Bill Collins was born in
Sutherland, Sydney, the son of a policeman and school teacher. He was educated at
Canterbury Boys' High School and the
University of Sydney, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Latin in 1959, a
Diploma of Education in 1960 and a
Master of Education in 1965. Originally an English school teacher at
East Hills Boys High School and his alma mater Canterbury Boys' High School, and later lecturer at
Sydney Teachers College, Collins' appreciation of cinema led him to write reviews in the early 1960s and resulted in him working as a film presenter for the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (then the Australian Broadcasting Commission). He moved from the ABC to
TCN Channel 9 working there between 1967 and 1974; later moving to
ATN Channel 7 from 1975 to 1979. In 1980 he moved to
Channel Ten to present movies nationally. He was widely recognised in Australia for his passionate enthusiasm for films, and his profile allowed him to meet and become acquainted with a range of film makers from the "Golden Age of Hollywood". His presentations usually consisted of a brief review of the film and its actors, specific discussion of filming techniques, theme music, as well as personal recollections and quotes from the film makers he had interviewed. From 23 October 1995 until his retirement on 20 October 2018, he presented films for the Foxtel cable television network FOX Classics. His celebrity status allowed him to take cameo roles in film and television, notably
Prisoner (1985) and
Howling III (1987). In addition to his television work, he lectured at the
University of Sydney on film and related subjects. In 1987, he published a book of film reviews and essays,
Bill Collins Presents "The Golden Years of Hollywood". ==Personal life==