​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jack Thompson, AM (born 31 August 1940) is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at the University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). He is best known as a lead actor in several acclaimed Australian films including such classics as Wake in Fright (1971), Sunday Too Far Away (1975), The Man from Snowy...