Beloved Aboriginal Australian actor and major proponent of Indigenous theatre, Uncle Jack Charles, has passed away at the age of 79.
Warning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: this article contains the name and images of someone who has died. His family has given permission to use his name and image.
Charles was reported to have died peacefully on Tuesday at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a stroke.
Being a victim of the Stolen Generations, Charles was taken away from his mother when he was four months old, to be “assimilated” into a white family. Jack then went on to spend his early years in state care, where he was subjected to physical and sexual abuse.
He would later speak on how the trauma of his childhood led him to actions that saw him spending the next five decades in and out of prison. Jack Charles was a prime example of the state’s complete failure at serving its Indigenous citizens.
Discovering his passion for life, acting, was Jack Charles’ saving grace, “In a way it saved me,” he said in an interview with a Victorian inquiry earlier this year.
His family also gave a statement on his passing.
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The Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta elder led a “remarkable life”, they said in a statement.
“We are so proud of everything he has achieved… Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Charles “leaves a joyous legacy”.
Nakkiah Lui said he was “true royalty”, adding: “It was an honour to know you, work with you, call you my uncle and friend.”
Later in life, Charles became an advocate for Aboriginal prisoners.
“I’ve been an actor since I was 19, but I lost a lot of work because of white powders and jail time,” he said in 2019.
“I dearly would’ve loved an Aboriginal elder like me to come and tweak my conscience.
“I’ve had the breaks in my life – now I want to make sure other young Indigenous kids get theirs.”
