celebrated 35 years on the show in 2023.
Outside of the program, he has been married for about 14 years and believes that his wife saved his life.
How old is Ray and where is he from?
Ray, who is currently 79 years old, was born on July 4, 1944. He was raised on a sheep and cattle station and is originally from Roma in Queensland.
Later, when he was nine years old, he went to boarding school on the Gold Coast, where he participated in rugby among other sports.
Who is Ray’s wife?
Prior to being married in a secret ceremony in 2010, Ray and his former nurse wife Gilly dated for six years.
The serial star disclosed that since they had both been married before, they didn’t want to create a big deal out of it.
Ray clarified that Gilly dislikes being in the spotlight and doesn’t often go out with her spouse because she doesn’t want him to worry about her when they are at award shows.
Does Ray have children?
No, Ray is not the parent of any kids. He clarified that he couldn’t think about finding someone else when he was younger and working as a freelance actor since he was worried about when he would be able to feed.
He described his line of work as a “funny old profession,” saying that it was “precarious” because you never knew when you would have a job again.
But Ray does have a stepdaughter named Rebecca from a prior relationship with his wife Gilly.
Rebecca, who is in her 40s, enjoys talking on the phone at least once a week and getting together for dinner occasionally.
Health
Early in 2019, Ray’s doctors discovered three significant blockages in his coronary artery, prompting a triple-bypass procedure.
He had another surgery after experiencing a “tickle” in his chest during a walk seven months later.
Ray believes that his wife, a former nurse, saved his life and aided in his recuperation.
He referred to her as a “life-saver” since she changed his lifestyle and kept him healthy.
Retiring from Home and Away
Ray has acknowledged that he intends to depart Home and Away in the future.
In 2022, he stated to Inside Soap, “More than 90% of the time, I love it here.” And people play a big part in all of that.
“That’s in large part because to the crew, who are outstanding. It’s similar like moving to a new family every day for work and leaving the first one behind. As for a direct response, I’ll get to it someday. When, though? Who knows?
He further stated that he inked a five-year deal with the soap opera last year.
“I signed a five-year contract last year,” he said to The Sun. “Well, I’ll definitely follow up on that.”