John Jarratt

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John Jarratt
John Jarratt (Man Of Steel red carpet movie premiere, Sydney).jpg
Jarratt at the Sydney premiere of Man of Steel , 24 June 2013
Born (1952-08-05) 5 August 1952 (age 72) [1]
Wongawilli, New South Wales, Australia
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film producer
  • film director
  • TV presenter
Years active1975–present

John Jarratt (born 5 August 1952 [1] ) is an Australian television film actor, producer and director and TV presenter who rose to fame through his work in the Australian New Wave. He has appeared in a number of film roles including Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Summer City (1977), The Odd Angry Shot (1979), We of the Never Never (1982), Next of Kin (1982), and Dark Age (1987). He portrayed the antagonist Mick Taylor in the Wolf Creek franchise. He voiced the protagonist's father, Jack Hunter, in an audio drama adaptation of The Phoenix Files . He is also known for his recurring role in the drama series McLeod's Daughters .

Contents

Early life

Jarratt was born in what was then a small coal-mining village, now the Wollongong suburb of Wongawilli, New South Wales, where he would grow up, before the family later moved to the Snowy Mountains area. [2] His father was a coal miner, and later a concreter working on the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Jarratt comes from a family of Irish Catholic descent; however, his patrilineal ancestor George Jarratt, born 1833, came from Croxton in Cambridgeshire, England. George's son John married Mary Kelly from Ireland. On the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? , Jarratt confirmed that his great-great-grandfather was Chinese. [3] While in high school, Jarratt directed and acted in a school play which was a great success and led to his school principal recommending that he pursue an acting career. As a young boy, he enjoyed recreational activities such as knitting and sewing, particularly making scarves for his school peers. [2]

Career

Early work

Jarratt graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1973. His screen debut was in The Great Macarthy (1975). He also appeared in Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Summer City (1977) with Mel Gibson. Jarratt had the lead role in the 1979 miniseries The Last Outlaw playing Ned Kelly. He played a major supporting role as a young Australian soldier in Vietnam War movie The Odd Angry Shot (1980) and We of the Never Never (1982). In the late 1980s, Jarratt recognised he had a problem with binge-drinking and related violence. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organisation in which he continues to be active. [2]

Television

In the 1990s, Jarratt was a presenter on the lifestyle show Better Homes and Gardens with then-wife Noni Hazlehurst. He had guest roles in Inspector Morse , Police Rescue , Blue Murder , Water Rats and Blue Heelers in the 1990s and 2000s. He joined the cast of McLeod's Daughters in 2001, and left the show in 2006. In 2010, Jarratt appeared in a commercial for Husqvarna, where he proved the tools' efficiency by playing his character in Wolf Creek . In May 2013, Jarratt filmed a guest star role in the third instalment of the ABC telemovie series, Jack Irish: Dead Point. [4] In 2016, the Wolf Creek web television series debuted on Stan. The series saw Jarratt reprise his role as Mick Taylor. A second series aired in 2017. [5] [6]

Return to cinema

In 2005, Jarratt had a major role in the Australian film Wolf Creek , playing the villain Mick Taylor. [7] In 2007, he appeared in two films, Rogue and The Final Winter . Jarratt also had a small role in the 2008 film, Australia , as a soldier. In 2008, Jarratt launched his own film production company, Winnah Films. Winnah's first feature film, Savages Crossing (originally carrying the working title Flood) went into principal photography outside Ipswich, Queensland in February. In 2009, he appears as the father of a teenage girl via phone in Telstra's "Next G" commercials. [8]

In 2010, Jarratt starred in the exploitation film, Bad Behaviour , written and directed by Joseph Sims. [9] In the same year, Jarratt also had a role in the supernatural horror movie Needle . He made a cameo in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained in 2012, appearing as an employee of the Le Quint Dickie Mining Company alongside Tarantino himself, both appearing with Australian accents. In February 2013, Jarratt reprised his role as Mick Taylor, filming the Wolf Creek sequel, Wolf Creek 2 , with Matt Hearn producing and Greg McLean directing. The film was released on 20 February 2014. [10] In January 2014, Jarratt starred in and co-directed the romantic comedy thriller StalkHer ; the film met with mixed reviews. [11]

In April 2022, after a series of delays, some linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, another film, Wolf Creek 3, was in the development phase, specifically, location scouting. [12] It is set to be directed by Rachele Wiggins and written by Duncan Samarasinghe with Greg McLean as producer. In 2021, Altitude Film Distribution was scheduled to distribute in the United Kingdom, however this was abandoned. [13] Jarratt will reprise his role as Taylor. The premise is "An American family takes a dream trip to the Australian outback and soon draws the attention of notorious serial killer Mick Taylor. A hellish nightmare ensues as the couple's two children escape only to be hunted by Australia's most infamous killer." [14] In 2022, Wolf Creek 3 was set to be released, with the tagline "There Will be Blood". [15] On 30 August 2024, it was announced a new reboot for the franchise will begin filming in early 2025 titled as Wolf Creek: Legacy with Jarratt set to return and reprise the role and Sean Lahiff as new director. [16]

Other work

Jarratt returned to audio drama work, after working for the ABC in the 1970s to co-star in Benjamin Maio Mackay's adaptation of The Phoenix Files in 2017. The first two instalments were released across 2017 and 2018, but Jarratt is no longer listed as being involved with the project. [17]

Personal life

Jarratt has been married four times. First to Rosa Miano, then to actress Noni Hazlehurst, then Jody Jarratt, and again to Rosa Miano. [18] His children with his second wife, Noni, are all named after characters Jarratt has portrayed in his films. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting bones on his farm in Wollongong. [19] On 1 October 2015, Jarratt released his autobiography, The Bastard from the Bush. [20]

In August 2007, Jarratt filed a lawsuit against the Seven Network over a story which ran on the current affairs show Today Tonight . He claimed the story defamed him. The story told of Jarratt in a dispute with his tenant and how he had made attempts to intimidate and evict the tenant. [21] The story accused Jarratt of echoing his character Mick Taylor from the film Wolf Creek in his intimidation, described an answering machine message left by him to his tenant saying "I have always been a winner—a winner". A lawyer for Seven told the court that the story had not portrayed Jarratt as a "psychopathic killer". The case was adjourned until 12 October 2007. [22]

On 25 August 2018, Jarratt was charged with rape after a woman came forward to report an alleged incident in 1976. [23] Jarratt pleaded not guilty. After a five-day trial, he was found not guilty on 5 July 2019. [24] After his acquittal, Jarratt launched a lawsuit against The Daily Telegraph over their reporting of his case. He dropped the case after a month, but then restarted it after the Telegraph posted an article saying that he "got away with rape". The suit was settled out of court on 22 December 2019, with the Telegraph posting an apology on its website. [25]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1975 The Great Macarthy MacarthyFeature film
Picnic at Hanging Rock Albert CrundallFeature film
1977 Summer City SandyFeature film
The Sound of Love DavidTV film
1978 Blue Fin Sam SnellFeature film
Little Boy Lost Vic TannerFeature film
1979 The Odd Angry Shot BillFeature film
1982 We of the Never Never DandyFeature film
Next of Kin BarneyFeature film
Fluteman FlutemanFeature film
1984 The Settlement Tommy MartinFeature film
Chase Through the Night ClurryTV movie
1985 The Naked Country Mick ConradFeature film
1986 Australian Dream ToddFeature film
1987 Dark Age Steve HarrisFeature film
1988 Top Enders JackTV movie
1993 Joh's Jury KevTV movie
1995 All Men Are Liars BarryFeature film
1996 Dead Heart CharlieFeature film
2005 Wolf Creek Mick TaylorFeature film
2007 Rogue RussellFeature film
The Final Winter ColgateFeature film
2008 Australia SergeantFeature film
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! HimselfDocumentary
2010 Needle Paul the CoronerFeature film
Bad Behaviour RickyFeature film
2011Savages CrossingPhilFeature film
2012 Django Unchained Le-Quint Dickey Mining Company EmployeeFeature film
Shiver Franklin RoodFeature film
2013 Wolf Creek 2 Mick TaylorFeature film
100 Bloody Acres BurkeFeature film
2014 Jack Irish: Dead Point Sen. Sgt Laurie OlsenTV movie
2015FrenzyBenjiman LightbrigerFeature film
StalkHer JackFeature film
Also co-director [11]
Produced by OZPIX (Jarratt is a part-owner) [26]
2018 Boar KenFeature film
2022The Wild One James Morrill Release due July/August [27]
2025Wolf Creek: LegacyMick TaylorFeature film – In development

Television

YearFilmRoleNotes
1976 The Outsiders BobbyTV series
1977 The Young Doctors Ben StoneTV series
1980 The Last Outlaw Ned Kelly Miniseries
1987 Fields of Fire JackoMiniseries
1988 Fields of Fire II Miniseries
1989 Fields of Fire III Miniseries
1989 Tanamera – Lion of Singapore Neil ForbesTV miniseries
1991 Inspector Morse Sergeant Scott HumphriesTV series,
Season 5, episode 5: Promised Land
1994 Blue Heelers Charlie GloverTV series,
Season 1, episode 19: Good Cop, Bad Cop
1995 Police Rescue Guest roleTV series
1995 Blue Murder Guest roleTV series
1995–98 Better Homes and Gardens PresenterTV series
2000 Water Rats Guest roleTV series
2001–06 McLeod's Daughters Terry DodgeTV series; Seasons 1–6 (recurring, 100 episodes)
2016–17 Wolf Creek Mick TaylorTV series; Seasons 1–2 (main role, 12 episodes)
2020SirenNaval GuardTV series
2022-present Darby and Joan Bill CarltonTV series
2023 Faraway Downs SergeantTV series:6 episodes

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References

  1. 1 2 "John Jarratt". IMDb .
  2. 1 2 3 "Interview with John Jarratt". Australian Story . 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Dolle, Kiri Ten. "John Jarratt uncovers skeletons in family's closet". Sunshine Coast Daily .
  4. ↑ Jarratt digs in his nice heels | The Age 7 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013
  5. ↑ Thomas, Sarah (19 October 2015). "Wolf Creek TV adaptation under way with John Jarratt, Lucy Fry and Deborah Mailman". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. ↑ Bullock, Andrew (2 October 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: 'Evil never dies' Wolf Creek to return for second season AND third film". Express . Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "BBC - Movies - interview - John Jarratt". www.bbc.co.uk .
  8. ↑ "Wolf at the Door". 24 October 2005 – via www.abc.net.au.
  9. ↑ Moore, Debi (27 March 2013). "Hannibal Cooks Up Some New Stills from Episode 1.02 – Amuse-Bouche". Dread Central .
  10. ↑ Outback serial killer takes the Mickey | The Age 9 February 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013 Archived 5 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  11. 1 2 Bochenski, Natalie (27 January 2014). "Wolf Creek star directing new thriller on Gold Coast". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "Wolf Creek 3 is definitely happening, director Rachele Wiggins assures". 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (21 June 2021). "Altitude Boards Sales For 'Wolf Creek 3,' Launch Set for Cannes Market". Variety.com . Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Wolf Creek 3 is definitely happening, director Rachele Wiggins assures". 26 April 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "2022 Horror Sequel Prequels". Screen Rant . 12 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Horror Franchise 'Wolf Creek' Getting Third Movie In Which American Tourists Are Hunted In The Outback; 2025 Shoot Planned & John Jarratt Back As Killer Mick Taylor — TIFF Market". Deadline . 30 August 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  17. ↑ "The Phoenix Files". Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  18. ↑ "Meet John Jarratt's ex-wives, including the woman he married twice!". www.nowtolove.com.au. 23 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "John Jarratt - Interview : Wolf Creek : Movies : Entertainment : Web Wombat". www.webwombat.com.au.
  20. ↑ Jameson, Julietta (21 August 2015). "Five places that made me: Actor John Jarratt". Traveller.com.au. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Jarratt sues Channel Seven over 'killer portrayal'". ABC News. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  22. ↑ Braithwaite, Alyssa (14 August 2007). "John Jarratt sues Today Tonight". The Courier-Mail . Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  23. ↑ "John Jarratt, Wolf Creek star, charged over rape allegation from 1970s". ABC News. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  24. ↑ "Actor John Jarratt found not guilty of rape". The Guardian . Australian Associated Press. 5 July 2019 – via www.theguardian.com.
  25. ↑ Whitbourn, Michaela (22 December 2019). "John Jarratt settles defamation case against The Daily Telegraph". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  26. ↑ Russo, Caroline (15 August 2014). "John Jarratt to direct and act in GC film Stalkher". Hush Hush Biz. Hush Hush Gossip. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  27. ↑ Huntsdale, Justin (3 May 2022). "Filmmaker Nathan Colquhoun captures sailor James Morrill's fight for Indigenous rights". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 2 May 2022.
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