Dean Daley-Jones is an Australian actor who played the lead role in the 2010 film Mad Bastards which was directed by Brendan Fletcher. He had a supporting role in Ivan Sen's 2011 film, Toomelah. He has also had roles in Australian television series Redfern Now and The Gods of Wheat Street.

Dean Daley-Jones
Born
Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present

Background

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Dean Daley Jones is a member of the Nyoongar tribe.[1]

Daley-Jones had had trouble with the law which was evident in his late 20s. In 2007 and aged in his mid 30s, he moved to Broome to get a new start. He then began his quest to change things in his life and was working as a builder's laborer. One day he found out about a "Blackfella" film being made in the area and he showed up for a job as a crewman.[2] He started off with him doing manual work carrying and move equipment. He gave an account of his own life story to contribute to the film Mad Bastards, and ended up getting the lead role.[3] The character he played in the film, TJ wasn't too far from the man he used to be. He had anger issues due to the way his people were treated. He didn't always deal with situations in the right way.[4] He was aware of the impact and the message portrayed in the film and who it can reach.[5]

Daley-Jones ended up being a mentor to Aboriginal prisoners. It started when Lea McKay, the coordinator of Aboriginal prison services watched Mad Bastards and seeing Daley-Jones in it she knew she had to get hold of him. As a result he visited Casuarina Prison to talk to Aboriginal prisoners about breaking the crime cycle.[6]

Film career

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In Mad Bastards he plays the part of TJ, who is the father of a boy who has had trouble with the law. The boy's grandfather (played by Greg Tait) is the local policeman Texas . He sends him to a camp for a couple of weeks. TJ and Texas eventually clash physically.[7][8] He was interviewed by Onya Magazine about his work in the film.[9]

He had a role in the 2011 film, Toomelah which was directed by Ivan Sen. In the film he plays the part of Bruce a gang leader.[10] Also that year, "Walk Tall, Stand Strong'" was released. Part of the sixth season of Deadly Yarns, he both wrote and directed the documentary short.[11]

In Redfern Now he played the part of a tough late 30s, Aboriginal man Indigo who is released from jail for killing a man in a street fight. He has to deal with certain personal issues, one of which is his thoughts on his wife's fidelity.[12]

He had a role in the 2018 film, Flotsam Jetsam which was directed by Banjo Fitzsimon and featured other actors, Michael Gupta, Richard Green (XXIV), Hunter McMahon, Geraldine Hakewill and Sean Barker.[13]

Filmography

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Film
Title Role Director Year Notes
Mad Bastards TJ Brendan Fletcher 2010 [14]
Toomelah Bruce Ivan Sen 2011
Satellite Boy Dave Catriona McKenzie 2012
Convict Tony David Field and George Basha 2014
Flotsam Jetsam Stevie Banjo Fitzsimon 2018
Television shows
Title Episode Role Director Year Notes
Redfern Now "Sweet Spot" Indigo Leah Purcell 2012
Redfern Now "Starting Over" Indigo Rachel Perkins 2013
The Gods of Wheat Street "The Mighty Are Fallen" Jimmy McIntyre Wayne Blair 2014
Documentary etc.
Title Role Director Year Notes
Walk Tall Stand Strong Director and writer Dean Daley-Jones 2011 Short
Toomelah: Behind the Scenes Self 2012 Video short documentary
Toomelah: Interview with Director Ivan Sen Self 2012 Video documentary short
1st AACTA Awards TJ / self Simon Francis 2012

Further reading

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References

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