Australian actor Jack Thompson was born John Hadley Payne on August 31, 1940 in Manly, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney. Outside of Oz, he is best known for his appearances in _The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith . 'Breaker' Morant in which he played a military defense attorney defending three soldiers accused of murder during the Boer War, won him internationally renown. Thompson was cited as Best Supporting Actor at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Australian Film Institute's Best Actor award for the role. In the early part of his career, Thompson balanced a career with the United Nations with his acting: The acting won out. At 65 years old, his career has been recognized by the Critics Circle of Australia, which awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award, and by the Cinema Owners Association of Australia, which gave him its Award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Film Entertainment. Thompson lived for a while in a menage a trois with his wife Leona King, by whom he has a son, and her sister Bunkie. Though the living arrangement came to an end after several years, Thompson has no regrets, saying "I wouldn't have missed it for quids." He was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the film industry.
Educated at the University of Queensland.
Adopted brother of television presenter and producer Peter Thompson.
Father of Patrick Thompson.
First establishing himself in a number of Australian television series ( "Spyforce" ) in the early 1970s, he later was honored with the Order of Australia for his contributions to the Australian film industry and has been Australians Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations for a number of years.
In 1994, the Film Critics Circle of Australia named him Best Actor for his work as a father adjusting to his gay son in The Sum of Us opposite Russell Crowe.
Veteran Australian leading character star whose versatile skills earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Best Actor award from the Australian Film Institute for his performance in Bruce Beresford s internationally acclaimed film Breaker Morant .
He was awarded the AM (Member of the Order of Australia) in the Queens Birthday Honours List on June 9, 1986 for his services to the film industry.
Made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) .
He was awarded a star on the Australian Film Walk of Fame on March 13, 2011.
(January 2009) Currently lives in Ulong, New South Wales, Australia.
Attorney.
Video games critic.
Inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2014 (inaugural class).
Growing up, Thompson moved around a lot, living in New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
