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.
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.[citation needed] 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]
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] 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.[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]
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For other people named Jon Blake see Jon Blake disambiguation 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 Jon BlakeBornPaul Jonathan Blake 1958 12 10 10 December 1958Hornsby New South Wales AustraliaDied30 May 2011 2011 05 30 aged 52 Central Coast New South Wales AustraliaOther namesSonny BlakeOccupationActorYears active1977 1986 Contents 1 Biography 2 Accident 3 Court cases 4 Death 5 Filmography 6 References 7 External linksBiography EditBlake 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 citation needed 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 Accident EditOn 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 EditAfter several long and complex legal battles and appeals 7 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 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 EditBlake died on 30 May 2011 aged 52 from complications from pneumonia 11 Filmography EditFilm and television credits Title Released Role NotesThe Restless Years 1977 1979 Alan ArcherPatrol Boat 1979 Mawson 1 episodeSlippery Slide 1980 Chris Newsbury TV movieEarly Frost 1982 Peter MeadowsFreedom 1982 RonA Country Practice 1982 Jim 2 episodesWaterloo Station 1983 UnknownPatrol Boat 1983 Letich 1 episodeFive Mile Creek 1984 Trooper Wilson 1 episodeThe Boy in the Bush 1984 Tom Ellis TV mini seriesA Country Practice 1984 Constable Steve Vargas 14 episodesSpecial Squad 1984 UnknownThe Slim Dusty Movie 1984 Young Slim DustyAnzacs 1985 Flanagan TV mini seriesCool Change 1986 Steve MitchellThe Lighthorsemen 1987 Trooper Sloan Scotty BoltonRunning from the Guns 1987 DavieReferences Edit a b Paul Jonathan Jon Blake Funeral and Death Notice a b c Remembering Jon Blake 31 May 2011 Archived from the original on 27 March 2012 Retrieved 3 October 2011 Actor Jon Blake dies at 52 1 June 2011 Retrieved 3 October 2011 Jolley Sue 3 June 1978 Sonny s rocky road to stardom TV Times Vol 20 no 35 Sydney Australian Consolidated Press Forster Deborah June 1987 After a devastating accident actor Jon Blake s loneliest battle The Australian Women s Weekly His eyes would just stare out The Sydney Morning Herald 4 June 2011 Retrieved 3 October 2011 Dalley Helen 24 June 2001 Power Without Glory Sunday Archived from the original on 23 April 2012 Retrieved 3 October 2011 Martin Louise 13 February 1997 Appeal court slashes actor s compensation to 7 million The Sydney Morning Herald Coultan Mark 20 December 1995 What money can t buy The Sydney Morning Herald Disabled actor farewells mum Daily Telegraph 22 June 2007 Retrieved 2 November 2010 Lighthorseman actor Jon Blake dies from pneumonia aged 52 adelaidenow com au 31 May 2011 External links EditJon 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jon Blake actor amp oldid 1078921859, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
