# Jon Finlayson > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jon_Finlayson > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jon_Finlayson.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Finlayson > Source revision: 1357217749 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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](/source/Coburg%2C_Victoria), Australia | death_date = {{death date and age|2012|9|12|1938|3|23|df=yes}} | death_place = [Fitzroy, Victoria](/source/Fitzroy%2C_Victoria), Australia | education = [Camberwell High School](/source/Camberwell_High_School) | family = Clorine Finlayson (mother)
Ron Finlayson (father)
Rhonda Finlayson (sister)
Bruce Finlayson (brother)
[Alexandra Schepisi](/source/Alexandra_Schepisi) (niece)
Zoe Schepisi (niece){{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](/source/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}} | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|screenwriter|producer|director|singer}} | years_active = 1946–2012 }} '''Jon Douglas Finlayson''' (23 March 1938–12 September 2012) was an Australian stage and screen character actor, radio performer, writer, director, producer and singer{{cite web|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla-1675688|title=Finlayson, Jon ( -2012)|work=TROVE NLA}} ==Early life== Jon Finlayson was born in [Coburg, Victoria](/source/Coburg%2C_Victoria) to Clorine and Ron Finlayson. When he was about age 8 the family moved to [Burwood](/source/Burwood%2C_Victoria) where he attended Hartwell Primary School and [Camberwell High School](/source/Camberwell_High_School).{{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}} His performing career began at about the same time when he toured Australia with the [Australian Boys' Choir](/source/Australian_Boys'_Choir) as a soprano. ==Career== Finlayson was known for his roles in the films ''[Lonely Hearts](/source/Lonely_Hearts_(1982_film))'' (1982) and ''The Magic Show'' (1983). He was also well-known from his numerous television roles, such as Colonel Archibald Spencer in ''[Zoo Family](/source/Zoo_Family)'' (1985) and as James Gleeson in ''[Snowy River: The McGregor Saga](/source/Snowy_River%3A_The_McGregor_Saga)'' (1995–1996). He wrote sketches for ''[The Mavis Bramston Show](/source/The_Mavis_Bramston_Show)''.Knox, David."[http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/vale-jon-finlayson.html Vale: Jon Finlayson"] TV Tonight. 13 September 2012 He was noted for his hospitality as well as his 'Sunday Soirees' in the Melbourne show business community."[http://issuu.com/mediaflash/docs/ob_19sep12_cz Vale Jon Finlayson]" Melbourne Observer. 19 September 2012. Part C. Pages 37-52: Finlayson directed, produced, and co-wrote (with Gary Down) ''The Glitter Sisters.'' ==Death== Finlayson died of [prostate cancer](/source/prostate_cancer) aged 74, on 12 September 2012 at [St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne](/source/St_Vincent's_Hospital%2C_Melbourne){{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](/source/The_Age)|date=4 October 2012}} ==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 1973 || ''[Alvin Purple](/source/Alvin_Purple)'' || Liz's Lawyer || Feature film |- | 1974 || ''[Alvin Rides Again](/source/Alvin_Rides_Again)'' || The Magician || Feature film |- | 1975 || ''[The Great Macarthy](/source/The_Great_Macarthy)'' || Vincent || Feature film |- | 1975 || ''The Devil in Evening Dress'' || Federici || Feature film |- | 1976 || ''[Mad Dog Morgan](/source/Mad_Dog_Morgan)'' || Extra || Feature film |- | 1976 || ''[The Sentimental Bloke](/source/The_Sentimental_Bloke_(1961_musical))'' || Mr Smithers || Feature film |- | 1982 || ''[Lonely Hearts](/source/Lonely_Hearts_(1982_film))'' || George || Feature film |- | 1983 || ''The Magic Show'' || Van Zyskin || Feature film"[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0130103/trivia Jon Fonlayson-Trivia]". IMDB.com |- | 1984 || ''[Skin Deep](/source/Skin_Deep_(1984_film))'' || Simpson Byrne || TV movie |- | 1984 || ''[My First Wife](/source/My_First_Wife)'' || Bernard || Feature film |- | 1984 || ''[Melvin, Son of Alvin](/source/Melvin%2C_Son_of_Alvin)'' || Burnbaum || Feature film |- | 1988 || ''[Evil Angels](/source/Evil_Angels_(film))'' || Professor Boettcher || Feature film |- | 1989 || ''[Darlings of the Gods](/source/Darlings_of_the_Gods)'' || Tyrone Guthrie || TV movie |- | 1990 || ''[A Kink in the Picasso](/source/A_Kink_in_the_Picasso)'' || Lionel || Feature film |- | 1996 || ''[The Inner Sanctuary](/source/Inner_Sanctuary)'' || Archbishop Clarke || (final film role) |} ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 1962 || ''[Personally Yours](/source/Personally_Yours)'' || Himself || TV series |- | 1967 || ''[Hey You!](/source/Hey_You!_(TV_series))'' || Basil || TV series, episode 6: "The Party" |- | 1967 || ''[Australian Playhouse](/source/Australian_Playhouse)'' || || TV play, season 2, episode 9: ''[The Heat's On](/source/The_Heat's_On_(Australian_Playhouse))'' |- | 1970 || ''[The Long Arm](/source/The_Long_Arm_(TV_series))'' || || TV series, episode 6: "The Flight of the Chicken" |- | 1970–1975 || ''[Homicide](/source/Homicide_(Australian_TV_series))'' || Karl Arnsen / Bill Sellars / Rupert Morgan / Tibby Hayes || TV series, 4 episodes |- | 1971–1974 || ''[Division 4](/source/Division_4)'' || Jonathan Gramophone / Wayne Fraser / Denver Philips / Richard Barry / Mr Hall || TV series, 5 episodes |- | 1972 || ''[Matlock Police](/source/Matlock_Police)'' || Alex Bell / Brendan || TV series, season 2, 2 episodes |- | 1973 || ''[Ryan](/source/Ryan_(TV_series))'' || Smith || TV series, episode 16: "Nobody's Perfect" |- | 1975 || ''[Cash and Company](/source/Cash_and_Company)'' || Travers Lewis || Miniseries, episode 4: "Golden Girl" |- | 1975 || ''[The Last of the Australians](/source/The_Last_of_the_Australians)'' || Mr Flannagan || TV series, season 2, episode 2: "The Compleat Works" |- | 1979 || ''[Skyways](/source/Skyways_(TV_series))'' || Bruno || TV series, season 1, episode 43: "Flight 89" |- | 1979–1980 || ''[Cop Shop](/source/Cop_Shop)'' || Maurice Pearson / Leslie Sampson || TV series, 3 episodes |- | 1984 || ''[Special Squad](/source/Special_Squad_(Australian_TV_series))'' || Devonport || TV series, episode 11: "The Set-Up" |- | 1984 || ''[Carson's Law](/source/Carson's_Law)'' || David Spencer || TV series, 6 episodes |- | 1985 || ''[Zoo Family](/source/Zoo_Family)'' || Colonel Archibald Spencer || TV series, 26 episodes |- | 1985–1986 || ''[Neighbours](/source/Neighbours)'' || Brian Hanson / Audition Director || TV series, 3 episodes |- | 1989 || ''[Space Knights](/source/Space_Knights_(TV_series))'' || Sir Ralph Retro || Puppetry TV series |- | 1989 || ''[The Power, The Passion](/source/The_Power%2C_The_Passion)'' || William Somerset || TV series |- | 1991 || ''[The Flying Doctors](/source/The_Flying_Doctors)'' || Specialist || TV series, season 8, episode 9: "Swinging on the Rope" |- | 1991 || ''[Boys from the Bush](/source/Boys_from_the_Bush)'' || Travel Agent || TV series, 2 episodes |- | 1993 || ''[Newlyweds](/source/Newlyweds_(TV_series))'' || Photographer || TV series, season 1, episode 2: "The Wedding Machine" |- | 1995–1996 || ''[Snowy River: The McGregor Saga](/source/Snowy_River%3A_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](/source/University_of_Melbourne){{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}} |- | 1957 || ''[Camino Real](/source/Camino_Real_(play))'' || Jacques Casanova || [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne){{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}} |- | 1957 || ''[The Matchmaker](/source/The_Matchmaker_(play))'' || Rudolph || [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne) |- | 1957 || ''Speak of the Devil'' || || [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne) |- | 1958 || ''[Lola Montez](/source/Lola_Montez_(musical))'' || Mac || [University of Melbourne](/source/University_of_Melbourne) |- | 1958 || ''[Bells are Ringing](/source/Bells_Are_Ringing_(musical))'' || || [Princess Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1959 || ''[Auntie Mame](/source/Auntie_Mame_(play))'' || || [Theatre Royal, Adelaide](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Adelaide), [Theatre Royal Sydney](/source/Theatre_Royal_Sydney) with [J. C. Williamson](/source/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](/source/Lock_Up_Your_Daughters_(musical))'' || || [Princess Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Melbourne), [Palace Theatre, Sydney](/source/Palace_Theatre%2C_Sydney), [Theatre Royal, Adelaide](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Adelaide), [Capitol Theatre, Perth](/source/Capitol_Theatre%2C_Perth) |- | 1962 || ''[Outrageous Fortune](/source/Outrageous_Fortune_(play))'' || Presenter / Performer || [Arrow Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Arrow_Theatre) |- | 1962 || ''[The Fantasticks](/source/The_Fantasticks)'' || The Old Actor || [Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Russell_Street%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1963 || ''[The Man Who Came to Dinner](/source/The_Man_Who_Came_to_Dinner)'' || || [Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Russell_Street%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1964 || ''Who's for Culture'' || || [National Theatrette, Melbourne](/source/National_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1966 || ''[Robert and Elizabeth](/source/Robert_and_Elizabeth)'' || A Pickpocket || [Princess Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Melbourne), [Tivoli Theatre, Sydney](/source/Tivoli_Theatre%2C_Sydney) |- | 1968 || ''Razza-Ma-Tazz (and All That Jazz)'' || The Ponce || Southland Auditorium, Melbourne with Southland Theatre Company |- | 1970 || ''[Enter a Free Man](/source/Enter_a_Free_Man)'' || || [St Martins Theatre, Melbourne](/source/St_Martins_Youth_Arts_Centre) |- | 1971 || ''[The School for Scandal](/source/The_School_for_Scandal)'' || || [Theatre Royal, Hobart](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Hobart) |- | 1972 || ''[The Wakefield Plays](/source/Wakefield_Mystery_Plays)'' || || [Hobart City Hall](/source/Hobart_City_Hall) |- | 1972 || ''Don't Walk Around Stark Naked'' || Ventroux || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne{{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}} |- | 1972|| ''Patrick Pearse Motel'' || || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne{{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}} |- | 1972 || ''Fortune and Men's Eyes'' || Queenie || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1973 || ''[Cowardy Custard](/source/Cowardy_Custard)'' || || St Martins Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1973 || ''[Jesus Christ Superstar](/source/Jesus_Christ_Superstar)'' || King Herod || Sydney |- | 1975 || ''[The Magic Show](/source/The_Magic_Show)'' || Feldman || [Princess Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1976 || ''Crossing Niagara'' || || [Victorian College of Arts, Melbourne](/source/Victorian_College_of_the_Arts) with [MTC](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company) |- | 1976 || ''Arden'' || || [Russell Street Theatre](/source/Russell_Street_Theatre) with [MTC](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company) |- | 1977 || ''Ashes'' || Doctor / Seminologist ('Guru') / Gynaecological Surgeon / Ambulance Driver / Area Adoptions Officer || [Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Russell_Street_Theatre) with [MTC](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company) |- | 1977 || ''[The Rocky Horror Show](/source/The_Rocky_Horror_Show)'' || Frank-N-Furter || Warner Theatre, Adelaide with [Harry M. Miller](/source/Harry_M._Miller){{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}} |- | 1979 || ''No Room for Sentiment'' || || [ABC Radio Hobart](/source/ABC_Radio_Hobart) |- | 1979 || ''[Knock, Knock](/source/Knock_Knock_(play))'' || || [ABC Radio Hobart](/source/ABC_Radio_Hobart) |- | 1985 || ''[Trumpets and Raspberries](/source/Trumpets_and_Raspberries)'' || Inspector || [Playhouse, Melbourne](/source/Arts_Centre_Melbourne) with [MTC](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company) |- | 1989 || ''Better Known as Bee'' || || [Comedy Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Comedy_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) with Global Consolidated |- | 1993 || ''A Matinee Season with Noel Coward without Noel Coward'' || || [Playhouse, Melbourne](/source/Arts_Centre_Melbourne), Australian tour, [Melbourne Zoo](/source/Melbourne_Zoo) |- | 1997 || ''Underneath the Arches'' || || Victorian regional tour |- | 1997 || ''Mad Dogs and Finlayson'' || || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |- | 1997 || ''[Aladdin](/source/Aladdin_(play))'' || || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |- | 1998 || ''[The Piccadilly Bushman](/source/The_Piccadilly_Bushman)'' || Vincent Franklin || [Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Malthouse_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) with [Playbox Theatre Company](/source/Playbox_Theatre_Company%2C_Melbourne) |} ===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](/source/Outrageous_Fortune_(play))'' || Co-writer / Producer || [Arrow Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Arrow_Theatre) |- | || ''[Slings & Arrows](/source/Slings_%26_Arrows)'' || Co-writer || [Arrow Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Arrow_Theatre){{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}} |- | 1962 || ''Don't Make Waves'' || Writer / Wardrobe Designer / Producer || [Arrow Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Arrow_Theatre) |- | 1963 || ''Where Do We Go From Here?'' || Creator || [St Martins Theatre, Melbourne](/source/St_Martins_Youth_Arts_Centre) |- | 1963 || ''To Hell With Culture'' || Playwright || [National Theatrette, Melbourne](/source/National_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1967 || ''Nothing To Do With It'' || Director || 27A Theatre, Melbourne |- | 1971 || ''[Orpheus in the Underworld](/source/Orpheus_in_the_Underworld)'' || Director || [Theatre Royal, Hobart](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Hobart), [Princess Theatre, Launceston](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Launceston) with The Theatre Royal Light Opera Company |- | 1972 || ''The Computer'' / ''Love Travelling Salesman'' || Director || AMP Theatre, Adelaide |- | 1972 || ''[The Beggar’s Opera](/source/The_Beggar%E2%80%99s_Opera)'' || Director || [Theatre Royal, Hobart](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_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](/source/Twelfth_Night_Theatre) |- | 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](/source/Monash_University) with The Alexander Theatre Company |- | 1975–1979 || ''The Glitter Sisters'' || Director || Chevron Hotel, Melbourne, Oscar's Hollywood Palace Theatre Restaurant, Sydney, [Theatre Royal, Hobart](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Hobart), [Civic Theatre, Burnie](/source/Burnie_Theatre), [Princess Theatre, Launceston](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Launceston), Melbourne |- | 1976 || ''[Pirates at the Barn](/source/Pirates_at_the_Barn)'' || Director || [Princess Theatre, Melbourne](/source/Princess_Theatre%2C_Melbourne) |- | 1977 || ''The Fall Guy'' || Choreographer || [Russell Street Theatre](/source/Russell_Street_Theatre) with [MTC](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company) |- | 1979 || ''[The New Moon](/source/The_New_Moon)'' || Director || [Theatre Royal, Hobart](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_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](/source/Arts_Centre_Melbourne), Australian tour, [Melbourne Zoo](/source/Melbourne_Zoo) |- | 1997 || ''Mad Dogs and Finlayson'' || Devisor || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |- | 1997 || ''Come Up and See Me Sometime'' || Director || Capers Cabaret, Melbourne |} {{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}} ==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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jon Finlayson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Finlayson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Finlayson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.