Indigenous actor, musician, artist and activist Uncle Jack Charles has died at the age of 79.
His publicist confirmed Tuesday morning that Charles suffered a stroke and died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Beloved Boon Ulun, Ja Jar Ulun, Woi Ulun and Yorta Yorta elders said goodbye to their families in a smoking ceremony at the hospital.
“We are so proud of all that he has achieved in his amazing life: elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, fame and voice that is loved by all,” the statement said. said.
“He will live on in our hearts and memories and through his numerous film and stage roles.”
Rapper Briggs tweeted, “I’ve never met such a warm, funny and friendly soul.” “Uncle Jack & Uncle Arch [Archie Roach] They will be good companions wherever they are. ”
I met Uncle Jack Charles doing Cleverman. You’d never have met a more warm, funny & friendly soul. Uncle Jack & Uncle Arch gonna be in good company wherever they’re at. pic.twitter.com/qhBCc5qkgN
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) September 13, 2022
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I met Uncle Jack Charles, who is Cleverman. I have never met a more warm, funny and friendly soul than she is. Uncle Jack and Uncle Arch are good friends wherever they are. pic.twitter.com/qhBCc5qkgN
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) September 13, 2022
Actor David Wenham described him as “a great actor, a great social activist, a great human being”. Singer and actor David Campbell called him a “true Australian legend”.
Vale Jack Charles, great actor, great social activist, great human being
— David Wenham (@WenhamDavid) September 13, 2022
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Vallee Jacques Charles, great actor, great social activist, great human being
— David Wenham (@WenhamDavid) September 13, 2022
Vale Jack. What a true Australian legend. My thoughts to his family and the entire community. Celebrated Indigenous actor Jack Charles dies aged 79 – The Age https://t.co/NlFiAqVMtj
— David Campbell OAM (@DavidCampbell73) September 13, 2022
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Vale Jack. A true Australian legend. My thoughts to his family and the entire community. Famous Aboriginal actor Jack Charles dies at 79 – The Age https://t.co/NlFiAqVMtj
— David Campbell OAM (@DavidCampbell73) September 13, 2022
Magda Szubanski wrote that she was devastated to hear the news. “He was the best player ever and this is a huge loss. Rip my darling.” Author Anita Heiss wrote: “The beauty of your spirit and the storytelling.” Talent will live forever.”
Green party leader Adam Band also paid tribute on Twitter. What a storyteller. Unforgettable wit, energy, generosity and courage. ”
Just devastated to learn that Uncle Jack Charles has died.
My heart goes out to his family, friends and all First Nations people.
He was just the absolute best and this is such a loss
RIP my darling
— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) September 13, 2022
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I am just devastated to learn that Uncle Jack Charles has passed away.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all indigenous peoples.
he was the absolute best and this is such a loss
RIP my darling— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) September 13, 2022
Vale Uncle Jack Charles.
The beauty of your spirit and the gift of your storytelling will live on forever.
🖤💛♥️ https://t.co/D2uYj1iqEJ
— Prof Anita Heiss AM (@AnitaHeiss) September 13, 2022
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Born in 1943, Charles was a survivor of the stolen generation. On the Guardian Australia podcast The Full Story, he talks about his birth: [My mother] succeeded in sneaking me out [of hospital]”
Four months later he was recovered by the state and taken to the city mission, where he lived until he was two years old. He was then transferred to a juvenile detention center, where he was subjected to child sexual abuse.
In April of this year, Charles was the first witness to tell his story before the Indigenous Truth Commission in Victoria. He was the only Indigenous child in his home and grew up believing he was an orphan. told the commission.
At the age of 17, he received word that his mother was alive and living in Swan Hill. When he broke the news to his foster parents, he was taken out of foster care and placed in juvenile detention. “I remember him crying to sleep,” he recalls.
Charles endured multiple incarceration for robbery and drug offenses in his youth, and at times struggled with heroin addiction and embraced his sexuality.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian Australia, he said he had avoided prison cells for over a decade. I knew I had knowledge to share,” he said.
In 1971, Charles co-founded Australia’s first Aboriginal theater group, Nindetana, at the Plum Factory in Melbourne with Bob Maza.
“Once the industry realized that Aborigines were playing Aborigines, they had to stop making whites black to play Aborigines,” he said in a recent video for NITV. “This was a big wake-up call for the art industry.”
The following year he lost the role of Aboriginal detective Bonnie in the Australian television series of the same name.
For over 50 years, Charles has made a name for himself in films such as The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Bedevil, Blackfellas, Tom White and Pan.
Most recently, he has appeared in the horror drama series Wolf Creek, the ABC television drama series Cleverman, and the ABC comedy Preppers.
In 2015, he was named Victorian Senior Australian of the Year. That night, he was refused a ride home from the Docklands unless he prepaid the taxi driver.
Two years ago, he called a taxi driver in Sydney to take Charles to a performance at the Belvoir Theatre.
Charles continued until his death to advocate for the rights of young Indigenous peoples in custody.
In 2019, Charles called on the Victorian Government to establish a local Indigenous Community Center to address increased detention of Indigenous young men. “We need to stop the flow of young people into our jails and prisons,” he said. It’s intimidating, and it’s hard to reach out to people who are angry with the system and the police.”
In 2014, Charles became the first Aboriginal to receive the Green Room Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2019, he was awarded his Red Ocher Award by the Australia Council in recognition of his lifetime achievement.
His memoir – Jack Charles: Born-Again Blakfella – will be published in 2020 and co-written with Namila Benson.
At Naidok Week in July, I was elected Male Elder of the Year.
On Tuesday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney sent a statement of condolences to the media.
“Uncle Jack Charles was a groundbreaking storyteller and activist who brought people together with his warmth and grace, never being ashamed of his past and who he was.”[He] He has provided many Australians with an opportunity to see the enduring pain of a stolen generation survivor, inspiring others with his strength and resilience of character. ”
Marcus Stewart, Co-Chair of the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, said Uncle Jack left a strong and powerful legacy of overcoming trauma, loss and pain with humor, grace and resilience. lived a wonderful life,” said Nila Ilim Buruk of the Taunglung tribe. “They couldn’t hold him back. He faced every difficulty and overcame every challenge thrown at him.”
The Guardian has permission to use his name and image.
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