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Alf Stewart 2024: Still on Home and Away? Actor & Net Worth

Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams • 2026-09-16 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

There’s a certain comfort in flipping on Home and Away and seeing that familiar face, the one belonging to Summer Bay’s most notorious busybody. For over three decades, Alf Stewart has been a constant, a character so woven into Australian television that he feels less like a performance and more like a national institution.

Character debut: 17 January 1988 · Portrayed by: Ray Meagher · Years on Home and Away: 36+ years · Character status (2024): Active · Actor’s marriage: Married to Ruth · Residence: Queensland, Australia

Character Profile

  • First appeared in 1988
  • Played by Ray Meagher
  • Known for catchphrases like “Strewth!”
  • Longest-serving character on the show

Actor Profile

  • Ray Meagher, born 4 July 1944
  • Married to Ruth Meagher
  • Estimated net worth ~$4 million (speculative)
  • Lives in Queensland, Australia

Show Status

  • Active character in 2024
  • Appears regularly on Home and Away
  • Ray Meagher continues to portray him

Key Facts

  • Full name: Alfred James “Alf” Stewart
  • First episode: 17 January 1988
  • Portrayed by: Ray Meagher
  • Actor’s marriage: Married to Ruth
Attribute Detail Source
Character name Alfred James “Alf” Stewart Wikipedia
First appearance 1988 (first episode) Wikipedia
Portrayed by Ray Meagher Wikipedia
Character status Active Back to the Bay
Actor’s marriage Married to Ruth IMDb
Actor’s residence Queensland, Australia RSVP Live
Estimated net worth ~$4 million (speculative) New Idea

Alf Stewart: The Character and His Enduring Legacy

Alf Stewart isn’t just a character; he’s a cornerstone of Australian popular culture. First appearing in the very first episode of Home and Away on 17 January 1988, Alf was introduced as a fisherman with strong opinions and an even stronger moral compass, often clashing with the show’s younger characters. What’s remarkable is that the role has been played by the same actor, Ray Meagher, since that inaugural episode, making him the longest-serving cast member on the show.

His longevity has made Alf a record-breaker. Not only has he been a constant presence for over three decades, but his portrayal has earned him industry recognition. Meagher’s work as Alf Stewart earned him the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010, a testament to his popularity with audiences.

Bottom line: Alf Stewart isn’t just a TV character; he’s a record-breaking staple of Australian television, played by one actor, Ray Meagher, for over 36 years—a feat that has cemented both the character and the actor in the country’s cultural history.

Is Alf Stewart still on Home and Away?

Yes, Alf Stewart is still an active character on Home and Away, with his status confirmed as recently as 2024. Ray Meagher continues to portray him, maintaining his role as the show’s longest-serving cast member. The character remains a fixture in Summer Bay, often involved in community storylines and family drama.

The implication: Alf Stewart’s continued presence anchors the show’s identity, providing a through-line that connects new viewers with the series’ 36-year history.

Ray Meagher: The Man Behind the Singlet

While Alf Stewart is a fictional creation, the man who plays him has his own distinct life, which is often far more grounded than his on-screen persona. One of the most commonly asked questions about Meagher is his relationship status. According to reports, Ray Meagher is married to his wife, Ruth, and their relationship has been a stable part of his life away from the cameras.

Another fact that often surprises fans is about family. Despite playing a character with a large on-screen family, Ray Meagher does not have children of his own, a personal detail he has spoken about candidly. He and his wife have kept their personal lives largely out of the spotlight, a stark contrast to the turmoil Alf often finds himself in within Summer Bay.

Is Ray Meagher married in real life?

Yes, Ray Meagher is married to Ruth Meagher. The couple married in a private ceremony, and their relationship has been a source of stability for the actor away from the set. Unlike his character Alf, whose romantic life on screen has been complicated, Meagher’s personal life is marked by a long and steady partnership.

Where does Ray Meagher live now?

Ray Meagher lives in Queensland, Australia. He is a passionate Queenslander, and this is reflected in his real-life residence. He has spoken in interviews about enjoying the quieter lifestyle that Queensland offers, away from the entertainment industry’s hustle.

Bottom line: Ray Meagher’s real life is one of stability and privacy—a long marriage to Ruth, no children—which stands in stark contrast to the chaotic on-screen world of Alf Stewart, a balance he has maintained for decades.

Net Worth: Separating Fact from Speculation

When it comes to Ray Meagher’s net worth, the information is often speculative. While some sources attempt to estimate his wealth, these figures should be approached with caution. The most frequently cited figure is around $4 million, but there is no official confirmation or reliable financial data to support this. It’s crucial to understand that in the entertainment industry, net worth is often an estimate based on assumed salaries, property, and other assets, and is rarely verified publicly.

What can be said with more confidence is that a career spanning over three decades on one of Australia’s most successful television shows would provide a substantial and comfortable income. However, without official financial disclosures, any exact number remains in the realm of speculation, a vital caveat for fans seeking concrete answers.

The catch

Net worth figures for celebrities are notoriously unreliable, and Ray Meagher is no exception. Treat any exact number as a guess, not a fact.

How much is Ray Meagher worth and what is Alf Stewart’s salary on Home and Away?

The most common estimate places Ray Meagher’s net worth at roughly $4 million, based on his multi-decade tenure. However, WHO magazine reports that third-party websites give wildly different estimates, from US$6 million to US$42.9 million. As for his salary, Meagher told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2019 that he earns “a little more than I did 31 years ago” and “a little less than I’m worth,” confirming no official public figure exists.

The pattern: reliable data on celebrity wealth is scarce, and Ray Meagher’s case shows the gap between public speculation and private reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alf Stewart still on Home and Away?

Yes, Alf Stewart is still an active character on the show, with his status confirmed as recently as 2024. Ray Meagher continues to portray him.

When did Alf Stewart first appear?

Alf Stewart first appeared in the very first episode of Home and Away, which aired on 17 January 1988.

Is Ray Meagher married in real life?

Yes, Ray Meagher is married to a woman named Ruth Meagher.

Does Ray Meagher have children?

No, Ray Meagher and his wife do not have any children.

How old is Ray Meagher?

Ray Meagher was born on July 4, 1944, which makes him 80 years old as of 2024.

Has Ray Meagher won any awards for playing Alf?

Yes, Ray Meagher won the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010 for his portrayal of Alf Stewart.

Where does Ray Meagher live?

Ray Meagher lives in Queensland, Australia. He is a passionate Queenslander, and this is reflected in his real-life residence.

Related Reading

For those interested in digging deeper into the world of Home and Away and its characters, consider exploring more about the show’s history or other long-running cast members. You can also find more about Alf Stewart’s character on dedicated fan pages and the official show website. While the on-screen drama is fictional, the legacy of the show and its actors is very real. To learn more about the longest-running character, you can check his dedicated Wikipedia page or explore interviews with the cast.

Source: Wikipedia: Alf Stewart · Daily Star · Sydney Morning Herald



Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams

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Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.