Adams, Phillip (1939-…), is one of Australia’s best-known broadcasters, filmmakers, and social commentators. He has played an influential role in the Australian communications media and arts industry since the 1970’s.
Adams hosts the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Late Night Live” radio program, in which he interviews guests from Australia and around the world. His program addresses such issues as politics, philosophy, religion, history, international news, and social and cultural concerns.
Adams was influential in establishing the modern Australian motion-picture industry. Adams was chairman of the Film, Radio and Television Board during the 1970’s and the Australian Film Commission during the 1980’s. He produced several socially critical films about Australia, including The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972), Don’s Party (1976), and The Getting of Wisdom (1977). In the early 1980’s, he received the Raymond Longford Award, the Australian film industry’s highest honor. His films have also won several other Australian awards and two international gold medals.
Adams has written columns for newspapers and magazines, such as The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Bulletin, the London Financial Times, and The New York Times. His views are often controversial. Adams has also written many books, several on controversial subjects. They include The Unspeakable Adams (1977), Adams Versus God (1985), The Big Questions (with Paul Davies, 1996), and Talkback: Emperors of the Air (with Lee Burton, 1997).
Adams is a strong supporter of the arts in Australia. He was a founding member of the Australia Council, Australia’s principal government funding and advisory body for the arts. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. In 1987, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the arts. The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity. Adams was made an Officer of the Order, a higher level in the Order, in 1992. Phillip Andrew Hedley Adams was born in Maryborough, Victoria.
