Jon Douglas Finlayson (23 March 1938 – 12 September 2012) was an Australian stage and screen character actor, radio performer, writer, director, producer and singer[1][2] He was known for his roles in the films Lonely Hearts (1982) and The Magic Show (1983).
Jon Finlayson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jon Douglas Finlayson 23 March 1938 Coburg, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 12 September 2012 (aged 74) Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1946–2012 |
He was also well-known from his numerous television roles, such as Colonel Archibald Spencer in Zoo Family (1985) and as James Gleeson in Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1995–1996). He wrote sketches for The Mavis Bramston Show.[3] He was noted for his hospitality as well as his 'Sunday Soirees' in the Melbourne show business community.[4]
Finlayson directed, produced, and co-wrote (with Gary Down) The Glitter Sisters.[2]
Early life
editJon Finlayson was born in Coburg, Victoria to Clorine and Ron Finlayson. When he was about age 8 the family moved to Burwood where he attended Hartwell Primary School and Camberwell High School.[2][5] His performing career began at about the same time when he toured Australia with the Australian Boys' Choir as a soprano.[5]
Death
editFinlayson died of prostate cancer[4] aged 74, on 12 September 2012 at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne[5]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Alvin Purple | Liz's Lawyer | Feature film |
| 1974 | Alvin Rides Again | The Magician | Feature film |
| 1975 | The Great Macarthy | Vincent | Feature film |
| 1976 | The Sentimental Bloke | Minor role | Feature film |
| 1982 | Lonely Hearts | George | Feature film |
| 1983 | The Magic Show | Van Zyskin (replaced "Ron Moody" at short notice) | Film[6] |
| 1984 | My First Wife | Bernard | Feature film |
| 1984 | Melvin, Son of Alvin | Burnbaum | Feature film |
| 1988 | Evil Angels | Professor Boettcher | Feature film |
| 1990 | A Kink in the Picasso | Lionel | Feature film |
| 1996 | The Inner Sanctuary | Archbishop Clarke | (final film role) |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Division 4 | Denver Philips / Wayne Fraser | 3 episodes |
| 1985 | Zoo Family | Colonel Archibald Spencer | 26 episodes |
| 1986 | Neighbours | Brian Hanson | 2 episodes |
| 1995-96 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | James Gleeson | 28 episodes |
References
edit- ^ "Finlayson, Jon ( -2012)". TROVE NLA.
- ^ a b c "Jon Finlayson Actor, writer, director, producer and singer". Camberwell High School Ex Students Society. 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Knox, David."Vale: Jon Finlayson" TV Tonight. 13 September 2012
- ^ a b "Vale Jon Finlayson" Melbourne Observer. 19 September 2012. Part C. Pages 37-52:
- ^ a b c Schepisi, Alexandra (4 October 2012). "Versatile actor, singer and raconteur". The Age. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Jon Fonlayson-Trivia". IMDB.com
External links
edit- Jon Finlayson at IMDb
- "Vale Jon Finlayson". tvtonight.com.au
- "Jon Finlayson". rottentomatoes.com