Jon Blake

Paul Jonathan Blake (10 December 1958 – 30 May 2011) 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, before a car accident in 1986 left him severely disabled.

Early life Blake was born Paul Jonathan Gleason in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby in 1958, Blake's family moved back and forth between New Zealand and Australia before permanently settling in Sydney when he was ten.

In his youth, Blake trained as a professional boxer and studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium.

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.

Career 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.

Blake's film credits included a main role in 1982 Ozploitation thriller Early Frost and the lead role in Scott Hicks' 1982 film Freedom. His final film role was in 1987 war film The Lighthorsemen. His charismatic presence led to him being dubbed "the next Mel Gibson", but he sustained permanent brain damage in the accident and was left paralysed and unable to speak.

Court cases After several long and complex legal battles and appeals, 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. Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller, producer Hal McElroy, critic David Stratton and actor Peter Phelps all testified about Blake's potential.

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

Death Blake died on 30 May 2011, aged 52, from complications from pneumonia.

Filmography

Film Title Released Role Notes1982 Early Frost Peter Meadows Feature film Freedom Ron Feature film 1984 The Slim Dusty Movie Young Slim Dusty Feature film 1986 Cool Change Steve Mitchell Feature film 1987 The Lighthorsemen Trooper Sloan 'Scotty' Bolton Feature film Running from the Guns Davie Feature film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1977–1979 The Restless Years Alan Archer 142 episodes 1979 Patrol Boat Mawson Episode 5: "Follow the Leader" 1980 Slippery Slide Chris Newsbury TV movie 1982 A Country Practice Jim 2 episodes1983 Waterloo Station Neil Patrol Boat Letich Season 2, episode 4: "Hands to Bathe"1984 The Boy in the Bush Tom Ellis Miniseries, 4 episodes Five Mile Creek Trooper Wilson Season 1, episode 9: "Home and Away" Cop Shop Episode 545 A Country Practice Constable Steve Vargas 14 episodes Special Squad Pig Episode 13: "Jacko" 1985 Anzacs Robert Flanagan Miniseries, 5 episodes

Theatre Date Title Role Venue / Co. 1979 On Our Selection Joe Jane Street Theatre, Nimrod Theatre Company1980 No Names ... No Pack Drill P.F.C. Wood Theatre Royal, Sydney with STC Cyrano De Bergerac Pickpocket / Poet / CadetSydney Opera House with STC The Merry Wives of Windsor Robin Source: