★★★★★ 0/5

6:30 takes time for Jon Blake

6:30 with George Negus features a moving story on actor Jon Blake, set for stardom until a road accident left him with permanent brain damage.

53
Leave a comment

Monday night’s episode of 6:30 with George Negus featured a story on actor Jon Blake.

Blake was a handsome, rising star in the 1980s set for stardom when a tragic road accident during filming of The Lighthorsemen left him with permanent brain damage.

It remains one of the most tragic showbusiness tales of the last few decades.

Blake had previously featured in television dramas including The Restless Years and the ANZACS miniseries.

But as if his disability wasn’t enough, Blake has had to endure unbelievable hardships during the years that followed.

Anglea Bishop presented a moving story on 6:30 in which a former actor finally gets some better quality of life thanks to the devotion of his son Dustin -and at long last he sees his movie on the big screen.

53 Responses

  1. thanks david posting story as I did also missed the program
    the programy did have gaps of interest regarding the whole story
    maybe there was some editing done before hand and didnt make it too air
    I still remember what had happen to him in 1986 and to this day if this accident
    did not occur he would have been acting along side mel gibson if not have a lead role in his own movie that is true.
    it is good news that his son and his wife are looking after him.

    Geoff
    Nsw

  2. I remember Jon (Sonny as he was known back then) on The Restless Years and thought he was absolutely gorgeous. I was so devastated when the accident occurred and have wondered over the years what had become of him. It was great to have the story on 6:30 with George Negus but would love to see a more in depth documentary on what has happened from the accident until now.

  3. I agree with comment by Jennifer (6) – useless story ! I met John Blake years ago. but the story was a waste of time – like Jennifer said: who knows the whole story.
    Like:
    where was the son all these years ?
    Why was he kept in a darkened room ?
    Who was the doctor and where did he come into the whole story ?
    i thought I must have missed something, but two of my friends said the same thing.
    the only mention of a darkened room in the past was in an article (i googled) in which John had been kidnapped !
    Anyway, just for the record; John Blake was a lovely person. He took time out to chat to me for a few minutes when I was an extra in one of his movies.

  4. Jon was a hero of mine growing up.I have often thought about him since the accident and wondered how he was.Now I know that he is in good hands with a son who clearly loves him very much.Jon still has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen,somethings dont change.

  5. @ Jennifer, I agree with you. I’d like to see Australian Story cover the subject and give us all the answers. It makes me so sad when I wonder what is going on in Jon Blake’s head, like is he aware of what has happened etc. An absolute tragedy.

  6. Thanks for this article David – makes you think doesn’t it?
    It’s a crime to waste a single day of health when you see people struggling against the odds like that.
    I do completely agree with @Jennifer though – it was a poor piece of reporting that leaves many questions unanswered.

  7. I remember Jon from The Restless Years & The Lighthorsemen.
    It was so sad what happened to him.
    I’m glad he has people around him who care for him.
    My prayers go to him & his family.

  8. I also saw this story & it made me deeply sad & angry that he was taken advantage of like that, that doctor deserves lynching. Anyway people have mentioned ‘the Lighthorsemen’ whilst they may not be aware of another movie he starred in just before that (but released after it according to imdb.com) called ‘Running From the Guns’, its a classic Aussie crime caper starring legends such as Gerard Kennedy, Terry Donovan, Gus Mecurio, Bill Kerr & Toni Lamond. Unfortunately its not available on dvd, i was lucky enough to find a vhs of it on ebay, its a classic crying out for a dvd release, anyway just thought id mention it.

  9. What utterly useless reporting. What Dustin is wonderfully commendable, but the story seems to assume that we already know what went before. ?? What happened to the $7 million? Why did Jon Blake’s mother not renovate the house for him? Why did she keep him in a darkened room and a virtual prisoner in this house? Why did she leave the house to a virtual stranger? What on earth was wrong with this woman? Why did this so-called former doctor, or whatever he is/was order Dustin out of the house? Who allowed the renovations that did not benefit him to be made out of Jon Blake’s money? How did Dustin eventually sell the house if it wasn’t theirs to sell after being left to this so-called doctor? ?????

  10. watched the story this morning on the 9am news and was more than touched – his son is amazing and deserves to be recognised for holding in there to do the right thing for his father

  11. Thanks for the story on Jon. I too was a big fan and also shed some tears. I followed his story when his mother cared for him. Glad it has a happy ending.

  13. I’m too young to know him and his story, but the story last night was great, and even though i didn’t know his before this, i was still a little teary. Just an example of the higher quality 6.30 is compared to the trash on Seven and Nine. Really hope people make the switch

  14. Yep, difficult and emotional viewing. I had a king sized crush on Jon (Sonny Blake) as he was first known on the Restless Years, during my own restless years and other than his physical attributes, he went on to display some star power and strong screen presence. It is truly one of the most tragic local showbiz stories. Thank goodness he did bear a son when he himself was so young, and that his offspring has shown great heart and maturity to handle such a heavy load. His mother, despite it seems poor judgement towards the end of her life, was a stoic and tireless carer of her son. The story could have honoured her more, but it is current affairs and the wrongs were more newsworthy it seemed.

  16. Thanks to George and Ch.10 for this story…..
    I was totally shocked to realise how John has been living….
    Really glad things have improved now…better late than never…*sigh*

    1. Neilo: Embedding = I can put the html code into the story which allows the clip to play within my site. This differs from some network sites which don’t offer embedding and means in order for me to show you the clip I have to give a link to an exterior site. Most YouTube users offer embedding for their clips. Networks that don’t offer embedding are limiting their social media opportunities. US networks sorted this years ago….

  18. Such a sad story, it was hard to see Jon in that condition. I remember at the time of the accident he was in a relationship with a blonde Aussie actress, can’t remember her name, but she was devastated at the time.

  19. A really sad story but so lucky for Jon that he has a son to look after him. There didn’t seem to be a mention of his sons mother but Jon must have been pretty young when his son was born.

  20. I wondered what was going to happen to Jon after his mother died.
    Such a shame that after years fighting for compensation & against the Guardianship Board that his mother seems to have been taken advantage of.

  21. it was a very sad story i am currently having a complete series run of a country practice and just last week i reached his second guest role in ACP where he played police constable Steve vargus he is such a talented actor it was such a shame that this hapend to him and now he has been ripped off by the dodgy doctor

    why do TT and ACA continue to rate so well what is wrong with australia when they watch sh*t like ACA and TT when there now is a good alternative with George on at the same time in the words of Darryn hinch shame shame shame

  22. What a nice ending to a nightmare for Jon and his family. I hope he will now be happy with his son and be a peace. In my thoughts and prayers, great story I hope he will still get support from people who know and love him.

  23. I watched this story and it was ausome but it also illustrated the loops in the system which can be expoited by anyone and anyone can be hurt and taken advantage of. It just so happens that the victim in this place was a once famous actor. Still a very good story, the other 2 shows could learn a thing or two.

Leave a Reply