Jon Blake (actor)

Blake was born Paul Jonathan Gleason in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby in 1958, 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.filmink.com.au/news/remembering-jon-blake/|title=Remembering Jon Blake|date=31 May 2011|accessdate=3 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327215048/http://www.filmink.com.au/news/remembering-jon-blake/|archivedate=27 March 2012}}

In his youth, Blake trained as a professional boxer{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-30/actor-jon-blake-dies-at-52/2738088|title=Actor Jon Blake dies at 52|date=1 June 2011|accessdate=3 October 2011}} and studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium. 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.{{Cite news | last = Jolley | first = Sue | date = 3 June 1978 | title = Sonny's rocky road to stardom | periodical = TV Times | volume = 20 | location = Sydney | publisher = Australian Consolidated Press | issue = 35}}

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.

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.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

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,{{Cite news | last = Forster | first = Deborah | date = June 1987 | url=http://bajaclub.homestead.com/jonblake5.html | title = After a devastating accident...actor Jon Blake's loneliest battle | periodical = The Australian Women's Weekly}} but he sustained permanent brain damage in the accident and was left paralysed and unable to speak.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/ipad/his-eyes-would-just-stare-out-20110604-1fm3d.html|title=His eyes would just stare out|date=4 June 2011|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=3 October 2011}}

After several long and complex legal battles and appeals,{{cite web|url=http://sgp1.paddington.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/cover_stories/transcript_839.asp|title=Power Without Glory|last=Dalley|first=Helen|date=24 June 2001|work=Sunday|accessdate=3 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423160529/http://sgp1.paddington.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/cover_stories/transcript_839.asp|archivedate=23 April 2012}} 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.{{Cite news | last = Martin | first = Louise | date = 13 February 1997 | title = Appeal court slashes actor's compensation to $7 million | periodical = The Sydney Morning Herald}} Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller, producer Hal McElroy, critic David Stratton and actor Peter Phelps all testified about Blake's potential.{{Cite news | last = Coultan | first = Mark | date = 20 December 1995 | title = What money can't buy | periodical = The Sydney Morning Herald}}

Up until her death in 2007, Blake's mother Mascot was his primary caregiver. His son Dustin then cared for him until his death.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21772979-5001021,00.html|title=Disabled actor farewells mum|date=22 June 2007|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|accessdate=2 November 2010}}

Blake died on 30 May 2011, aged 52, from complications from pneumonia.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/actor-jon-blake-dies/story-e6fredpu-1226065869720|title=Lighthorseman actor Jon Blake dies from pneumonia aged 52 |work=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide|date=31 May 2011}}

https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/225761

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|0086605|name= Jon Blake}}
• http://bajaclub.homestead.com/jonblake.html
• http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/aussie-actor-jon-blake-dies-20110530-1fcj4.html
• http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/australian-actor-jon-blake-dies/story-e6frfku0-1226065889860

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Category:1958 births

Category:2011 deaths

Category:Australian male film actors

Category:Australian male television actors

Category:Deaths from pneumonia in New South Wales

Category:People with disorders of consciousness