Ward began his career as a dancer in choreographer Ross Coleman's production of Gotta Move at Sydney's Union Theatre (now Footbridge Theatre) around the same time as being signed by Pat Woodley's modelling agency.
He trained at Sydney's Independent Theatre and signed with International Casting Services run by Gloria Payten who initially secured work for him as an extra in films such as That Lady from Peking and Color Me Dead.
He played Gilbert Bunthorp in ABC TV's adaptation of The Cousin from Fiji, a soldier in Spyforce and a Vietnam veteran in The Godfathers.
[4] Ward had a regular support role as Constable Peter Fleming in the police serial Cop Shop starting late 1977 but left the series within three months of its launch.
He appeared in the opening sequence of Peter Weir's The Cars That Ate Paris, and played tough guy Tex in Sidecar Racers.