Matthew Newton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matthew Newton

Born 22 January 1977 (1977-01-22) (age 31)
Melbourne, Australia
Years active 1987 – present

Matthew Joseph Newton (born 11 May 1977) is an Australian stage and screen actor. Born in Melbourne, Victoria, he is the son of Australian television personalities, Bert Newton and Patti Newton, and brother to Lauren Newton.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Matthew went to Xavier College in Melbourne, Australia. He was most interested in the performing arts. Graduated from NIDA in 1998 with a degree of Performing Arts (Acting).

[edit] Acting

Matthew has performed in Australia and abroad on stage, in TV and movies, including co-starring with Pia Miranda in the film adaptation of the popular teen novel, Looking For Alibrandi (2000). Probably his most recognisable international role was in the American science fiction show Farscape as the character Jothee, or as the vampire Armand in Queen of the Damned.

In 2002, Matthew was nominated for a Logie Award for his role in the television series Changi.

In 2006, he appeared in the first and second seasons of improvisation comedy show Thank God You're Here. Newton also starred in a TV series for TV1 called Stupid, Stupid Man set in the office of a fictional men's magazine called COQ where he plays Nick Driscoll, the features writer.

[edit] Radio career

Newton was sacked from his new role at Nova on 15 January 2007 which had recently signed on Newton to co-host the Matt and Akmal Show with comedian Akmal Saleh in the prime time drive shift on Friday. The Daily Telegraph had confirmed that Newton had announced the radio station had released him from his contract, reportedly worth up to $200,000 a year.[1]

The station suspended his involvement in the broadcasts, which were due to begin on 15 January, after allegations were made public that Newton had assaulted Brooke Satchwell.

[edit] Controversies

In 2006, Newton appeared on NYE 2006/7 episode of The Big Night In with John Foreman on Network Ten which he engaged in simulated sex acts, other suggestive activity as well as bad language. The Daily Telegraph reported on his antics and the programme received criticism and outrage from viewers as "sub-standard coverage" and "the worst ever."[2]

In 2006, Newton split with long time girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell. The relationship with Satchwell ended on bad terms, leading to Newton being arrested on October 16, 2006 and charged with intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over incidents alleged to have occurred on September 13, 2006 and October 6, 2006. Reportedly Newton repeatedly punched her in the head on more than one occasion and attempted to gouge her eyes and face. He had denied the charges. A court hearing took place in his absence on January 17, 2007.[3][4] Following a not guilty plea, presented by solicitor Chris Murphy, his matter was adjourned until 31 January 2007.[5]

Newton had since started dating Gracie Otto (daughter of Australian actor Barry Otto).[6]

Newton was originally charged with four offences, but a court on 21 May 2007 heard he will plead guilty to just one count of common assault – with police agreeing to drop counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking and intimidating Satchwell, intending to cause her to fear physical or mental harm.[7][8]. On 12 June, Newton appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the one count of common assault and was put on a 12 month good behaviour bond.[9] Magistrate Paul Cloran, who recorded the conviction against Newton, acknowledged that the actor was of good character but felt compelled to record a conviction. Newton received strong support from friends, family and work colleagues who believed the incident with Satchwell to be entirely out of character.[10]

In July 2007, Newton was successful in having the conviction overturned. The judge said "It does not in any way lead the court to give special consideration to his case because he is a person of high profile," referring to Newton's celebrity status and that "The way in which he has been given particular media attention has acted as a considerable measure of punishment." [11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bert Newton backs son Matt | NEWS.com.au Entertainment
  2. ^ Ten's smutty party an insult
  3. ^ Owens, Warren. "Newton charged with Satchwell assault", The Sunday Telegraph, 2007-01-14. Retrieved on 2007-01-14. 
  4. ^ Browne, Rachel; Hall, Louise. "Bert's boy charged with bashing actress", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2007-01-14. Retrieved on 2007-01-14. 
  5. ^ Jacobsen, Geesche (17 January 2007). Newton case 'minor' compared with Iraq. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 2007-01-17.
  6. ^ "Newton bins Brooke for Otto", Sydney Confidential, The Australian, 2007-01-08. Retrieved on 2007-01-14. 
  7. ^ "Newton girl-bash charges cut", The Sunday Telegraph, 2007-05-21. Retrieved on 2007-05-21. 
  8. ^ "3 Matthew Newton charges dropped, lawyers say", ABC News Online, May 21, 2007. 
  9. ^ "Newton pleads guilty to assault", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-06-12. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. 
  10. ^ "Newton to appeal good-behaviour bond", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-06-12. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. 
  11. ^ "Outrage at court's star treatment", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-07-18. Retrieved on 2007-07-25. 

Soon he will appear in may 2008 as Russell O'Toole on the Australian Soap, Home and Away.

[edit] External links