Jon Douglas Finlayson (23 March 1938–12 September 2012) was an Australian stage and screen character actor, radio performer, writer, director, producer and singer[2][3]
Jon Finlayson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jon Douglas Finlayson 23 March 1938 Coburg, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 12 September 2012 (aged 74) Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia |
| Education | Camberwell High School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1946–2012 |
| Family | Clorine Finlayson (mother) Ron Finlayson (father) Rhonda Finlayson (sister) Bruce Finlayson (brother) Alexandra Schepisi (niece) Zoe Schepisi (niece)[1] |
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.[3][4] His performing career began at about the same time when he toured Australia with the Australian Boys' Choir as a soprano.[4]
Career
editFinlayson was known for his roles in the films Lonely Hearts (1982) and The Magic Show (1983).
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.[5] He was noted for his hospitality as well as his 'Sunday Soirees' in the Melbourne show business community.[6]
Finlayson directed, produced, and co-wrote (with Gary Down) The Glitter Sisters.[3]
Death
editFinlayson died of prostate cancer[6] aged 74, on 12 September 2012 at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne[4]
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 |
| 1975 | The Devil in Evening Dress | Federici | Feature film |
| 1976 | Mad Dog Morgan | Extra | Feature film |
| 1976 | The Sentimental Bloke | Mr Smithers | Feature film |
| 1982 | Lonely Hearts | George | Feature film |
| 1983 | The Magic Show | Van Zyskin | Feature film[7] |
| 1984 | Skin Deep | Simpson Byrne | TV movie |
| 1984 | My First Wife | Bernard | Feature film |
| 1984 | Melvin, Son of Alvin | Burnbaum | Feature film |
| 1988 | Evil Angels | Professor Boettcher | Feature film |
| 1989 | Darlings of the Gods | Tyrone Guthrie | TV movie |
| 1990 | A Kink in the Picasso | Lionel | Feature film |
| 1996 | The Inner Sanctuary | Archbishop Clarke | (final film role) |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Personally Yours | Himself | TV series |
| 1967 | Hey You! | Basil | TV series, episode 6: "The Party" |
| 1967 | Australian Playhouse | TV play, season 2, episode 9: The Heat's On | |
| 1970 | The Long Arm | TV series, episode 6: "The Flight of the Chicken" | |
| 1970–1975 | Homicide | Karl Arnsen / Bill Sellars / Rupert Morgan / Tibby Hayes | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1971–1974 | Division 4 | Jonathan Gramophone / Wayne Fraser / Denver Philips / Richard Barry / Mr Hall | TV series, 5 episodes |
| 1972 | Matlock Police | Alex Bell / Brendan | TV series, season 2, 2 episodes |
| 1973 | Ryan | Smith | TV series, episode 16: "Nobody's Perfect" |
| 1975 | Cash and Company | Travers Lewis | Miniseries, episode 4: "Golden Girl" |
| 1975 | The Last of the Australians | Mr Flannagan | TV series, season 2, episode 2: "The Compleat Works" |
| 1979 | Skyways | Bruno | TV series, season 1, episode 43: "Flight 89" |
| 1979–1980 | Cop Shop | Maurice Pearson / Leslie Sampson | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1984 | Special Squad | Devonport | TV series, episode 11: "The Set-Up" |
| 1984 | Carson’s Law | David Spencer | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 1985 | Zoo Family | Colonel Archibald Spencer | TV series, 26 episodes |
| 1985–1986 | Neighbours | Brian Hanson / Audition Director | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1989 | Space Knights | Sue Ralph Retro (voice) | Animated TV series, episode 2: "Confounded Computers" |
| 1989 | The Power, The Passion | William Somerset | TV series |
| 1991 | The Flying Doctors | Specialist | TV series, season 8, episode 9: "Swinging on the Rope" |
| 1991 | Boys from the Bush | Travel Agent | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1993 | Newlyweds | Photographer | TV series, season 1, episode 2: "The Wedding Machine" |
| 1995–1996 | Snowy River: The McGregor Saga | James Gleeson | TV series, 28 episodes |
Theatre
editAs actor
editAs director / producer
edit| Year | Title | Role | Venue / Co. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Paton's Place | Director | Melbourne |
| 1962 | East Lynne | Director | Old Dolphin Theatre, Perth |
| 1962 | Outrageous Fortune | Co-writer / Producer | Arrow Theatre, Melbourne |
| Slings & Arrows | Co-writer | Arrow Theatre, Melbourne[13] | |
| 1962 | Don't Make Waves | Writer / Wardrobe Designer / Producer | Arrow Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1963 | Where Do We Go From Here? | Creator | St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1963 | To Hell With Culture | Playwright | National Theatrette, Melbourne |
| 1967 | Nothing To Do With It | Director | 27A Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1971 | Orpheus in the Underworld | Director | Theatre Royal, Hobart, Princess Theatre, Launceston with The Theatre Royal Light Opera Company |
| 1972 | The Computer / Love Travelling Salesman | Director | AMP Theatre, Adelaide |
| 1972 | The Beggar’s Opera | Director | Theatre Royal, Hobart with The Theatre Royal Light Opera Company |
| 1973; 1974 | Red, White and Boogie | Director | Le Chat Noir Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne, Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane |
| 1974 | Sweet Fanny Adams | Designer / Director | Le Chat Noir Theatre Restaurant, Melbourne with Jon Finlayson Productions |
| 1975 | The Shoemaker and the Elves | Director | Monash University, Melbourne with The Alexander Theatre Company |
| 1975–1979 | The Glitter Sisters | Director | Chevron Hotel, Melbourne, Oscar's Hollywood Palace Theatre Restaurant, Sydney, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Civic Theatre, Burnie, Princess Theatre, Launceston, Melbourne |
| 1976 | Pirates at the Barn | Director | Princess Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1977 | The Fall Guy | Choreographer | Russell Street Theatre with MTC |
| 1979 | The New Moon | Director | Theatre Royal, Hobart with The Theatre Royal Light Opera Company |
| 1982 | Sad Song | Director | Magic Mirror Theatre, Perth |
| 1993 | A Matinee Season with Noel Coward without Noel Coward | Devisor | Playhouse, Melbourne, Australian tour, Melbourne Zoo |
| 1997 | Mad Dogs and Finlayson | Devisor | Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |
| 1997 | Come Up and See Me Sometime | Director | Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |
References
edit- ^ https://www.smh.com.au/national/versatile-actor-singer-and-raconteur-20121003-26zst.html
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c Schepisi, Alexandra (4 October 2012). "Versatile actor, singer and raconteur". The Age. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ 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:
- ^ "Jon Fonlayson-Trivia". IMDB.com
- ^ https://must.unimelb.edu.au/1956/01/31/up-and-atom-1956-2/
- ^ https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/camino-real/
- ^ https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/a-good-nights-sleep/
- ^ https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/a-good-nights-sleep/
- ^ https://www.ozrockyhorror.com/Programme%2002%20Adelaide.html
- ^ https://camhigh.exstudents.org/jon-finlayson/
- ^ https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/9293
External links
edit- Jon Finlayson at IMDb
- "Vale Jon Finlayson". tvtonight.com.au
- "Jon Finlayson". rottentomatoes.com