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Rodger That!

By Matt Myers · On August 2018

One of the great pleasures about working in this business is seeing various careers develop. Even more interesting, is watching the personal journeys unfold.

Amidst the many burgeoning showbiz careers has been Rodger Corser, star of Glitch and Doctor Doctor. He’s also been in The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Puberty Blues, Paper Giants, Rush, Spirited, Underbelly, Home and Away, McLeod’s Daughters, Stingers and Water Rats, to name but a few!

I first met Rodger back in 1999 – last century! Like many of my era, I was somewhat obsessed with Jonathan Larson’s musical RENT. It was the Hair of my generation, and for those within that proscenium ‘fourth wall’, it’s an immersive and emotional journey as it follows a bunch of homeless New York squatters in the early days of AIDS.

As a young entertainment journalist, I certainly couldn’t pass up the opportunity to interview RENT’s leading man – Rodger Corser. This was his first theatrical gig and one of my first theatrical interviews, and our combined fresh innocence led to an instant rapport.

One thing I can’t forget was how at interview’s end, Rodger not only signed my program, but insisted on gathering all the other cast members signatures as well. Could it be that this young actor was just as excited and chuffed to be interviewed, as I was to be holding the microphone?

Cut to 2005 where Rodger was headlining a brand new television series called Last Man Standing. It was a kind of Sex and the City for Aussie blokes. By this time I had started writing for DNA Magazine with my monthly ‘Straight Mate’ feature, and an interview opportunity arose again. This time we spoke by phone, which is not quite the same as in person, but it was great to chat and see how much he had progressed. This also made me reflect on my own life, having since studied, travelled overseas and joined the Victorian Government as a ministerial speechwriter.

Jump forward again to the present where Rodger now stars in the successful series Doctor, Doctor and a trifecta interview took me to the production film set in Lilyfield, Sydney. I was looking forward to our reunion and when the publicist told me the feeling from Rodger was mutual, it felt like seeing an old friend. And it was.

We discussed the show’s success, his role and life in the entertainment industry, but we were in fact, also catching up on where life had taken us. Rodger now had four children, his childhood Doncaster house was up for auction and his past RENT cast member Mark Richard Ford had passed away.

I myself, had now become a senior government communications advisor, joined a commemorative WWI Light Horse troop and established myself in the entertainment industry as ‘The Celebrity Whisperer’ – complete with this website.

In some ways, this was like that famed British documentary series Seven Up, where the lives of 14 children have been documented every seven years, for just on half a century. Somewhat akin to the participants of that show, I’ve realised that we can all look back and see that our lives, regardless of the big or small things, are really one big adventure. It was John Lennon who said “Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans”.

The point is, whether you’re a carpenter, lawyer, barista, doctor, actor or journalist, we’re all on the same journey through life, and while reflecting and comparing notes is by no means a measure, it is definitely a realisation of our growth and life lessons in the human experience.

So well done to that young man from Doncaster who went from singing in pub bands to over 27 television and movie roles – and a gold Logie nomination to boot. I should also mention his support to our #YES campaign for Australian marriage equality.

And well done to myself for achieving my own successes – often by overcoming adversity. Who would have thought I’d be hanging out with celebrities, politicians and riding a horse in the ANZAC Day parade.

We all have to reflect and pat ourselves on the back once in awhile, and if you haven’t done it, do it now. Check in with an old acquaintance, reminisce and realise that you’ve made a difference in the world, to others and especially to yourself. Right now could be your very own Seven Up episode!

Rodger handing out his marriage equality #YES support