Josh Waldhorn’s The Summit journey may have ended on Sunday, May 28, but the experience made him realise it’s now time to follow in his very famous father’s footsteps.
The 53-year-old, who originally hails from London in the UK, is the son of the late Gary Waldhorn, an actor who starred in The Vicar of Dibley as David Horton, the Head of the Parish Council in the fictional town, as well as appearing in popular series’ Brideshead Revisited, The Professionals, The Bill and Heartbeat.
“He was a Shakespearean actor, really, but he was known for sitcoms,” Josh said during a chat with Mediaweek prior to his elimination. “I grew up in the schools of theatre with all sorts of famous people. I was even in a play with him, Waiting for Godot which was a very famous production.”
Gary passed away at the age of 78 in January 2022 with Josh and his family flying back to the UK for a memorial which was attended by his father’s co-stars Dawn French and James Fleet and Four Weddings and a Funeral star Richard Curtis. There were also video messages provided by the likes of Judi Dench et al.
Dawn French and Gary Waldhorn. BBC
Succession star Brian Cox’s advice for Josh Waldhorn
After getting a taste of acting in 1980’s Godot when he was just 10 years old, Josh admitted that this was something that he wanted to pursue again. And who better than to help him on his way? Succession star Brian Cox.
“I grew up with his son [Alan Cox] before he got whisked off to be in Young Sherlock Holmes as Watson,” he said before adding that the famous Patriarch was in Melbourne for a literary festival, where he left a note for him with the box office.
Brian then called Josh up, with the now reality star telling him of his acting plans.
“We caught up for an hour and a half,” Josh revealed. “And he said, ‘You know, why don’t you [get into acting]?'”
Josh who now calls himself an “aspiring actor” then admitted that performing has “been in my blood long enough”.
“I’ve done a few TV series and a couple of short films,” he said. “I’ve been quietly hoping that this show [The Summit] might give me a reason to just get on with it.”
Gary (L) and Josh Waldhorn (R). Nine
Josh Waldhorn applied for The Summit after his father died
When Gary passed away, Josh was in a very “dark place” and decided he wanted to have an “adventure”.
“One of the things I really would like to be seen as from this show is that I’m an inspiration to all the millions of people out there that are in a dark place in their lives,” he said.
Josh Waldhorn on The Summit. Nine
“It’s proof that you can come out of that and that you can find your way out and you can have a renaissance. That you can find yourself again and take on an adventure and get out of your comfort zone.”
The Summit continues Monday, May 29 at 7.30 pm on 9 and 9Now.