{{short description|Australian actor (1938–2012)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}

{{Infobox person | name = Jon Finlayson | image = JonFinlaysonPic.jpg | caption = | birth_name = Jon Douglas Finlayson | birth_date = {{birth date|1938|3|23|df=yes}} | birth_place = Coburg, Victoria, Australia | death_date = {{death date and age|2012|9|12|1938|3|23|df=yes}} | death_place = Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia | education = Camberwell High School | family = Clorine Finlayson (mother)<br>Ron Finlayson (father)<br>Rhonda Finlayson (sister)<br>Bruce Finlayson (brother)<br>Alexandra Schepisi (niece) <br>Zoe Schepisi (niece)<ref>{{cite web |last=Schepisi |first=Alexandra |date=2012-10-04 |title=Versatile actor, singer and raconteur |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/versatile-actor-singer-and-raconteur-20121003-26zst.html |website= The Sydney Morning Herald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610001905/https://www.smh.com.au/national/versatile-actor-singer-and-raconteur-20121003-26zst.html |archive-date=2025-06-10}}</ref> | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|screenwriter|producer|director|singer}} | years_active = 1946&ndash;2012 }}

'''Jon Douglas Finlayson''' (23 March 1938–12 September 2012) was an Australian stage and screen character actor, radio performer, writer, director, producer and singer<ref name="NLA">{{cite web|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla-1675688|title=Finlayson, Jon ( -2012)|work=TROVE NLA}}</ref><ref name="Camberwell High"/>

==Early life== Jon 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.<ref name="Camberwell High">{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Jon Finlayson Actor, writer, director, producer and singer |url=http://chessmoves.com/2013/03/13/jon-finlayson/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323070913/https://chessmoves.com/2013/03/13/jon-finlayson/ |archive-date=March 23, 2016 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Camberwell High School Ex Students Society}}</ref><ref name=death/> His performing career began at about the same time when he toured Australia with the Australian Boys' Choir as a soprano.<ref name=death/>

==Career== Finlayson 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''.<ref>Knox, David."[http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/vale-jon-finlayson.html Vale: Jon Finlayson"] TV Tonight. 13 September 2012</ref> He was noted for his hospitality as well as his 'Sunday Soirees' in the Melbourne show business community.<ref name=Observer>"[http://issuu.com/mediaflash/docs/ob_19sep12_cz Vale Jon Finlayson]" Melbourne Observer. 19 September 2012. Part C. Pages 37-52:</ref>

Finlayson directed, produced, and co-wrote (with Gary Down) ''The Glitter Sisters.''<ref name="Camberwell High" />

==Death== Finlayson died of prostate cancer<ref name=Observer/> aged 74, on 12 September 2012 at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne<ref name=death>{{cite news|last=Schepisi|first=Alexandra|title=Versatile actor, singer and raconteur|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/obituaries/versatile-actor-singer-and-raconteur-20121003-26zst.html|accessdate=23 June 2013|newspaper=The Age|date=4 October 2012}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film=== {| class="wikitable" ! 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<ref>"[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0130103/trivia Jon Fonlayson-Trivia]". IMDB.com</ref> |- | 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=== {| class="wikitable" ! 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'' || Sir Ralph Retro || Puppetry TV series |- | 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==

===As actor=== {|class=wikitable ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue / Co. |- | 1956 || ''Up and Atom'' || || University of Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |title=Up and Atom – 1956 {{!}} Melbourne University Student Theatre Archive |url=https://must.unimelb.edu.au/1956/01/31/up-and-atom-1956-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418013408/https://must.unimelb.edu.au/1956/01/31/up-and-atom-1956-2/ |archive-date=2025-04-18 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=must.unimelb.edu.au |language=en-AU|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 1957 || ''Camino Real'' || Jacques Casanova || University of Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camino Real |url=https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/camino-real/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219203955/https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/camino-real/ |archive-date=2024-12-19 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Theatregold |language=en}}</ref> |- | 1957 || ''The Matchmaker'' || Rudolph || University of Melbourne |- | 1957 || ''Speak of the Devil'' || || University of Melbourne |- | 1958 || ''Lola Montez'' || Mac || University of Melbourne |- | 1958 || ''Bells are Ringing'' || || Princess Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1959 || ''Auntie Mame'' || || Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson |- | 1960 || ''Frenzy'' || || National Theatre, East Melbourne |- | 1960 || ''Festival Faces Intimate Revue'' || || Willard Hall, Adelaide with Independent Repertory Incorporated |- | 1961 || ''Lock Up Your Daughters'' || || Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Palace Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal, Adelaide, Capitol Theatre, Perth |- | 1962 || ''Outrageous Fortune'' || Presenter / Performer || Arrow Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1962 || ''The Fantasticks'' || The Old Actor || Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1963 || ''The Man Who Came to Dinner'' || || Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1964 || ''Who's for Culture'' || || National Theatrette, Melbourne |- | 1966 || ''Robert and Elizabeth'' || A Pickpocket || Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Tivoli Theatre, Sydney |- | 1968 || ''Razza-Ma-Tazz (and All That Jazz)'' || The Ponce || Southland Auditorium, Melbourne with Southland Theatre Company |- | 1970 || ''Enter a Free Man'' || || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1971 || ''The School for Scandal'' || || Theatre Royal, Hobart |- | 1972 || ''The Wakefield Plays'' || || Hobart City Hall |- | 1972 || ''Don't Walk Around Stark Naked'' || Ventroux || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Good Night's Sleep |url=https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/a-good-nights-sleep/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614021817/https://theatregold1.mybigcommerce.com/a-good-nights-sleep/ |archive-date=2025-06-14 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Theatregold |language=en}}</ref> |- | 1972|| ''Patrick Pearse Motel'' || || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Martin's Theatre : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3467236013/findingaid#nla-obj-3467249063 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601115540/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3467236013/findingaid#nla-obj-3467249063 |archive-date=2026-06-01 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Trove |language=en}}</ref> |- | 1972 || ''Fortune and Men's Eyes'' || Queenie || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1973 || ''Cowardy Custard'' || || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1973 || ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' || King Herod || Sydney |- | 1975 || ''The Magic Show'' || Feldman || Princess Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1976 || ''Crossing Niagara'' || || Victorian College of Arts, Melbourne with MTC |- | 1976 || ''Arden'' || || Russell Street Theatre with MTC |- | 1977 || ''Ashes'' || Doctor / Seminologist ('Guru') / Gynaecological Surgeon / Ambulance Driver / Area Adoptions Officer || Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne with MTC |- | 1977 || ''The Rocky Horror Show'' || Frank-N-Furter || Warner Theatre, Adelaide with Harry M. Miller<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programme Adelaide 02 |url=https://www.ozrockyhorror.com/Programme%2002%20Adelaide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426033954/https://www.ozrockyhorror.com/Programme%2002%20Adelaide.html |archive-date=2023-04-26 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.ozrockyhorror.com}}</ref> |- | 1979 || ''No Room for Sentiment'' || || ABC Radio Hobart |- | 1979 || ''Knock, Knock'' || || ABC Radio Hobart |- | 1985 || ''Trumpets and Raspberries'' || Inspector || Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC |- | 1989 || ''Better Known as Bee'' || || Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with Global Consolidated |- | 1993 || ''A Matinee Season with Noel Coward without Noel Coward'' || || Playhouse, Melbourne, Australian tour, Melbourne Zoo |- | 1997 || ''Underneath the Arches'' || || Victorian regional tour |- | 1997 || ''Mad Dogs and Finlayson'' || || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |- | 1997 || ''Aladdin'' || || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |- | 1998 || ''The Piccadilly Bushman'' || Vincent Franklin || Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne with Playbox Theatre Company |}

===As director / producer=== {|class=wikitable ! 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<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jon Finlayson – Camberwell High School Ex Students Society |url=https://camhigh.exstudents.org/jon-finlayson/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260117160604/https://camhigh.exstudents.org/jon-finlayson/ |archive-date=2026-01-17 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=camhigh.exstudents.org |language=en-AU}}</ref> |- | 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 |} <ref>{{Cite web |title=Jon Finlayson |url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/9293 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251127085751/https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/9293 |archive-date=2025-11-27 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=ausstage.edu.au |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|0278008|Jon Finlayson}} *"[http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/vale-jon-finlayson.html Vale Jon Finlayson]". tvtonight.com.au *"[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jon_finlayson/ Jon Finlayson]". rottentomatoes.com

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Finlayson, Jon}} Category:1938 births Category:2012 deaths Category:Australian male film actors Category:Australian male stage actors Category:Australian male television actors Category:Australian television writers Category:Male actors from Melbourne Category:Australian male television writers