Peter Phelps Biography: Baywatch, Home and Away & Current Status

Anyone who watched Baywatch in the early 1990s remembers the Australian lifeguard who brought a distinct accent to the sandy shores of Los Angeles County. That was Peter Phelps, a Sydney-born actor who played Trevor Cole on the show.

Born: 20 September 1960 · Birthplace: Sydney, Australia · Notable TV Role: Trevor Cole in Baywatch

The pattern across six biographical specifications reveals a career built on versatility rather than typecasting.

Who is Peter Phelps?

Early life and background

Peter Phelps was born on 20 September 1960 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Wikipedia). Before entering the entertainment industry, he worked as a lifeguard for about six months — a detail that later made his Baywatch casting almost serendipitous (Sydney Morning Herald). He told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2018 that he met a television-industry contact who suggested he audition for The Restless Years, which opened the door to his first acting roles.

Career overview

Phelps began his television career in the early 1980s, landing a role as John Palmer on the Australian soap Sons and Daughters from 1981 to 1983 (Encyclopedia.com). He also appeared in the 1991 film Point Break as a surfer (Wikipedia). His big international break came when he was cast as Trevor Cole on Baywatch, a role that made him recognizable to audiences around the world. He also starred as Peter Church in the Australian police drama Stingers from 1998 to 2004, a role widely cited as one of his signature television parts (Encyclopedia.com).

Notable achievements

• Played Trevor Cole on Baywatch (1991–1994) — one of the few Australian actors to hold a main cast role on the show (Wikipedia)
• Starred as Peter Church in Stingers for six seasons (Encyclopedia.com)
• Directed episodes of Home and Away in 2007–2008 (IMDb)
• Published the book The Bulldog Track (Sydney Morning Herald)

The implication: Phelps turned a six-month lifeguard stint into a trans-Pacific television career that most character actors never achieve.

How long was Peter Phelps on Baywatch?

Tenure on the show

Peter Phelps played lifeguard Trevor Cole on Baywatch from 1991 to 1994, spanning seasons 2 through 4 (Wikipedia). He first appeared in the series during its second season and remained a main cast member for three seasons. An earlier Baywatch entry was the 1989 pilot film Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier, in which Phelps also appeared (Encyclopedia.com).

Character background

Trevor Cole was introduced as an Australian lifeguard who transferred to the Los Angeles County beach patrol. The character brought a distinct international flavor to the squad and was known for his laid-back demeanor and strong swimming skills. Phelps’s real-life experience as a lifeguard added authenticity to the role (Sydney Morning Herald).

Departure reasons

Phelps left Baywatch after season 4 as part of a broader cast shake-up that saw several characters exit the show. The exact reasons for his departure have not been publicly detailed, but cast changes were common on long-running series. His character was not written out in a dramatic fashion — rather, Cole simply stopped appearing in new episodes (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Phelps’s three-season Baywatch run gave him international visibility while keeping his Australian television career intact.

What happened to Trevor Cole on Baywatch?

Character storyline

Trevor Cole first appeared in Baywatch season 2 as a transfer from the Australian coast. He quickly became a valued member of the team, participating in rescues and building friendships with other lifeguards, including Mitch Buchannon (David Hasselhoff) and Stephanie Holden (Alexandra Paul). Cole’s Australian background was a recurring element of his character, setting him apart from the American-born lifeguards (Wikipedia).

Exit from the series

After three seasons, Trevor Cole departed the show at the end of season 4. His exit was not marked by a dramatic farewell episode — rather, the character was gradually phased out as new cast members joined. This was a common pattern for Baywatch, which regularly refreshed its ensemble (Wikipedia).

Impact on the show

Cole’s departure, along with other cast changes, marked a shift in the show’s dynamic. Baywatch continued to evolve, introducing new characters like Cody Madison and Neely Capshaw in subsequent seasons. For Australian viewers, Cole remained a memorable figure — one of the few Australian characters to appear on the show during its peak global popularity (Wikipedia).

The catch: Cole’s low-key departure meant Phelps avoided the typecasting trap that followed many Baywatch alumni.

Who is Cash’s dad in Home and Away?

Role as Gary Morrow

Peter Phelps joined the cast of Home and Away in 2022 as Gary Morrow, the father of Cash Newman (Plex). This was not his first appearance on the long-running Australian soap — he had previously played Alan Henderson in 2012 (IMDb Biography) and had directed episodes of the show in 2007–2008 (IMDb).

Relationship to Cash Newman

Gary Morrow was introduced as the estranged father of Cash Newman, a character already established on the show. The storyline explored family conflict, reconciliation, and the complexities of father-son relationships. Phelps’s portrayal brought a nuanced, weathered quality to the role, drawing on his decades of experience in Australian television (Plex).

Plot significance

The Gary Morrow storyline ran through the 2022–2023 season and involved family drama that tested Cash’s loyalties. The character’s presence added depth to the Newman family arc and gave Phelps a platform to demonstrate his range as a dramatic actor. His performance was well-received by fans of the show (IMDb).

The implication: Phelps’s 2022 Home and Away return proved that a 40-year career arc in Australian television still attracts producers looking for seasoned reliability.

What is Peter Phelps doing now?

Recent projects

Peter Phelps continues to work in Australian television. His most recent on-screen role was Gary Morrow in Home and Away, which aired in 2022–2023 (Plex). He also remains active in theatre and voice work, though specific projects are not always publicly listed. In 2018, he published The Bulldog Track, a book that drew on his personal experiences (Sydney Morning Herald).

Current acting work

According to his profile on MN2S, Phelps is available for booking and continues to take on new roles. His filmography on Apple TV lists him as an Australian actor, singer, and writer, with credits spanning multiple decades. While he has not announced any major new projects publicly, his career shows no signs of slowing down.

Public appearances and legacy

Phelps remains a recognizable figure in Australian popular culture. In a 2018 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, he reflected on his career and expressed hope for greater equality in the industry. He also spoke about his friendship with the late Cornelia Frances, whom he directed on Home and Away.

The pattern: Phelps continues to demonstrate that versatility — moving between acting, directing, and writing — sustains a career long after the Baywatch spotlight fades.

Six biographical specifications, one pattern: Phelps built a career on versatility — moving from soap operas to international syndication, then back to Australian television with ease.

The specification table below captures the full breadth of his recorded professional life.

For Australian television fans, Peter Phelps represents a rare bridge between local soap operas and global syndication. His career — from Sons and Daughters to Baywatch to Home and Away — shows that character actors who can move between genres and markets are the ones who last. For Phelps, that cross-border appeal has built a career spanning four decades, proving that versatility is the single most durable asset in the Australian screen industry.