Few film characters still spark the kind of unease that Mick Taylor from Wolf Creek does, and that’s partly because John Jarratt plays him so well. But the man behind the machete has a life story that goes far beyond the outback horror — a career stretching back to the Australian New Wave and a marriage that ended in very public allegations.
Age: 71 (born 5 August 1952) ·
Net Worth: Estimated $1 million ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Known For: Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek ·
Spouse: Noni Hazlehurst (1987–1997)
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth (estimates range from $1M to $3M)
- Whether John Jarratt is “nice” (subjective, no consensus)
- Full details of the split beyond Noni’s account
- Number of marriages (sources conflict: some say 4, others fewer)
- 2023: Woman’s Day article by Noni Hazlehurst details allegations (New Idea)
- Continues acting in film and TV (Now To Love, Australian entertainment weekly)
- Active on Instagram (@realjohnjarratt) (Now To Love, Australian entertainment weekly)
Six key biographical facts, one pattern: the public record is thin on dates and thick on conflicting accounts.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Jarratt |
| Date of Birth | 5 August 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director, TV presenter |
| Years Active | 1970s–present |
| Notable Work | Wolf Creek, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Django Unchained (cameo) |
What is John Jarratt doing now?
Upcoming projects
- Jarratt continues to take film and television roles, though specific upcoming titles are not widely publicised.
- He occasionally appears at fan conventions and horror festivals (WYZA, lifestyle site for over-50s).
Recent public appearances
- Jarratt is active on Instagram under the handle @realjohnjarratt, where he posts about his career and personal life.
The pattern: his career has shifted from leading roles to cult status appearances.
How old is John Jarratt?
Birth date and place
- John Jarratt was born on 5 August 1952 in Wollongong, New South Wales, according to IMDb (industry database). A Spanish-language Wikipedia entry lists 5 August 1951 and Wongawilli, NSW, but that source is considered less reliable.
Early life
- He rose to prominence through work in the Australian New Wave era. His first film role was in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) (Famous Birthdays, celebrity reference).
The date conflict between English and Spanish Wikipedia entries (1952 vs 1951) shows how even basic biographical facts can be muddied when sources aren’t cross-checked. For this article, we rely on the English Wikipedia and IMDb, which agree on 1952.
The implication: even seemingly simple facts require source verification.
Was John Jarratt married to Noni Hazlehurst?
Duration of marriage
- Yes, John Jarratt was married to Noni Hazlehurst, a well-known Australian television presenter and actress. The marriage lasted about a decade, from 1987 to 1997, according to Now To Love (Australian celebrity site). Another account from OverSixty (lifestyle outlet for seniors) says 1987 to 1999, while IMDb lists 1988 to 1999.
Children
- They have two sons together, named Charlie and William (Now To Love).
What this means: the public record on marriage duration is contradictory.
Why did Noni and John split?
Noni Hazlehurst’s account
- In a 2023 Woman’s Day article titled “How I learnt the truth about my husband”, Noni Hazlehurst detailed the end of their marriage and alleged domestic violence (New Idea, Australian women’s magazine).
What happened to John Jarratt and Noni Hazlehurst?
- Jarratt himself said in 2005 that the marriage ended because the couple grew in different directions. The split was made more public because they co-hosted Better Homes and Gardens together in the 1990s (Wikipedia).
The only detailed account of the split comes from Noni Hazlehurst’s 2023 article. John Jarratt has not publicly addressed the specific allegations, leaving a one-sided record that makes it impossible to draw a balanced conclusion.
The catch: without Jarratt’s response, the full story remains incomplete.
Where is Wolf Creek filmed?
Filming locations in Australia
- Wolf Creek was filmed in South Australia, specifically around the Flinders Ranges and the outback (IMDb, film industry database).
Setting vs real location
- The fictional Wolf Creek crater is based on a real meteorite crater, the Wolfe Creek Crater in Western Australia.
The film’s location is a blend of real geography — the Flinders Ranges stand in for the outback — and a fictionalised version of a real crater, which adds to the eerie authenticity of the setting.
The pattern: the film uses real landmarks to enhance its horror.
Is John Jarratt nice?
Public perception
- Opinions vary widely. Some fans describe him as friendly and approachable at conventions, while others cite the domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife.
Interviews and reputation
- No definitive public consensus exists. His portrayal of the sadistic Mick Taylor has blurred the line between actor and character in the public imagination (WYZA).
The implication: the actor’s public image is split between his on-screen persona and personal controversies.
Timeline of key events
- 1952 – Born in Wollongong, Australia.
- 1975 – Appeared in Picnic at Hanging Rock (Famous Birthdays).
- 1987 – Married Noni Hazlehurst (Now To Love).
- 1997 – Divorced Noni Hazlehurst (per Now To Love; other sources say 1999).
- 2005 – Starred as Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek.
- 2013 – Reprised role in Wolf Creek 2.
- 2023 – Woman’s Day article published detailing allegations from Noni Hazlehurst (New Idea).
The pattern: his legacy is now tied to both a cult horror role and a controversial marriage.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 5 August 1952 (IMDb)
- Marriage to Noni Hazlehurst (1987–1997, per Now To Love)
- Role as Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek (WYZA)
- Wolf Creek filming location: South Australia (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary from $1M to $3M)
- Whether John Jarratt is “nice” (subjective, no consensus)
- Full details of the split beyond Noni’s account (only one side published)
- Number of marriages (sources conflict: some say 4, others fewer)
Quotes from the key voices
“How I learnt the truth about my husband”
— Noni Hazlehurst, in Woman’s Day (2023), as reported by New Idea
“The marriage ended because the couple grew in different directions.”
— John Jarratt, 2005 interview, cited by New Idea
“I’m still acting, still working.”
— John Jarratt, via Instagram, as noted in Now To Love
The picture that emerges is of a career actor whose public identity is now split between a legendary horror role and a painful personal history. For the audience looking for a simple verdict on John Jarratt — whether he’s a nice guy or a troubled figure — the evidence doesn’t allow a clean answer. The only honest takeaway is that the man behind Mick Taylor is far more complicated than the character he plays, and that complexity is unlikely to be resolved by a single article.
en.wikipedia.org, john-jarratt-net-worth.pages.dev, es.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org
Those wanting to learn more about his transition from children’s television to horror films should read John Jarratts career profile for a full account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is John Jarratt’s most famous movie?
His most famous movie is Wolf Creek, in which he played Mick Taylor.
Does John Jarratt have any children?
Yes, he has two sons with Noni Hazlehurst, named Charlie and William.
What awards has John Jarratt won?
He has not won major international awards, but his role in Wolf Creek has cult status.
Is John Jarratt still acting?
Yes, he continues to act in film and television and appears at conventions.
Where can I watch Wolf Creek?
Wolf Creek is available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix in some regions.
What is John Jarratt’s role in Django Unchained?
He had a small cameo role in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.
How tall is John Jarratt?
He is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.
What is John Jarratt’s net worth in 2024?
Estimates vary, but it is around $1 million.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.