
Person
Jon Finlayson
Acting · 1938–2012
Biography
Jon Douglas Finlayson (23 March 1938 - 12 September 2012) was an Australian stage and screen character actor and writer, director, producer and singer He was known for his roles in the films Lonely Hearts and The Magic Show. At the age of eight, Jon began his long career in the performing arts, touring all over Australia for many years as a boy soprano for the Australian Boys Choir. He was actively involved in theatre throughout school and, as a teenager, began performing weekly on The Fakermagangees, the long-running children's radio serial on 3DB. This was followed by many other Australian radio dramas over the years. After matriculating Finlayson threw himself into amateur theatre productions for some years. He spent many years performing in musicals at the Comedy Theatre, Her Majesty's, the Princess and Russell Street Theatre, including The Fantasticks, Robert and Elizabeth, Bells Are Ringing, For Amusement Only, Lock Up Your Daughters and Auntie Mame. 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. He was noted for his hospitality as well as his 'Sunday Soirees' in the Melbourne show business community.
Known for

The Flying Doctors
Specialist

The Man from Snowy River
James Gleeson

Zoo Family
Col. Archibald Spencer

Evil Angels
Professor Boettcher

My First Wife
Bernard
Girl Toy
1984

Alvin Purple
Liz's Lawyer

Skin Deep
Simpson Byrne

Alvin Rides Again
The Magician

Melvin, Son of Alvin
Burnbaum
Filmography
- 1994The Man from Snowy RiverJames Gleeson
- 1990A Kink in the PicassoLionel
- 1988Evil AngelsProfessor Boettcher
- 1986The Flying DoctorsSpecialist
- 1985Zoo FamilyCol. Archibald Spencer
- 1984Melvin, Son of AlvinBurnbaum
- 1984My First WifeBernard
- 1984Girl Toy
- 1983The Magic ShowVan Zyskin
- 1983Skin DeepSimpson Byrne
- 1982Lonely HeartsGeorge
- 1974Alvin Rides AgainThe Magician
- 1973Alvin PurpleLiz's Lawyer
Follow their work on Vescene
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.