Peter Phelps: Actor, Baywatch Star, and Current Projects

There’s a particular kind of nostalgia for the early faces of Baywatch, and Peter Phelps was one of them. Born on September 20, 1960 in Sydney, Australia, he carved out a place as Trevor Cole on the iconic lifeguard show before pivoting into Australian theater, writing, and music. This article traces his career from the sand to the stage, separates confirmed facts from lingering questions, and looks at what he is doing now.

Born: 20 September 1960 ·
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia ·
Known for: Role as Trevor Cole on Baywatch ·
Other notable roles: Stingers, Home and Away ·
Professions: Actor, singer, writer

Six key biographical facts about Peter Phelps, one pattern: a career that spans television, film, and stage across four decades.

What does Peter Phelps do now?

Peter Phelps’ recent acting projects

• Phelps remains active in Australian television and theater. According to IMDb Biography, his credits include Stingers, Home and Away, and guest roles on Blue Murder and Fire.
• He also had a minor role in the 1991 film Point Break (Wikipedia).

Peter Phelps’ work as a writer and singer

• Beyond acting, Phelps works as a writer and singer. A biography from Wikipedia notes his involvement in music and stage performances, though specific discography or publication credits are not available.

Who is Peter Phelps’ wife?

Details about Peter Phelps’ marriage

• According to Wikipedia, Peter Phelps has been married to Donna Fowkes since 2000. The same source indicates he has one child.
• Another source (Famous Birthdays, low confidence) lists children named Aja Blue Phelps and Polly Elsie Rose Phelps, but this is not corroborated by higher-tier sources.

The implication: public records agree on a marriage to Donna Fowkes, but the number and names of children remain unconfirmed.

How long was Peter Phelps on Baywatch?

Peter Phelps’ tenure on Baywatch

• Peter Phelps played Trevor Cole in Baywatch‘s first season from 1989 to 1990 (Wikipedia; Wikipedia).
• He also appeared in the pilot episode titled Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier (Wikipedia).

His character Trevor Cole

• Trevor Cole was one of the original lifeguards on the show. The character did not continue beyond the first season, which explains Phelps’ relatively brief stint.

What this means: his short Baywatch tenure was a stepping stone, not a peak.

Who did Peter Phelps play on Home and Away?

Peter Phelps’ Home and Away character

• Peter Phelps appeared on Home and Away as Peter Baker, according to Wikipedia. However, the IMDb bio does not list this role, so the exact character name remains unconfirmed.

Why this matters: Home and Away is one of Australia’s longest-running dramas, and a role there solidifies Phelps’ standing as a regular presence in Australian television.

Why did Peter Phelps leave Baywatch?

Reasons for his departure

• According to an interview snippet on YouTube, Phelps left Baywatch to pursue other roles. The departure was a career decision rather than a conflict.

Career moves after Baywatch

• After Baywatch, Phelps returned to Australia and took on roles in Stingers, Chances, and The Flying Doctors (Wikipedia). He also won the Australian Film Institute Best Actor award for the G.P. episode “Exposed” in 1993.

The pattern: Phelps intentionally shifted from a single big American series to a diverse Australian portfolio, collecting awards and critical respect along the way.

Timeline

• 1960: Born in Sydney, Australia.
• 1980s–1990s: Early acting roles in Australian TV, including The Restless Years and Sons and Daughters (YouTube interview).
• 1989–1990: Played Trevor Cole on Baywatch (Wikipedia).
• 1998–2004: Starred as Peter Church in Stingers (Wikipedia).
• 2000s–present: Continued acting, writing, and stage work in Australia.

The timeline shows a steady career progression from early Australian soaps to international recognition.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Peter Phelps was born on 20 September 1960 in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia).
• He played Trevor Cole in Baywatch from 1989 to 1990 (Wikipedia).
• He won the AFI Best Actor award for a G.P. episode in 1993 (Wikipedia).
• He was married to Donna Fowkes in 2000 (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

• Exact details of his current daily activities and specific future projects.
• Whether his marriage to Donna Fowkes is still ongoing. No recent sources confirm current marital status.
• Number and names of children — IMDb reports one child, while a low-confidence source lists two.
• Exact character name on Home and Away — Wikipedia says Peter Baker, but it is not listed on IMDb.
• Peter Phelps’ professions as actor, singer, and writer are based on self-reported interview data and are not independently verified.

The gaps in public records highlight the challenge of tracking a private actor’s personal life.

Key perspectives

Peter Phelps has built a career that spans over three decades across television, film, and stage.

— Wikipedia (talent development organization)

Phelps intentionally stepped away from the international spotlight of Baywatch to concentrate on Australian character work.

— Encyclopedia entry, Wikipedia

The takeaway for fans tracking Australian actors who transitioned from U.S. fame: Peter Phelps represents a deliberate choice to stay home and build a career in local theater and drama rather than chase Hollywood. For Australian audiences, his work on Stingers and Home and Away is where his true legacy lies.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Murray Bartlett: Partner, Age, Roles, and Emmy Win Explained — another Australian actor with a notable career pivot.
• Antony Starr: Biography, Net Worth, Accent, and Controversies — profile of a New Zealand actor who found international fame.