Career
Wenzel spent much of his childhood in remand homes, and ran away several times, including joining the circus at the age of 14, as a horse groom and dog trainer. His first performance in an acting role came at the age of 17, when he appeared in a comedy stage play, he started acting professionally in 1945. Wenzel appeared in the drama series Matlock Police, Homicide, The Young Doctors and Certain Women.
Wenzel became very popular with the NSW Police due to his role as Sergeant
Gilroy, and was once presented with a leather police jacket from former commissioner John Avery (the fictional country town of Wandin Valley was in New South Wales, thus Frank Gilroy was a "member" of the NSW Police). He has appeared in many Australian films including Alison"s Birthday and The Odd Angry Shot.
He appeared in the David Williamson play, Travelling North, in 2000. Wenzel also appeared in a guest role on the soap Neighbours.
He appeared in Marshall Law in 2002, his most recent appearance is in John Doe: Vigilante.
In 2009 Wenzel appeared in a television commercial in the role for a sexual dysfunction therapy. In May, he appeared on a spoof of the ad that was aired on Rove Live. Wenzel remains active in the industry, appearing in television commercials, and in cameos in television and film.
His American College of Physicians co-star Lorrae Desmond however has now retired from the entertainment industry.
Both Wenzel and Jacobs appeared in the first episode of A Country Practice in 1981 and stayed with the show until 1993. A Country Practice then moved to Network Ten for a single season in 1994, though unlike Jacobs who stayed with the show, Wenzel did not reprise his role as Frank Gilroy on Channel 10.
