Australian actor Jack Thompson, born John Hadley Payne on August 31, 1940, in Manly, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, has had a remarkable career spanning many decades.
Outside of Australia, he is best known for his appearances in The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978),Breaker Morant (1980),The Man from Snowy River (1982),Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997),and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002).
His portrayal of a military defense attorney in Breaker Morant, in which he defended three soldiers accused of murder during the Boer War, earned him international recognition and accolades. He was cited as Best Supporting Actor at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Australian Film Institute's Best Actor award for his role.
In the early part of his career, Thompson balanced his acting career with his work for the United Nations. However, his acting career ultimately took precedence.
At the age of 65, 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 has also been open about his unconventional living arrangement with his wife Leona King, her sister Bunkie, and himself. Although the arrangement ended after several years, Thompson has no regrets, stating, "I wouldn't have missed it for quids."
For his services to the film industry, Thompson was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in the 1986 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
