Alan Hopgood grew up in Tasmania, and acted in several dramatic roles while still a child. After finishing school in Melbourne, he attended the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Diploma of Education. Hopgood had his first play, Marcus, produced at Melbourne University while he was working as a school-teacher. He left teaching to act and write full-time in the theatre.
He is a well-known actor, having worked with the the Phillip Street Theatre (q.v.), for which he also contributed original material; the Union Theatre Repertory Company; and for many years was associated with the Melbourne Theatre Company. He has also appeared in a number of popular television programmes.
Hopgood has written numerous scripts for stage, film and television in a diverse range of genres, including feature films, documentaries, theatre, musicals, and comedy. Two notable television series are Bellbird (q.v.) and Neighbours (q.v.). His Neighbours: The Playscripts (1990) contains storylines written as exercises for young actors. He has also published The Twin Book (or two of everything) with Honor Walters (1983) and Surviving Prostate Cancer: One Man's Journey (with Mark Ragg (q.v.) and Peter Royce, 1996).
Further Reading: Professor Anne Pender's essay on Alan Hopgood.