Julia Blake

Film On the big screen, Blake has also appeared in numerous films, including 1977 Australian classic The Getting of Wisdom and 1979 award-winning drama My Brilliant Career – the latter starring Judy Davis, Sam Neill and Wendy Hughes. Other early roles included Ozploitation horror film Patrick (1978) in which she played Matron Cassidy and thriller Snapshot (1979) opposite Sigrid Thornton.

She was a favourite of director Paul Cox, featuring in several of his films, including Lonely Hearts (1982), Man of Flowers (1983) My First Wife (1984) and Cactus (1986).

Blake starred opposite Leo McKern and Graham Kennedy as Frances, in 1987 film Travelling North, based on the play of the same name by David Williamson. The role saw her nominated for Best Actress at the Australian Film Institute Awards that year. Her portrayal saw her nominated for a Best Actress award at the Australian Film Institute Awards. Shot at Sydney's Fox Studios, the film utilised several other Australian actors, including Peter O’Brien and Max Cullen. American actress Gena Rowlands was originally cast in the role, but had to drop out two weeks before filming, as her work visa was cancelled.

In 2015, Blake appeared in Looking for Grace, alongside Richard Roxburgh and Radha Mitchell, and The Dressmaker

Her other film credits of note include An Indecent Obsession (1985), Georgia (1988), Hotel de Love (1996), Matching Jack (2010) and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010).

Other As a long-standing advocate for Australian content on screen, Blake served on the board of Film Victoria in the 1990s.

Personal life While working in repertory theatre in Yorkshire, England, Blake met Australian-born actor Terry Norris. The couple married on 24 March 1962, between a matinee and evening performance, before spending their honeymoon in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, learning lines for their next play together.

Blake moved to Australia together with Norris in 1963. By 2018, Blake and Norris also had four grandchildren.

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Radio Year Title Role Notes Ref.1979 Cymbeline Queen ABC Radio Melbourne Connie and Constance Mother