Adams began his acting career in his native New Zealand, and first came to the attention of critics in 1948, for his singing voice. In 1954, he performed in a production of
The Mikado at
Kings College. He left the series for a role in musical theatre, but later returned, staying until the series was cancelled in December 1983. Adams subsequently appeared in
Prisoner as the tough Acting Governor Bob Moran, for three months in 1986. In 1994 he appeared in the television movie
Halifax f.p. – The Feeding with
Rebecca Gibney. While predominantly known for his television roles, Adams also continued to work in theatre. In 1985, he toured Victoria appearing in
Warwick Moss' two-man play
Down an Alley Filled with Cats. In 1995, he directed the 1995 Geelong Lyric Theatre Society production of
Les Misérables. In 1987, he appeared in the Darwin Theatre Company production of
Trumpets and Raspberries. Adams had his own radio show on Melbourne's
3AW for 18 months. ==Personal life and death==