Jon Blake (actor)

Blake was born Paul Jonathan Gleason in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby in 1958,^[1] an only child of parents who were classical musicians.^[2] His mother was first violinist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.^[3] Blake's 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^[4] and studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium.^[2] He spent several years in student and experimental theatre groups and took private acting lessons while working as an usher at a city cinema complex.^[5]

While attending Glenaeon, an independent K-12 school at Middle Cove, New South Wales, Blake acted in many school productions. In 1976, an acquaintance of his history teacher who was a TV producer was considering various actors to appear in a new TV soap called The Restless Years.

The Restless Years became Blake's first screen credit 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 playing a role in the revival of On Our Selection.

Blake quickly progressed to miniseries and films. One of his highest-profile parts was a starring role as Flanagan in 1985 big-budget Australian television miniseries Anzacs, alongside Paul Hogan and Andrew Clarke.^[6] He joined the cast after Gary Sweet relinquished the part to accept a role in An Indecent Obsession.^[6] He also appeared in western drama series Five Mile Creek (opposite Nicole Kidman in an early role) and soap opera A Country Practice.^[7]

Blake's film credits included a main role in 1982 Ozploitation thriller Early Frost and the lead role in Scott Hicks' 1982 film Freedom.^[7] He also featured in 1984 docudrama The Slim Dusty Movie, in which he played 'Young Slim'.^[7] Fresh from filming Anzacs, Blake had a starring role in Cool Change (1986), before going on to film Free Enterprise (1987), later renamed Running from the Guns.^[6] His final film role was in 1987 war film The Lighthorsemen.^[7] alongside Peter Phelps.

Blake's looks led to him being named by Cleo magazine as one of their most eligible bachelors of 1986.^[8] His charismatic presence led to him being dubbed "the next Mel Gibson",^[8] with mentions of several work opportunities in the United States and talk of a new Mad Max film.^{[citation needed]}

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,^[9] but he sustained permanent brain damage in the accident and was left paralysed and unable to speak.^[10]

After several long and complex legal battles and appeals,^[11] represented by Sydney lawyer Tim Kelly, 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.^[12] Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller, producer Hal McElroy, critic David Stratton and actor Peter Phelps all testified about Blake's potential.^[13]

Up until her death in 2007, Blake's mother Mascot was his primary caregiver. His son Dustin then cared for him until his death.^[14]

Blake died on 30 May 2011, aged 52, from complications from pneumonia.^[15]

Source: ^[16]