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Neighbours' surfer Brad Willis actor's new career more than 30 years after leaving soap

Brad was one of the early breakout stars of Neighbours, appearing as hunky surfer Brad between 1991 and 1993 and finding himself in a very uncomfortable love triangle

by · The Mirror

Neighbours fans might remember hunky surfer Brad Willis from the soap between 1991 and 1993. The actor, Scott Michaelson, was in his 20s when he was part of the long-running Australian soap.

Brad was originally played by Benjamin Mitchell before he was replaced by Scott in the early 90s. The character was re-introduced alongside sister Gaby (played by Rachel Blakely). The character was a "friend to all" and a "nice, loveable fool", with Brad going through storylines including dating his neighbour Lucy and falling in love with Beth before having an affair with Lauren while engaged to Beth. His fiancée found out about the affair on their wedding day.

He was even shot while trying to save his mother from a hostage situation involving Bob (Bruce Kilpatrick). In 1993, he was written off the show. After he left the show, Scott went on to appear in the New Zealand series Shortland Street. He also had roles in Paradise Beach, The New Adventures of Flipper and Sabrina Down Under.

( Image: linkedin/Scott Michaelson)
( Image: Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock)

"I wasn't happy with not being able to control my own destiny and wanted a sense of security around my future,' he told Woman's Day upon leaving the soap. You're always at the behest of someone else [in the entertainment industry]. I just felt that people who control their own destinies seemed a lot mot content with their lives." He also guest starred in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Young Hercules. The actor soon turned away from acting and became a talent manager. A recognisable client of his includes Holly Valance, who sang Kiss Kiss.

The actor-turned-talent manager helped Holly get a role in Neighbours in 1999 before she started focusing on music. It wasn't all smooth sailing for the duo as a court told Holly he had to pay him $350,000 due to a breach of contract. She even claimed he wasn't qualified to handle her rising fame.

Scott now swapped talent management for managing top real estate agents with his business called Smile Elite. His LinkedIn profile stated he once co-owned a pub in St Kilda, opened Melbourne's first solarium tanning salon, and developed a skincare range that was awarded Skincare Brand of the Year in 2009.