We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Profile image for Ross Jolly

Ross Jolly

Actor

Alongside a busy theatre career as actor and director, Ross Jolly has screen credits spanning five decades. One screen role stands out: likeable joker John, in hit office comedy Gliding On. Jolly first played John when Roger Hall's play Glide Time debuted in Wellington in 1976. Five seasons of the sitcom followed, plus 1998 sequel TV Market Forces. His other TV roles include early race relations drama Against the Lights, John Clarke comedy The Wonderful World of... and fantasies Cuckoo Land and Worzel Gummidge Down Under. He was also one of the writers behind A Lawful Excuse, an episode of pioneering 1970s drama Winners & Losers.  

Behind the scenes panic, clothes flying in all directions. On the set supposed professional calm ... two versions so any enormous gaffe can be edited out. Another nerve-wracking 30 minutes, laughs in different places, different things going awry... Ross Jolly on making an early episode of Gliding On, The Listener, 29 August 1981

Thumbnail image for RNZ Interview: Gliding On - Susan Wilson & Ross Jolly
Interview

RNZ Interview: Gliding On - Susan Wilson & Ross Jolly

Interview, 2022

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Until Proven Innocent

Until Proven Innocent

2009, As: Sunday Star-Times Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for Who Laughs Last?

Who Laughs Last?

2006, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Tiger Country

Tiger Country

1998, As: Ken Howard - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy

Letter to Blanchy

1995 - 1997, As: Ron - Television

Thumbnail image for Fallout

Fallout

1994, As: Brian MacDonell - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

1994, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Bread and Roses

Bread and Roses

1993, As: Dr Speedie (visiting medical inspector) - Television

Thumbnail image for Sunday (magazine show)

Sunday (magazine show)

1991 - 1994, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Meet the Feebles

Meet the Feebles

1990, As: Various voices - Film

Thumbnail image for Don't Tell Me

Don't Tell Me

1989, Writer, Performer - Television

Thumbnail image for Don't Tell Me - First Episode

Don't Tell Me - First Episode

1989, Writer, Performer - Television

Thumbnail image for Public Eye

Public Eye

1988 - 1989, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Heart of the High Country

Heart of the High Country

1985, As: Mine Foreman - Television

Thumbnail image for Cuckoo Land

Cuckoo Land

1985, As: Dr What's It - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - The Work Experience Scheme (Series Five, Episode Two)

Gliding On - The Work Experience Scheme (Series Five, Episode Two)

1985, As: John - Television

Thumbnail image for Mr Wrong

Mr Wrong

1985, As: Neighbour - Film

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - Mastermind (Series Four, Episode Five)

Gliding On - Mastermind (Series Four, Episode Five)

1984, As: John - Television

Thumbnail image for Battletruck

Battletruck

1982, As: Shotgun - Film

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - Press for Service

Loose Enz - Press for Service

1982, As: Coe - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

1982, As: Reverend Trouser - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On

Gliding On

1981 - 1985, As: John - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - No Smoke Without Fire (First Episode)

Gliding On - No Smoke Without Fire (First Episode)

1981, As: John - Television

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - Special

Lynn of Tawa - Special

1980, Writer, As: Reverend Brian Trouser, Taxi Driver, Policeman - Television

Thumbnail image for The Les Deverett Variety Hour - Episode

The Les Deverett Variety Hour - Episode

1978, Writer, As: Traffic cop, Taxi driver, Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Against the Lights

Against the Lights

1978, As: The taxi driver (the complainant) - Television

Thumbnail image for The Les Deverett Variety Hour

The Les Deverett Variety Hour

1978, As: Various roles, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Hunter's Gold

Hunter's Gold

1976, As: The Hatter - Television

Thumbnail image for Winners & Losers: A Lawful Excuse

Winners & Losers: A Lawful Excuse

1976, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Wonderful World of...

The Wonderful World of...

1975, Writer, As: Kel Isthennix, Brian Edwards, various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Phone

Phone

1974, As: Bryan Foote - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Hunt's Duffer

Hunt's Duffer

1973, As: Findlay - Television