Jon Blake (actor)

Paul Jonathan Blake (10 December 1958 – 30 May 2011)[1] billed as Jon Blake and Sonny Blake, was an Australian actor who was primarily active in the 1980s. He appeared in several TV shows and films, including a leading role in Scott Hicks's Freedom (1982), before a car accident in 1986 left him severely disabled.

For other people named Jon Blake, see Jon Blake (disambiguation).

Jon Blake
Born
Paul Jonathan Blake

(1958-12-10)10 December 1958
Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
Died30 May 2011(2011-05-30) (aged 52)
Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesSonny Blake
OccupationActor
Years active1977–1986

Biography

Blake was born Paul Jonathan Gleason in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby in 1958,[1] an only child of parents who were classical musicians. His family moved back and forth between New Zealand and Australia before permanently settling in Sydney when he was ten.[2]

In his youth, Blake trained as a professional boxer[3] and studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium.[2] He also spent several years in student and experimental theatre groups and took private acting lessons while working as an usher at a city cinema complex.[4]

While attending Glenaeon, an independent K-12 school at Middle Cove, New South Wales, Blake starred in many school productions. In 1976, an acquaintance of his history teacher who was a TV producer was considering various actors to star in a new TV soap called The Restless Years. This became Blake's first screen role on commercial television. He was credited as Sonny Blake. During his time on the show, Blake continued to take acting lessons and would eventually study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.[2]

After leaving The Restless Years, Blake worked in television and theatre, including a role in the revival of On Our Selection. He quickly progressed to miniseries and films. One of his highest-profile parts was a starring role in the Australian television miniseries Anzacs. His good looks led to him being named by Cleo magazine as one of their most eligible bachelors of 1986. Blake's charismatic presence and fast-rising star led to him being dubbed "the next Mel Gibson", with mentions of several work opportunities in the United States and talk of a new Mad Max film.

Accident

On 1 December 1986, Blake was badly injured in a car accident while driving home after the last day of filming The Lighthorsemen in the South Australian desert. An oncoming car appeared in his path and he swerved to avoid it, crashing into a car which was parked on the side of the road. Blake was not expected to survive the accident. His only external injuries were a slight graze on his cheekbone and a cut to his temple,[5] but he sustained permanent brain damage in the accident and was left paralysed and unable to speak.[6]

Court cases

After several long and complex legal battles and appeals,[7] Blake was awarded $33.3 million in compensation for his caretaking and lost future earnings. This was later reduced to $7.67 million on appeal. The amount was decided on the basis that there was a 15% chance Blake would have attained superstar status in Hollywood and a 35% chance of him achieving considerable success.[8] Academy Award winning filmmaker George Miller, producer Hal McElroy, critic David Stratton and actor Peter Phelps all testified about Blake's potential.[9]

Up until her death in 2007, Blake's mother Mascot was his primary caregiver. His son Dustin then cared for him until his death.[10]

Death

Blake died on 30 May 2011, aged 52, from complications from pneumonia.[11]

Filmography
Film and television credits
Title Released Role Notes
The Restless Years 1977–1979 Alan Archer
Patrol Boat 1979 Mawson 1 episode
Slippery Slide 1980 Chris Newsbury TV movie
Early Frost 1982 Peter Meadows
Freedom 1982 Ron
A Country Practice 1982 Jim 2 episodes
Waterloo Station 1983 Unknown
Patrol Boat 1983 Letich 1 episode
Five Mile Creek 1984 Trooper Wilson 1 episode
The Boy in the Bush 1984 Tom Ellis TV mini-series
A Country Practice 1984 Constable Steve Vargas 14 episodes
Special Squad 1984 Unknown
The Slim Dusty Movie 1984 Young Slim Dusty
Anzacs 1985 Flanagan TV mini-series
Cool Change 1986 Steve Mitchell
The Lighthorsemen 1987 Trooper Sloan "Scotty" Bolton
Running from the Guns 1987 Davie

References
  1. "Paul Jonathan (Jon) Blake – Funeral and Death Notice".
  2. "Actor Jon Blake dies at 52". 1 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  3. Jolley, Sue (3 June 1978). "Sonny's rocky road to stardom". TV Times. 20 (35). Sydney: Australian Consolidated Press.
  4. Forster, Deborah (June 1987). "After a devastating accident...actor Jon Blake's loneliest battle". The Australian Women's Weekly.
  5. "His eyes would just stare out". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  6. Dalley, Helen (24 June 2001). "Power Without Glory". Sunday. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  7. Martin, Louise (13 February 1997). "Appeal court slashes actor's compensation to $7 million". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. Coultan, Mark (20 December 1995). "What money can't buy". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  9. "Disabled actor farewells mum". Daily Telegraph. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  10. "Lighthorseman actor Jon Blake dies from pneumonia aged 52". adelaidenow.com.au. 31 May 2011.
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