From Kingswood Country to The Slap, and beyond - the warm, funny and surprising life of one of Australia's much-loved actors and broadcasters.

In his early years on TV he was the 'wog' who was always being told to 'Leave the money on the fridge' by Ted Bullpitt in Kingswood Country. And ultimately he became the majestic patriarch, Manolis, in The Slap.

Between times, he attended the birth of Triple J, ran the rugby league touchlines for ABC Sport, was a panellist on Andrew Denton's Live & Sweaty, offered drolleries on Strictly Dancing and directed one of the segments at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, as well as appearing in umpteen films and plays.

Blood and Circuses is the wry and charming story of a young Greek Australian boy, whose family ran a cafe in Wagga Wagga in the 1950s and who dreamt of making his life in the theatre. It is a vivid account of a life lived to the full, beautifully written by a much-loved Australian.