View source for Steve Vizard

{{Short description|Australian businessman and television personality (born 1956)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{POV|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Steve Vizard
| image         = Steve Vizard & Nick Smith GQ 2011.jpg
| alt           =
| caption       = Vizard (left) with ''[[GQ]]'' editor Nick Smith in 2011
| birth_name    = Stephen William Vizard
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1956|3|6|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Richmond, Victoria]], Australia
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| nationality   = Australian
| other_names   =
| occupation    = {{hlist|Television presenter||radio presenter|comedian|screenwriter|author|producer|lawyer}}
| years_active  = 1976−present
| known_for     =
| notable_works =
| spouse        = Sarah Jane Wilmoth
| parents       = {{unbulleted list|Godfrey Lancelot Pitt Vizard|June Elizabeth Purtell}}
| children      = 5
}}
'''Stephen William Vizard''' (born 6 March 1956) is an Australian television and radio presenter, producer, writer, lawyer and businessman. He is an adjunct professor at [[Monash University]] and [[University of Adelaide]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/jmcoetzeecentre/people/title-holders-affiliates|title = Adjuncts and Affiliates &#124; the J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice &#124; University of Adelaide}}</ref>

Vizard has written for and produced various [[Logie Award|Logie]] and [[Australian Film Institute|AFI]] award-winning television shows – from ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]'' to Kangaroo Palace; he has hosted his own five night a week national tonight show, ''[[Tonight Live with Steve Vizard]]'' for which he was three times nominated for and won a Gold Logie in 1991. He has broadcast on the [[Austereo]], [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]] and [[Nine Radio|Macquarie]] radio networks and in 2011 was nominated for best Talkback Presenter in Australia; he has written several books ranging on topics ranging from humour to Australia's population policy; and has written works for theatre including ''The Last Man Standing'', the [[Melbourne Theatre Company]]'s commemorative Gallipoli production in 2015.

Vizard founded one of Australia's largest independent production houses, [[Artist Services]], which was subsequently sold to [[Granada plc|Granada]]; he has been the president of the [[National Gallery of Victoria]] and the chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company, securing events such as the World Cycling Championships and the World Gymnastics Championships; he has appeared on the cover of ''Time'' and ''Rolling Stone''; he was an elected representative to the [[1998 Australian Constitutional Convention]]; he was [[Australian Father of the Year award|Father of the Year]] in 2001.

Vizard was embroiled in three highly publicised legal proceedings, involving the theft of moneys by his former accountant from the Vizard Companies, and Vizard's [[civil penalty|civil penalties]] in 2005 for breaching directors' duties.

==Early life==
Vizard was born in [[Melbourne]], Australia, on 6 March 1956, the son of Godfrey Lancelot Pitt Vizard and June Purtell. He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of [[Hawthorn, Victoria|Hawthorn]] and was educated at [[Hawthorn West Primary School]] and [[Carey Baptist Grammar School]].<ref name="backtofuture">{{cite news|title=Back to the future |url=https://www.theage.com.au/education/back-to-the-future-20040517-gdxv5j.html|newspaper=[[The Age]]|access-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918041224/https://www.theage.com.au/education/back-to-the-future-20040517-gdxv5j.html |archive-date=18 September 2024 |date=17 May 2004}}</ref><ref name="profile">{{cite news |first=Steve|last=Vizard|title=What I've learnt |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/what-ive-learnt-20030823-gdw88r.html|access-date=22 April 2025|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=23 August 2003 |location=Melbourne}}</ref> His father, Godfrey, had been a patrol officer in [[Papua New Guinea]] in the early 1950s and had been involved in exploring and mapping the uncharted Gulf region around [[Kerema]], including making first contact with native [[Kukukuku]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pngaa.net/Vale/vale_mar94.htm#Vizard |title=Vale, March 1994 |publisher=PNGAA |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> As a teenager, Vizard was raised on a bush property in the semi-rural suburb of [[Warrandyte]].<ref name="profile" />

After finishing high school in 1973, Vizard won a scholarship to study law and arts (philosophy), at the [[University of Melbourne]], where he resided at [[Whitley College]] and later [[St Mary's College (University of Melbourne)|St Mary's College]], and graduated in 1980.<ref name="profile"/> From 1981 to 1986, he practised law as a partner in a Melbourne law firm<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/d025c300601da9dc4a25688e00143d49/5c84bbe6b0d8f4f84a256a2200811eb4!OpenDocument |title=Victorian legislation |access-date=2012-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011060716/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/d025c300601da9dc4a25688e00143d49/5c84bbe6b0d8f4f84a256a2200811eb4!OpenDocument |archive-date=11 October 2009}}</ref> and until 1988 worked as an international commercial negotiator for multinational [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|RTZ (Rio Tinto Zinc)]], mainly in Britain and Germany.<ref name="timeline">{{cite news |author=Staff writers |title=The life and times of Steve Vizard |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-life-and-times-of-steve-vizard/2005/07/15/1121422838420.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=23 August 2003 |location=Melbourne}}</ref>

==Performing==
In 1976, while at Melbourne University, Vizard appeared in the Archi (Architects') Revue<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.must.unimelb.edu.au/?p=8004 |title=Archi Revue |publisher=Melbourne University Student Theatre Archive |date=1976-07-28 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> and the following year he and fellow university students established, wrote and produced the university's inaugural Le Law Revue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://must.unimelb.edu.au/?p=10100 |title=Le Law Revue |publisher=Melbourne University Student Theatre Archive |date=1977-07-19 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> After being spotted in the revue, Vizard wrote material for the inner Melbourne comedy scene. Between 1976 and 1982, while still studying at Melbourne University, Vizard wrote and performed in over a dozen productions, working at such theatres and cabarets as The Last Laugh and the Flying Trapeze with a variety of local performers including [[Rod Quantock]], [[Wendy Harmer]], [[Glenn Robbins]], [[Peter Moon (comedian)|Peter Moon]] and [[Paul Grabowsky]],<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/profile-paul-grabowsky-20110823-1j77m.html | work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=24 August 2011 | title=Profile: Paul Grabowsky}}</ref> who would later work with Vizard as the band leader on his ''Tonight Live'' show.

From 1979 to 1985, Vizard was the voice-over man for the racing show ''[[Punter to Punter]]'', starring [[Trevor Marmalade]], Dr Turf and Con Marasco ([[Tony Rickards]]), on community radio station [[Triple R]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/04/1075853933583.html | location=Melbourne |newspaper=[[The Age]]| title=Riding the wild waves | date=5 February 2004}}</ref>

In 1985 Vizard co-wrote and produced a feature film, ''[[The Bit Part]]'', starring [[Nicole Kidman]], for which he was nominated for a [[AWGIE Awards|Writers' Guild award]] for Best Feature Film Screenplay.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In 1987 he was the head writer and a performer on a television sketch comedy show, ''The Eleventh Hour'', which kick-started the television careers of Vizard, [[Mary-Anne Fahey]], [[Mark Mitchell (actor)|Mark Mitchell]], [[Glenn Robbins]], [[Ian McFadyen]] and [[Peter Moon (comedian)|Peter Moon]].<ref name="google1">{{harvnb|Bedwell|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=mcuN_T1ptCsC&q=MSO+vizard+carnival+of+the+animals&pg=PA269 269]}}</ref> In 1987, Vizard performed in the first [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]], launched by Peter Cook, and was one of the hosts of the Comedy Festival Gala in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2011/season/25-years/ |title=25 Years of Laughs &#124; Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2011 |access-date=2011-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412060510/http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2011/season/25-years |archive-date=12 April 2011}}</ref>

In 1989, Vizard established, wrote and produced the primetime sketch comedy series ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]''.<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au" /> The series was Australia's highest rating comedy series. ''Fast Forward'', and its successor programme, ''[[Full Frontal (Australian TV series)|Full Frontal]]'', ran for 10 years and won multiple Logie Awards. Vizard's characters on ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]'' included advertising guru Brent Smyth (with Peter Moon), Darryl (the gay airline steward, with Michael Veitch), "Fakari" rug salesman Roger Ramshett (with Peter Moon), and newsreaders Dirk Hartog. He also performed impersonations, most notably of [[Derryn Hinch]], [[Richard Carleton]], [[Don Lane]], [[Ian Turpie]], [[George Donikian]], [[Geoffrey Robertson]] and even [[Gough Whitlam]] in one instance.<ref name="profiletalent.com.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.profiletalent.com.au/talent/steve-vizard/|title=Steve Vizard – profile|publisher=Profile Talent Management |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref>

Between 1990 and 1993 Vizard hosted his own high rating nightly national talk show, ''[[Tonight Live with Steve Vizard]]''. He interviewed over a thousand guests, from entertainment legends including [[Bob Hope]], [[Audrey Hepburn]], [[Mickey Rooney]], and [[Kirk Douglas]], to musical stars including [[Phil Collins]], [[Bob Geldof]], [[Peter Allen (musician)|Peter Allen]], [[Quincy Jones]] and [[B. B. King]], to writers and filmmakers such as [[Jeffrey Archer]], [[Edward de Bono]], [[Robert Ludlum]], Sir [[Peter Ustinov]] and [[Oliver Stone]], to comedians such as [[Spike Milligan]], Sir [[Harry Secombe]], [[Phyllis Diller]], [[Spinal Tap (band)|Spinal Tap]], [[Robin Williams]] to Prime Ministers and public leaders.<ref name="profiletalent.com.au"/>

By 1994, when he retired from on-air roles, Vizard had been nominated for a [[Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television|Gold Logie]] as Australia's most popular television performer on four occasions, winning in 1991. He had also won three further [[Logie Awards]] as Australia's most Popular Television Presenter as well as four Television Society Awards, a [[Variety Club]] for Best Comedy Artiste and a ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine award for Best Television Performer.<ref name="profiletalent.com.au"/>

Vizard hosted many awards nights and concerts including the 1992 Logie Awards, the Bali Bombing Memorial Concert and the 1995 nationally televised 50th Anniversary of the End of World War Two Concert. During Vizard's hosting of the [[1994 Australian Film Institute Awards]], he joked about Australian screen legend [[Bill Hunter (actor)|Bill Hunter]], who had appeared in several nominated movies that year, "each and every nominated film must feature Bill Hunter. This is a pro-rata rule ... Short films may enter into a Bill Hunter-sharing arrangement."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/charismatic-wild-man-of-cinema/story-e6frg6z6-1226060618589 | work=[[The Australian]]| title=Charismatic wild man of cinema | date=23 May 2011}}</ref>

In 1998 Vizard performed with the [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]], narrating Saint-Saëns' ''[[The Carnival of the Animals]]''.<ref name="google1"/>

At the 2006 [[Logie Awards]], Vizard appeared with long-time collaborator [[Michael Veitch]] in a sketch that reprised one of their most famous roles, that of two camp, bitchy airline stewards.

Since 2009, Vizard has appeared as a regular on various television shows including Tens ''[[Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation]]'', Nine's ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today Show]]'' and ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''. Vizard has also appeared in a regular role in [[Mick Molloy]]'s Foxtel comedy series, ''[[The Jesters (TV series)|The Jesters]]''.<ref>[http://www.mnc.tv/thejesters The Jesters] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123041923/http://mnc.tv/thejesters |date=23 January 2011 }}</ref>

In July 2011, Vizard appeared in the television movie ''[[Beaconsfield (film)|Beaconsfield]]'', playing the late [[60 Minutes (Australian TV program)|60 Minutes]] reporter [[Richard Carleton]] in the drama about the [[Beaconsfield Mine collapse]] in [[Tasmania]] and the rescue of miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb 14 days later.<ref>{{cite web| title=Steve Vizard to play the late Richard Carleton in Beaconsfield series |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/steve-vizard-to-play-the-late-richard-carleton-in-beaconsfield-drama/story-e6frf96o-1226085943684 |last=Byrne |first=Fiona |date=1 July 2011 |website=[[Herald Sun]]|publisher=Herald Sun |access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref>

In 2010, Vizard was nominated for a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contribution to the Film & Television Industry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox |first=David |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/10/if-awards-shortlist-industry-achievers.html |title=IF Awards shortlist industry achievers |website=TV Tonight |date=2010-10-12 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

From 2010 he has appeared as a regular weekly panelist on [[Network 10|Channel Ten's]] prime time [[The Project (Australian TV program)|''7PM Project'' and ''The Project'']] and has filled in for one of the shows hosts, [[Dave Hughes]].{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} He was a panelist and interviewer on the ''7PM Project''{{'s}} controversial interview with St Kilda sex scandal schoolgirl Kim in which the interviewers were clearly sceptical about her attempts to withdraw her previous allegations—the show aired her post-interview confession that she had just lied to them.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burrowes |first=Tim |url=http://mumbrella.com.au/kim-duthie-interview-takes-7pm-project-to-923000-48788 |title=Kim Duthie Interview |publisher=[[Mumbrella]]|date=2011-06-10 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

In 2013, 2014 and 2015 Vizard appeared as a regular "Agony Uncle" in the ABC's primetime series [[The Agony of...|''The Agony of Christmas'', ''The Agony of Modern Manners'' and ''The Agony'']].<ref name="smh.com.au">{{cite news|author=Entertainment |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/fast-forwards-steve-vizard-returns-to-screens-albeit-in-agony-20140326-35ibm.html |title=Fast Forward's Steve Vizard returns to screens, albeit in Agony |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2014-03-27 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> He was the one of lead actors in the 2014 award-winning Tropfest film ''Granny Smith''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tropfest.com/au/films/2014-finalists/granny-smith/ |title=Granny Smith |publisher=Tropfest.com |access-date=2017-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917200657/http://tropfest.com/au/films/2014-finalists/granny-smith |archive-date=17 September 2016}}</ref> and was a contributor to the ABC documentart about the history of Australian comedy, ''[[Stop Laughing...This Is Serious]]''.

In 2022 he performed in a celebrity tribute to Australian comedian and actor [[Paul Hogan]], ''Roast of Paul Hogan'', which was broadcast on Australia's [[Seven Network]].

==Film and television production==
In 1989 Vizard established the independent production company [[Artist Services]]<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> with his fellow writer and producer, [[Andrew Knight (writer)|Andrew Knight]]. From 1989 to 2002 when Vizard retired as chairman, Artist Services grew to one of the three largest production companies in Australia.<ref name="google2">{{harvnb|Bedwell|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=mcuN_T1ptCsC&q=vizard+artist+services&pg=PA174 174]}}</ref>

During that time Vizard and Knight acted as Executive Producers of over 1,400 hours of prime time television shows<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> including several series of ABC drama series ''[[SeaChange]]'' and several award-winning mini series such as ''[[Kangaroo Palace]]''. He was the Executive Producer of ''[[Big Girl's Blouse]]'' starring [[Jane Turner]], [[Gina Riley]], [[Magda Szubanski]] and [[Marg Downey]], which created and first showcased the popular comedic characters ''[[Kath & Kim]]''.<ref name="smh.com.au"/><ref name="google2"/>

In 1996, Vizard's Artist Services founded and owned with [[Foxtel]], the comedy channel.<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> During Vizard's chairmanship, the comedy channel produced and broadcast over 80 hours each year of original Australian programming, commissioning emerging writers and performers including ''This Is Gary Petty'' (starring [[Brian Nankervis]], Francis Greenslade, Matt Cameron); ''Off Road'' (starring Lawrence Mooney); ''The Fifty Foot Show'' (starring [[Paul Fenech]] and [[Kitty Flanagan]]); ''Home and Hosed'' (starring [[Shane Bourne]], [[Bob Franklin (comedian)|Bob Franklin]] and [[Ross Daniels (actor)|Ross Daniels]]); ''Small Tales and True'' ([[Roz Hammond]] and [[Robyn Butler]]). Vizard remained Chairman of ''the comedy channel'' until 2001.<ref name="smh.com.au"/>

As executive producer, Artist Services shows have been distributed internationally and received numerous awards including over 20 Logies, a dozen [[Australian Film Institute Awards|AFI]], Writers Guild and Television Society awards and an [[International Emmy]] nomination.<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> Together with Knight, Vizard developed and was the executive producer of several feature films, including ''[[The Sound of One Hand Clapping (film)|The Sound of One Hand Clapping]]'' (based on the award-winning novel by [[Richard Flanagan]]) and ''[[Dead Letter Office (film)|Dead Letter Office]]'' (starring [[Miranda Otto|Miranda]] and [[Barry Otto|Barry]] Otto).<ref name="google2"/>

In 1995, Vizard sold half of the shares in his company Artist Services to [[Fairfax Media|John Fairfax Holdings]] for a reported sum of A$9 million (1995).<ref name="timeline"/> In 2000 Vizard sold his remaining 50% shares in Artist Services to UK based media company [[Granada plc|Granada]] for a reputed $25 million.<ref name="aes">{{cite web |url=http://www.austentertainmentservices.com.au/act.php?id=95 |title=Steve Vizard |access-date=10 July 2007 |author=Australian Entertainment Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901231819/http://www.austentertainmentservices.com.au/act.php?id=95 |archive-date=1 September 2007}}</ref> Vizard remained as chairman until 2002 when he resigned to spend more time on other business and creative interests.

Since 2002, Vizard has been involved in advising emerging Australian talent. He was a consultant to Network Tens comedy show, ''[[The Wedge (Australian TV series)|The Wedge]]'',<ref>Network Ten. "Meet the creators behind Wedgedale, The Wedge". {{cite web |url=http://www.thewedge.com.au/behind.htm |title=The Wedge |access-date=2007-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710175733/http://www.thewedge.com.au/behind.htm |archive-date=10 July 2007}}. Retrieved 2007-07-10.</ref><ref>Steve Vizard at the Internet Movie Database</ref> casting and working with [[Rebel Wilson]], [[Jason Gann]], [[Adam Zwar]].<ref name="smh.com.au"/>

From 2003 he has been a consultant to one of Australia's largest talent management companies, Profile Talent, whose clients include [[Hamish & Andy]], [[Dannii Minogue]], [[Matt Preston]], [[Andrew O'Keefe]] and [[Sonia Kruger]].

In 2010, Vizard executive produced a reality series about [[Dannii Minogue]], ''Dannii Minogue: Style Queen'', which was co-produced with ITV and broadcast in the UK on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] and in Australia on Foxtel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/dannii-minogue-launches-style-queen-on-fox-8-115022.htm |title=Dannii Minogue launches Style Queen on FOX 8 – FOXTEL Insider – What's on – FOXTEL |access-date=2011-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102202247/http://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/dannii-minogue-launches-style-queen-on-fox-8-115022.htm |archive-date=2 January 2012}}</ref>

==Other contributions==
From 1990 to 2005, in addition to his on and off air roles with Artist Services, Vizard pursued a number of other business interests<ref name="timeline"/> and public service roles.

In 1996, was appointed a director of the telecommunications company [[Telstra]], a position he held until his decision to retire from 17 September 2000 and not stand for re-election to the board.<ref name="timeline"/><ref name="r1">{{cite web|url=http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/mediareleases_article.cfm?ObjectID=9381|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111106011521/http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/mediareleases_article.cfm?ObjectID=9381|archive-date=6 November 2011|title=Mansfield announces Telstra board changes|date=20 September 2000|access-date=12 June 2007|website=[[Telstra]]}}</ref>

As President of the [[Screen Producers Australia|Screen Producers Association of Australia]] from 1995 to 1997,<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> Vizard was an advocate for the establishment by the Australian Government of the ''Australian Commercial Television Production Fund'' to produce high quality Australian television drama telemovies and series. Vizard subsequently served on the Board of the ACTPF from 1995 to 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accidentlawyer.com.au/legal-news/2001/4/3/man-of-many-parts-moves-on/ |title=Accident Lawyer |publisher=Accident Lawyer |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

Vizard has been an advocate for promoting Australian-made content on Australian television, radio and media. In delivering his 1999 [[Andrew Olle Media Lecture]], Vizard advocated the need to maintain Australian quotas for all Australian commercial television networks as well as proposing that the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] should be more fully funded and should commission and broadcast exclusively Australian content.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vizard |first=Steve |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/1999/11/22/2255997.htm |title=1999 Andrew Olle Lecture – Steve Vizard |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2008-05-26 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

In 1998, Vizard was elected as a delegate for his home state of Victoria to the [[1998 Australian Constitutional Convention]]<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> in Canberra, representing the [[Australian Republic Movement]]. After the constitutional convention, Vizard wrote the book ''Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear Baiting and Backbiting at the Constitutional Convention''.<ref name="catalogue.nla.gov.au">{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2021435 |title=Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear-baiting and Backbiting at the Constitutional Convention|author=Steve Vizard|publisher=Penguin|year=1998 |via=[[National Library of Australia]]|isbn=9780140279832 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> The book became a best seller and was a prescribed text on the [[Higher School Certificate (New South Wales)|NSW HSC]] syllabus.

From 1998 to 2005, Vizard was the president of the Council of Trustees of the [[National Gallery of Victoria]].<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> Under Vizard's presidency, the gallery commenced and completed two extensive building programs: the $150 million renovation of the International Gallery to house the International collection; and the $400 million construction and opening of the new Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, the only major public art gallery in the world dedicated to Australian art.<ref name="theage2004">{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/26/1085461837601.html | location=Melbourne |newspaper=[[The Age]]| first=Raymond | last=Gill | title=Vizard to step down from NGV role | date=27 May 2004}}</ref>

From 2001 to 2005, Vizard was chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> which attracts major sporting, arts and cultural events to Victoria and Australia. During Vizard's chairmanship events won by VMEC for Australia included the World Cycling Championships, World Gymnastics Championships, World Cup Soccer Qualifiers, International Rugby Tests, the renewal of the [[Australian Grand Prix|Australian Formula One Grand Prix]], [[Superbike World Championship|World Superbike Championships]], [[World Aquatics Championships|World Swimming Championships]], [[Australian Fashion Week|Mercedes Australian Fashion Week]], and others.<ref name="theage2004" />

In February 2002 Vizard was the convenor with the Premier of Victoria of a National Population Summit<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> at which 50 of Australia's most prominent leaders spoke to over 1,000 delegates in a bipartisan debate about all aspects of Australia's population.<ref name="profile" /> The bipartisan resolutions from the Summit and the speeches were edited by Vizard and published by Penguin in ''Australia's Population Debate''.

Other organisations with which he has acted as a director or a trustee include [[Film Australia]],<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> [[Australian Children's Television Foundation]]<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> and the Transport Accident Corporation.<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/> From 1997 to 2005, Vizard served as a member of the committee of the [[Melbourne Cricket Club]].<ref name="legislation.vic.gov.au"/>

==Writing and publications==
In addition to writing for theatre, television and film, Vizard has written and edited several books, including a 2008 biography of [[Graham Kennedy]], ''Graham Kennedy Treasures: Friends Remember the King'' which he co-wrote with [[Mike McColl-Jones]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4363666 |title=Graham Kennedy Treasures: Friends Remember the King|author1=[[Mike McColl-Jones]]|author2=Steve Vizard|publisher=Melbourne University Publishing|year=2008|via=[[National Library of Australia]]|isbn=9780522855456 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> Other books include ''Best Australian Humorous Writing'' (with [[Andrew O'Keefe]], Melbourne University Press, 2008),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reviews.media-culture.org.au/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3175 |title=M/C Reviews – Humour: Showbag of the Best Australian Humorous Writing |access-date=2012-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412140606/http://reviews.media-culture.org.au/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3175 |archive-date=12 April 2011}}</ref> ''Australia's Population Challenge'' (with Hugh J. Martin and Tim Watts);<ref>{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2349528 |title=Australia's Population Challenge|editor1=Steve Vizard|editor2=Hugh J. Martin|editor3=Tim Watts|year=2003|publisher=Penguin|via=[[National Library of Australia]]|isbn=978-0143001133 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> ''Two Weeks in Lilliput'', an account of Vizard's experiences attending the 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention;<ref name="catalogue.nla.gov.au" /> and ''The Top Seven Lists from 'Tonight live with Steven Vizard{{'}}''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Vizard|first=Steve|title=The Top Seven Lists from 'Tonight live with Steven Vizard'|year=1992|publisher=[[Artist Services]]|isbn=1863301623}}</ref> In 2025, he published ''Nation, Memory, Myth: Gallipoli and the Australian Imaginary'', a [[critical theory]] investigation into the foundational myth of [[Gallipoli campaign|Gallipoli]].<ref>{{multiref|1={{cite book|last=Vizard|first=Steve|title=Nation, Memory, Myth: Gallipoli and the Australian Imaginary|publisher=Melbourne University Publishing|year=2025|isbn=9780522881271|ref=none}}|2={{cite news|last=Dapin|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Dapin|title=Australian identity: what can we take from the 'myth of Gallipoli'|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|department=Review|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/australian-identity-what-can-we-take-from-the-myth-of-gallipoli/news-story/e28ceef4c4b25ebe6cf146f5b16cfc7e|access-date=22 April 2025|url-access=subscription|date=19–20 April 2025|page=15|ref=none}}}}</ref>

Vizard's one man play ''Coles Funny Picture Person'', based on the life of the eccentric Victorian bookseller [[Edward William Cole]], was performed by [[Australian Film Institute|AFI]] award-winning actor [[Norman Kaye]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.must.unimelb.edu.au/?p=8034 |title=''Coles Funny Picture Person''|publisher=Melbourne University Student Theatre Archive |date=1980-04-29 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> Vizard wrote with composer [[Paul Grabowsky]] a theatre work with music, ''Last Man Standing'', for the [[Melbourne Theatre Company]] as their production for the Anzac and Gallipoli commemorations in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Melbourne Theatre Company]]|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-last-man-standing/ |title=The Last Man Standing|date=2015-12-12 |access-date=2017-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204122047/http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-last-man-standing |archive-date=4 December 2015}}</ref> Also with Grabowsky he wrote the song cycle ''The Space Between'' for soprano [[Emma Matthews]] in 2018.<ref>''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]'', September 2018, p. 22</ref>

Vizard has been the recipient of an [[Australia Council]] grant for Poetry and a University of Melbourne Writers Fellowship. He was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for Best Feature Film Screenplay in 1985; and won (as a co-writer) Writers Guild Awards for Best Comedy Television in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993.

==Legal proceedings==
{{Undue weight section|date=April 2025|to=events more about Hilliard and others; ASIC vs Vizard could be trimmed.}}
In the early 2000s, Vizard became involved in three separate legal proceedings, primarily related to the activities of the Vizard family's former [[bookkeeper]], Roy Hilliard. In 2001 the Vizard family reported to the police money missing from their family accounts, and Hilliard was subsequently charged with stealing and falsifying the accounts of the Vizard family companies, and in 2005 Hilliard was convicted of falsifying accounts. This led to Hilliard's conviction and sentence to three years jail.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007">{{harvnb|Bedwell|2007}}</ref>

In the second legal proceedings, Hilliard faced civil action related to the allegations of misappropriating money from the Vizard companies, with Vizard's bank [[Westpac]] commencing civil proceedings against Hilliard in 2001. Westpac had conducted an investigation of the fraud and paid out to Vizard's companies some of the money the bookkeeper had taken, and then sued the bookkeeper to recover some of the payout. Vizard was a witness in Westpac's action. In December 2006, the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]] found in favour of Westpac and ordered Hilliard to repay over $2 million in funds misappropriated from the Vizards to the bank, plus interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/business/items/200612/s1805950.htm |title=Westpac sues former Vizard bookkeeper |publisher=ABC |date=2006-12-06 |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref> The judge also rejected claims Hilliard had made against Vizard relating to the use of overseas tax havens and that Hilliard had returned the stolen moneys to Vizard.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007" /> In September 2009, an appeal by Hilliard against the judgement against him was rejected by the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria, which affirmed that Hilliard had misappropriated over $3 million from Vizard, rejected Hilliard's claims against Vizard, and ordered Hilliard to repay the missing moneys and costs.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007"/>

The third legal action involved Vizard directly and arose out of allegations made by Hilliard in 2003 at the criminal trial of his former bookkeeper. Hilliard alleged that Vizard had insider traded while a director of Telstra.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1440170.htm |title=Roy Hilliard recounts his version of the Vizard affair|access-date=12 June 2007|work=[[The 7.30 Report]]|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=17 August 2005}}{{deadlink|date=April 2025}}</ref> The [[Australian Securities and Investments Commission]] (ASIC) followed-up the allegations<ref name="asic2">{{cite web |url=http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byId/PMIDE8BC0E28A45B6EA8CA257034000E6BAF?opendocument |title=ASIC commences civil proceedings against Stephen Vizard|access-date=12 June 2007|publisher=[[Australian Securities and Investments Commission]]|date=4 July 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928000438/http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byId/PMIDE8BC0E28A45B6EA8CA257034000E6BAF?opendocument |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> with an 18-month investigation, including searching Vizard's home and office in December 2003.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007"/> ASIC then formally advised that it would not continue the investigation, as it had no evidence sufficient to prosecute Vizard for inside trading or any other crime.

On 28 July 2005, the [[Director of Public Prosecutions#Australia|Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions]] formally announced that they had no provable evidence to proceed with any criminal case against Vizard.<ref name="cdpp">{{cite web|url=http://www.cdpp.gov.au/Media/Releases/20050728mr.aspx |title=''Media Release: Stephen Vizard'' |access-date=12 June 2007 |author=Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions |date=28 July 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728031543/http://www.cdpp.gov.au/Media/Releases/20050728mr.aspx |archive-date=28 July 2007}}</ref> The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg QC along with ASIC Chairman [[Jeffrey Lucy|Jeff Lucy]] vigorously denied assertions by some sections of the media that they had "gone soft" on Vizard.<ref name="theage.com.au">{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/we-were-not-soft-on-vizard-asic/2005/07/06/1120329502124.html | location=Melbourne |newspaper=[[The Age]]| first1=Malcolm | last1=Maiden | first2=Ruth | last2=Williams | title=We were not soft on Vizard: ASIC | date=7 July 2005}}</ref> ASIC Chairman Lucy made clear to the Parliament in his report of 13 September 2005 that there had never been any provable criminal case against Vizard despite the most vigorous examination by ASIC, and that this lack of any criminal case against Vizard was a view shared by both ASIC and the Attorney General:
<blockquote>In this case, criminal charges were not pursued against Mr. Vizard because the DPP was not satisfied that there was admissible, substantial and reliable evidence of the offence and therefore there were not reasonable prospects of securing a conviction…Whilst this was a decision for the DPP, it was also consistent with senior counsel advice that ASIC had independently received ... When ASIC announced on 4 July that we were pursuing civil penalties against Mr. Vizard, there were some suggestions in the press that we had gone soft or that we had somehow been nobbled by government. I have unequivocally rejected those suggestions. They are entirely without foundation.</blockquote>

One of the key issues in the case was that the trades in question had not been made by Vizard, but instead by a company called CTI, of which Vizard's [[accountant]] Gregory Lay was the sole shareholder and director.<ref name="cdpp"/> A Vizard family company lent CTI money to invest and had an agreement to receive back proceeds (less a management fee).<ref name="cdpp"/> Lay gave detailed statements to ASIC but none which supported any case against Vizard nor connected Vizard to the trades Lay had made.

Separately, later in 2005 ASIC said it would commence civil proceedings against Vizard for breaching his director's duties on three occasions by engaging in insider trading.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ramsay|first=Ian|author-link=Ian Ramsay|title=Steve Vizard, Insider Trading and Directors' Duties|url=https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1709905/90-Steve_Vizard__insider_trading_and_directors__duties1.pdf|journal=Australian Corporate News|issn=1320-9434|volume=15|year=2005|via=[[Melbourne Law School]]}}</ref> ASIC's case was that Vizard had breached sections 183 and 232 of the ''[[Corporations Act 2001]]'' (C'th).<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007"/> Vizard and ASIC settled the civil proceedings in 2005 on the basis that Vizard would not contest them, that ASIC made no allegations of dishonesty against Vizard, that a fine of $390,000 be imposed and Vizard agree to be disqualified from acting as a company director for between 3 and 5 years.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007" /> That settlement took the form of an "agreed statement of facts" jointly presented to the [[Federal Court of Australia|Federal Court]] by Vizard's and ASIC's lawyers, and Vizard agreeing the court should impose penalties for a breach of his duties as a director.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007" /> In his judgement handed down on 28 July 2005, Justice [[Raymond Finkelstein]] accepted that Vizard had breached sections 183 and 232 of the ''Corporations Act 2001'' (C'lth) through his activities.<ref name="judgment">{{cite web|url=https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2005/2005fca1037 |title=''ASIC v Vizard'' [2005] FCA 1037|publisher=[[Federal Court of Australia]]|date=2005-07-28 |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> ASIC proposed a $130,000 fine per offence and 5 years disqualification.<ref name="judgment"/> Justice Finkelstein disregarded the agreement reached between ASIC and Vizard and instead ordered a disqualification of 10 years.<ref name="judgment"/>

The head of ASIC, Jeff Lucy, conceded that there was never a criminal case, or any case involving dishonesty, against Vizard and that the media outrage was largely caused by ASIC's failure to properly communicate the full facts to the media.<ref name="theage.com.au"/>

{{cquote|The mistake we made with the Vizard communication was that we did not adequately address the reaction to what we were putting to the public by the media...Our investigation was thorough. We came to a view, which was of course based on the admissible evidence, that a criminal prosecution would not be successful. Having said that, there was no doubt that there was some quite significant media issues for ASIC and indeed myself as chairman. We were not as well prepared for those as we should have been, and because the matter was before the court, our opportunity to correct the record was very significantly reduced. The Vizard case provided a number of lessons for us, and hopefully we have dealt with our communications with the media a lot more effectively since. Jeff Lucy, ''[[The Age]]'', 14 May 2007.<ref name="theage.com.au"/>}}

==Philanthropic activities and awards==
In 1991, Vizard and his family founded the Vizard Foundation, which established Vizard House, a refuge for people in need.<ref name="timeline"/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://mh1.mh.org.au/patientsandvisitors/PDF/ACCOMMODATION_GUIDE.pdf| title = Accommodation Information for Country Patients, Relatives & Escorts| access-date = 12 June 2007| author = Melbourne Health| date =2 January 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070512083431/http://mh1.mh.org.au/patientsandvisitors/PDF/ACCOMMODATION_GUIDE.pdf |archive-date = 12 May 2007}}</ref>

Since its establishment in 1991, Vizard House has provided over 100,000-room nights free accommodation for needy people visiting inner Melbourne hospitals.<ref name="http">{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/11/1031608270930.html | location=Melbourne |newspaper=[[The Age]]| title=Charity continues at home for Vizard's kindly vision | date=12 September 2002}}</ref>

From 1992 to 2002, the Foundation worked with the [[Ian Potter Museum of Art]], University of Melbourne to support Australian artists. The collection of Australian art is permanently housed at the University of Melbourne.<ref name="vm.arts.unimelb.edu.au">University of Melbourne. [http://vm.arts.unimelb.edu.au/report/vizard.htm "Vizard Foundation – Collection of Antiquities"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805094540/http://vm.arts.unimelb.edu.au/report/vizard.htm |date=5 August 2007 }}. Retrieved 2007-06-12</ref> On 27 April 1994, the Vizard Foundation purchased 45 antiquities from an auction held by Christie's of London.<ref name="vm.arts.unimelb.edu.au"/> These items are on permanent loan to the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne.<ref name="vm.arts.unimelb.edu.au"/>

In 1991, Vizard purchased from Lord Alistair McAlpine the iconic Australian painting First Class Marksman by [[Sidney Nolan]], the only painting of the original 1945 Ned Kelly Series not owned and on public display in the [[National Gallery of Australia]]. Vizard donated the painting to the Vizard Foundation and the painting was on public display in the [[National Gallery of Victoria]]. In 2010, the Vizard Foundation sold the work for an Australian record of $5.4 million and committed the proceeds for charitable purposes, including indigenous scholarships.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sidney-nolans-marksman-hits-a-record-price/story-e6frg6nf-1225845528139 | first1=Michaela | last1=Boland | first2=James | last2=Madden | title=Sidney Nolan's marksman hits a record price | date=26 March 2010 | work=The Australian}}</ref>

In 1997, Vizard was a founding trustee with [[Walter Mikac]] of the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, to assist in education against violence to children.<ref name="Bedwell, S 2007"/>

In 1997, he was made a [[Member of the Order of Australia]], for service to the community, particularly through the Vizard Foundation, and to the arts.<ref>Government of Australia. [https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/872412 "Australian Honours Database, Steve William VIZARD"]. Retrieved 2007-07-10</ref> In 2008, three years after settling the civil legal proceedings with ASIC, Vizard voluntarily handed back his membership of the Order of Australia.<ref>Governor-General's acceptance of resignation</ref><ref>Vizard hands back Order of Australia, ''[[The Age]]'', 6 May 2008</ref>

In 2002, he received the [[Australian Father of the Year award]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.fatheroftheyear.com.au/content/view/15/41/| title=History of the Award, Australian Father of the Year| access-date = 10 July 2007| author=The Sheppard Centre|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070322193820/http://www.fatheroftheyear.com.au/content/view/15/41/ |archive-date = 22 March 2007}}</ref>

In 2004 Vizard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from [[Deakin University]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Education-News/Roll-out-the-honours/2005/06/10/1118347603957.html?from=moreStories | location=Melbourne |newspaper=[[The Age]] | first=Lisa | last=Mitchell | title=Roll out the honours | date=13 June 2005}}</ref>

{{as of|2023}} he is an adjunct professor at the [[J. M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice]] at the [[University of Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/jmcoetzeecentre/people/title-holders-affiliates#adjunct-professor-steve-vizard | title=Adjuncts and Affiliates |access-date=6 November 2023| website= The J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice| publisher= University of Adelaide}}</ref>

==Radio==
In February 2010, Vizard began a brief stint on Melbourne radio station [[Triple M Melbourne|Triple M]], filling in for [[Eddie McGuire]] who was in [[Vancouver]] covering the [[2010 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]].<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/how-a-boozy-lunch-turned-into-a-new-beginning-for-steve-vizard/story-e6frf7jo-1225834917332 How a boozy lunch turned into a new beginning for Steve Vizard]. Herald Sun (27 February 2010). Retrieved on 2011-05-17.</ref>

From March 2010 Vizard presented a daily Morning show on [[Nine Radio|Macquarie Radio Network]]'s [[Melbourne Talk Radio]] until the station's closure in March 2012. Vizard interviewed more than 1000 guests, including Academy Award-winning directors Peter Weir and [[Tom Hooper]], director of ''[[The King's Speech]]'', authors [[Jeffrey Archer]], Booker Prize-winning [[Thomas Keneally]], [[Jackie Collins]], [[Peter Carey (novelist)|Peter Carey]], [[Tim Flannery]], Grammy-nominated musicians [[Faith Hill]], [[Tim McGraw]], [[Josh Groban]], [[Chris Botti]], [[George Benson]], president of the World Bank [[James Wolfensohn]], [[Martin Short]], [[Christopher Hitchens]], [[Weird Al Yankovic]], Australian Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] and Professor [[Ross Garnaut]].<ref name="profiletalent.com.au" />

Vizard's radio program was responsible for breaking the Christmas Island asylum seekers boat crash tragedy in December 2010. Vizard conducted the first interviews with the schoolgirl at the centre of the [[St Kilda Football Club]] scandal and with David Galbally QC before the delivery of his report into the players' scandal; and covered the Chilean mine disaster and pursued the defrocking of convicted priests by the Catholic Church, on behalf of abused victims.<ref name="profiletalent.com.au" />

A number of comedians appeared as guests or regulars on his show including Charlie Pickering, Peter Helliar, Fiona O'Loughlin, Mick Molloy and regular contributors Glenn Robbins, Corinne Grant, George McEncroe, Andrew Goodone and [[Shaun Micallef]].<ref name="profiletalent.com.au" />

Vizard's radio show received 3 nominations at the 2011 [[Australian Commercial Radio Awards]] including Best Talk Presenter in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commercialradio.com.au/acras/current-1028.cfm |title=Australian Commercial Radio Awards: Current |access-date=2011-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117113429/http://www.commercialradio.com.au/acras/current-1028.cfm |archive-date=17 November 2011}}</ref>

From 2012 Vizard broadcast ''Afternoons'' as a fill in for Dennis Walter on [[3AW]].<ref name="smh.com.au"/>

==Personal life==

Vizard married Sarah Wilmoth in 1988 and they have five children.{{sfn|Bedwell|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=mcuN_T1ptCsC&q=sarah+vizard&pg=PA307 307]}}

In 2006 Vizard's Toorak mansion set a real estate record for Melbourne when it sold for $17.75 million after Vizard received an unsolicited knock on the door offering to buy the landmark home.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business-old/vizard-home-and-hosed-with-mansion-windfall/story-e6frg9gx-1111113631754 |newspaper=[[The Australian]]| title=Vizard home and hosed with mansion windfall | date=29 May 2007}}</ref>

Earlier in 2006, Vizard chased three burglars who had broken into his Orrong Road, [[Toorak, Victoria|Toorak]] mansion. Vizard was awakened at 3am by his 16-year-old daughter who had seen an intruder in her room, and Vizard pursued the intruders into the street in the nude{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} where he was nearly driven over by the getaway Alfa Romeo. The robber, Richard Lovett who had 93 prior convictions, was arrested later that day after becoming involved in a fight in which he stabbed a man in the chest, puncturing his lung, and was subsequently sentenced for the robbery to four years by the County Court of Victoria.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/vizard-mansion-thief-get-two-years/story-e6frf7kx-1111115112401 "Vizard Mansion Thief Get Two Years"] ''[[Herald Sun]]'', Melbourne {{dead link|date=May 2023}}</ref>

From 1990, Vizard and his family owned and ran the rural Western District station Roxby Park which they operated as a superfine wool Merino sheep stud. In 2002, Vizard sold Roxby Park to South Australian Tuna fishing magnate, [[Tony Šantić]], the owner of three time Melbourne Cup winning horse, [[Makybe Diva]], who renamed the property Smytzer's Lodge, and uses it as the home of his Makybe Diva breeding and bloodstock operations.<ref name="http"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book|last=Bedwell|first=Steven|title=Vizard Uncut: The Full Story|publisher=[[Melbourne University Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-0522854749}})

==Further reading==
* Wood, Leonie. ''Funny Business''. Sydney: [[Allen & Unwin]] (2007). {{ISBN|1741753295}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Steve Vizard}}
* {{IMDb name| id=0900411 | name=Steve Vizard}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television|Gold Logie Award]]<br />Most Popular Personality on Australian Television
| before = [[Craig McLachlan]]<br />{{nobold|for}} ''[[Neighbours]]''
| after = [[Jana Wendt]]<br />{{nobold|for}} ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''
| years = [[Logie Awards of 1991|1991]]<br />for ''[[Tonight Live with Steve Vizard]]''<br /> and ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]''
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vizard, Steve}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Australian male comedians]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian republicans]]
[[Category:Gold Logie winners]]
[[Category:Former members of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Melbourne]]
[[Category:People educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School]]
[[Category:Delegates to the Australian Constitutional Convention 1998]]
[[Category:People from Hawthorn, Victoria]]
[[Category:Melbourne Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Australian television talk show hosts]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Monash University]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Adelaide]]
[[Category:Comedians from Melbourne]]