| Matthew Newton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 January 1977 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Years active | 1987 – |
| Parents | Bert Newton, Patti Newton |
Matthew Newton (born 22 January 1977) is an Australian stage and screen actor. Born in Melbourne, he is the son of television personalities, Bert and Patti Newton, brother of Lauren Newton, brother-in-law of Matt Welsh and uncle to Sam Albert and Eva Eunice Newton Welsh.
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Newton has performed in Australia and abroad on stage, television and movies. In 1992, he starred in Late For School, a drama series that aired briefly on Channel Ten. Over the next few years, Newton had guest roles in various shows. In 2000, he starred alongside with Pia Miranda in the film adaptation of the popular teen novel Looking For Alibrandi. Probably his most recognisable international role was in the American science fiction show Farscape (2001) as the character Jothee, or as the vampire Armand in Queen of the Damned (in 2002).
In 2002, Newton was nominated for a Logie Award for his role in the television series Changi.
In 2004, Newton directed, wrote and starred in his first feature film, Right Here, Right Now. The film was produced with private funding and was selected to screen in a few festivals. In 2005, Newton starred in The Surgeon that aired on Channel Ten.
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.
In 2008 he was reportedly close to being cast for a role as a gangland figure in the first season of Underbelly but did not get the role.[1] He went on to appear in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities as protagonist Terry Clark, portraying the New Zealand crime syndicate boss.
Also in 2009, Newton wrote, directed and starred in the feature Three Blind Mice which made its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the Critics Prize at the 2008 London Film Festival.
In 2010, Newton was announced as the host of the Australian version of The X Factor on the Seven Network. However, in August 2010 following two domestic violence incidents involving girlfriend Rachael Taylor at a hotel in Rome, Newton had to quit The X Factor due to 'medical advice'.[2]
In 2011, Newton will star in Face to Face, an independent Australian film directed by Michael Rymer.
On 15 January 2007, Newton was sacked from his new role at Nova. He had recently been signed to co-host The Matt and Boothy Show with comedian Akmal Saleh in the prime time drive shift on Fridays.[3] The Daily Telegraph confirmed that Newton announced the radio station had released him from his contract, reportedly worth up to $200,000 a year.[4]
The station suspended his involvement in the broadcasts, which were due to begin on 15 January, after allegations were made public that he had assaulted Brooke Satchwell. Australian TV Actress Kate Ritchie replaced him at Nova.[5]
In 2006, Newton appeared on the New Years Eve 2006 episode of The Big Night In with John Foreman on Network Ten in which he engaged in simulated sex acts and other suggestive activity as well as bad language. The Daily Telegraph reported his antics and the station received criticism from outraged viewers who complained the show was "sub-standard coverage" and "the worst ever".[6]
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 16 October and charged with intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over incidents alleged to have occurred on 13 September and 6 October. Reportedly, Newton repeatedly punched her in the head on more than one occasion and attempted to gouge her eyes and face. He denied the charges. A court hearing took place in his absence on 17 January 2007.[7][8] Following a not guilty plea, presented by solicitor Chris Murphy, his matter was adjourned until 31 January.[9]
Newton was originally charged with four offences, but on 21 May 2007 a court heard he would 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.[10][11] 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.[12] 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.[13]
In July 2007, Newton was successful in having the conviction overturned. Solicitor Chris Murphy tendered a letter from Dr Robert Hampshire, Newton's psychiatrist, which outlined his depressive illness and stated he was unlikely to reoffend. Judge Joseph Moore 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, "The way in which he has been given particular media attention has acted as a considerable measure of punishment."[14]
In November 2009, Newton's hotel room in Kings Cross, Sydney was trashed after the GQ Men's Award Night in Sydney. According to media reports, the damage to the room was over $9,000. The room was booked in the name of his then girlfriend Rachael Taylor and he departed the next day without checking out. Sydney Police investigated the matter but no charges were laid.[15]
One day later Newton made news headlines when he caused panic among airline staff and passengers by departing an aircraft before the doors were closed. The incident was reported widely in the Australian media.[15]
In December 2009, Newton made headlines again after complaining about his hotel room in the country town of Mildura.[16]
In August 2010 following two domestic violence incidents involving girlfriend Rachael Taylor at a hotel in Rome, Taylor took out an Apprehended Violence Order against him.[2] The media also reported his heavy use of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and ice at this time.[17]
In February 2011, Newton was charged with breaching the terms of his Apprehended Violence Order.[2] He was released on bail and ordered to appear in Court in March 2011.[18]
It is alleged that Newtown assaulted a taxi driver twice in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest on December 4, 2011. He has been charged with common assault and is due to appear in court in January 2012. [19]