Paul Jonathan Blake (December 10, 1958 - May 30, 2011) billed as Jon Blake is an Australian actor who was particularly active in the 1980s. He appeared on several TV shows and movies, including a lead role in Scott Hicks's Freedom (1982), before a car crash in 1986 made him very disabled.
Video Jon Blake (actor)
Biography
Blake was born Paul Jonathan Gleason in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby in 1958, the only child of a parent who is a classical musician. His family moved back and forth between New Zealand and Australia before settling permanently in Sydney when he was ten years old.
In his youth, Blake trained as a professional boxer and studied music at the Sydney Conservatory. He also spent several years in an experimental group of students and theater and took private acting lessons while working as an introduction to the city's cinema complex.
While attending Glenaeon, an independent K-12 school in Middle Cove, New South Wales, Blake starred in many school productions. In 1976, an acquaintance of his history teacher who is a TV producer was considering various actors to star in a new TV soap called The Restless Years . It became Blake's first screen role on commercial television. She is credited as Sonny Blake. During his time on the show, Blake continues to take acting lessons and will eventually study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.
After leaving The Restless Years, Blake worked on television and theater, including a role in resurrection of On Our Selection. He quickly advanced to the miniseries and movies. One of its most prominent parts is the lead role in the Australian television miniseries of Anzacs . His good looks led him to be named by Cleo magazine as one of their most eligible bachelors of 1986. Blake's charismatic presence and fast-rising star caused him to be nicknamed "Mel Gibson next", citing from several job opportunities in the United States and talk of the new Mad Max movie.
Maps Jon Blake (actor)
Accident
On December 1, 1986, Blake was seriously injured in a car accident while driving home after the last day of filming The Lighthorsemen in the South Australian desert. An approaching car appeared in his path and he swerved to avoid it, crashing into a parked car on the side of the road. Blake is not expected to survive the accident. His only outer wound was a bit of graze on his cheekbones and a wound in his temple, but he suffered permanent brain damage in the accident and was paralyzed and unable to speak.
Court case
After several lengthy and complicated legal battles and appeals, Blake was awarded $ 33.3 million in compensation for the maintenance and loss of his future earnings. This was subsequently reduced to $ 7.67 million on appeal. The number was decided on the basis that there is a 15% chance Blake will achieve superstar status in Hollywood and 35% chance he achieved great success. Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller, producer Hal McElroy, David Stratton critic and actor Peter Phelps all testify about Blake's potential.
Until his death in 2007, Blake's mother mascot was her primary caregiver. His son Dustin then took care of him until his death.
Death
Blake died on May 30, 2011, aged 52, due to complications from pneumonia.
Movieography
References
External links
- Jon Blake at IMDb
- 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
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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