Jack Thompson (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Thompson
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Thompson in 2020
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John Hadley Pain
31 August 1940 Manly, New South Wales, Australia
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Agent | DPN |
| Spouse(s) | Leona King |
| Children | 2 |
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John Hadley Thompson AM (born John Hadley Pain on August 31, 1940) is a famous Australian actor. He is a major star in Australian movies, especially during a time called the Australian New Wave.
Thompson is known for starring in classic Australian films like The Club (1980), Sunday Too Far Away (1975), and The Man from Snowy River (1982). He won awards at the famous Cannes Film Festival for his acting. Many people also know him for playing Cliegg Lars in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
In 2005, he was given a Living Legend Award at the Inside Film Awards for his amazing career.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jack Thompson was born John Hadley Pain in Manly, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. When he was five, his mother passed away. His father, who was in the air force, could not care for him and his brother. They were sent to an orphanage.
Later, he was adopted by the poet John Thompson and his wife, Pat. He then changed his last name to Thompson. He went to Sydney Boys High School but left when he was 14. He worked as a jackaroo (a trainee farm worker) and did other laboring jobs. At age 20, he joined the Australian Army in 1960.
Acting Career
Starting on Stage and TV
After his time in the army, Thompson decided to study at the University of Queensland. He started acting in plays at night and discovered he had a talent for it.
He decided to become a professional actor and soon got roles on TV. He appeared in popular Australian shows like Skippy, Homicide, and Matlock Police. From 1971 to 1973, he starred in the spy TV series Spyforce, where he played a secret agent during World War II.
Becoming a Movie Star
Thompson's first big movie role was in Petersen (1974). The movie was a hit and made him a star in Australia. He then starred in Sunday Too Far Away (1975), playing a sheep shearer. This film is now considered an Australian classic.
He became famous for playing strong, "macho" characters. One of his most famous roles was as Clancy in The Man from Snowy River (1982). He also won awards for his role as a lawyer in the historical movie Breaker Morant (1980).
International Success
His success in Australia led to roles in movies around the world. He acted alongside David Bowie in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983). He also appeared in the action movie Flesh + Blood (1985).
One of his most well-known international roles was in the Star Wars universe. He played Cliegg Lars, the stepfather of Anakin Skywalker, in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002).
Later Career
In his later career, Thompson became a respected character actor. This means he played interesting supporting roles rather than the main hero. He appeared in many big movies.
Some of his famous later films include:
- The Sum of Us (1994), where he played Russell Crowe's father.
- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997), directed by Clint Eastwood.
- Australia (2008), with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
- The Great Gatsby (2013), with Leonardo DiCaprio.
He has also continued to act in Australian TV shows, including Rake and Devil's Playground.
Personal Life
In 1963, Thompson married Beverley Hackett. They had a son named Patrick. The marriage ended after five years. Later, he began a relationship with Leona King, and they had a son named Billy.
In 2008, Thompson was on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he learned about his family history. He discovered that his great-grandfather was a sea captain and that another relative donated an important historical journal to a library in Sydney.
Selected Film and TV Roles
Here are some of Jack Thompson's most notable roles:
- Spyforce (1971-1973) as Erskine
- Sunday Too Far Away (1975) as Foley
- Breaker Morant (1980) as Major J.F. Thomas
- The Man from Snowy River (1982) as Clancy
- Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) as Group Capt. Hicksley
- The Sum of Us (1994) as Harry Mitchell
- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) as Sonny Seiler
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) as Cliegg Lars
- Australia (2008) as Kipling Flynn
- The Great Gatsby (2013) as Dr. Walter Perkins
- High Ground (2020) as Moran
Awards and Honors
- 1975 AFI Award: Best Actor, for Sunday Too Far Away and Petersen
- 1980 AFI Award: Best Actor in a Lead Role, for Breaker Morant
- 1980 Cannes Film Festival: Best Supporting Actor, for Breaker Morant
- 1986 Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his work in the film industry.
- 1994 AFI Award: Raymond Longford Award for his lifetime contribution to film.
- 2005 Inside Film Awards: Living Legend IF Award
- 2011 Inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame.
Poetry Recordings
Jack Thompson loves poetry and has recorded albums of himself reading famous Australian poems. He has recorded the works of poets like Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. He says he wants to show that poetry is for everyone. Some of his albums include:
- The Bush Poems of A.B. (Banjo) Paterson (2008)
- The Campfire Yarns of Henry Lawson (2009)
- The Sentimental Bloke, The Poems of C.J. Dennis (2009)
- Favourite Australian Poems (2010)
See also
In Spanish: Jack Thompson para niños
