John Blackman, a radio and television personality from Australia, has died at age 76. John was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery to remove part of his jaw. Johna cherished voice in Australian media. Channel Nine and 3AW confirmed the entertainer’s death, describing him in a statement as “a cherished voice in Australian media.”
Who Was John Blackman?
John Blackman was an Australian radio and television presenter, voice-artist, comedy writer, and author. He was most widely known for his voice-over work for the long-running Nine Network comedy variety show Hey Hey It’s Saturday from 1971 until 1999, then returning for the reunion specials in 2009 and 2021, with a brief relaunch in 2010.
John Blackman Biography
Blackman grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley, where he attended Syndal Primary School until 1959 and completed year 10 at Syndal Technical School in 1963. He was an avid supporter of the Fitzroy Football Club, now the Brisbane Lions. On leaving school (and home) at 16, he worked in a succession of occupations: customs clerk, cash van salesman for a cigarette distributor, sales representative for a perfume company, and spruiker in the Myer Bargain Basement. At the age of 22, he decided on a career in radio.
He famously voiced the character Dickie Knee, who popped up in front of the presenters of the show to crack jokes. Blackman was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery to remove part of his jaw.
Tribute to Blackman
Fellow radio host Derryn Hinch has paid tribute to Blackman, saying he was shocked and saddened by his death. “He handled his illnesses so bravely. We had some huge rows but he was the fastest ad lib man ever. Vale,” Hinch tweeted. Blackman’s former co-star on Hey Hey, Livinia Nixon, said he was an extremely supportive figure in the industry. “I’m just heartbroken for his wife and Tiffany, his daughter, and everyone that he looked after because even though he had so much on his plate in the last few years, healthwise, he was the backbone of that family,” she said.
