Actors who knew Uncle Jack Charles have paid tribute to the revered Aboriginal elder and actor who "defined an era of Aboriginal storytellers".
NOTE: This story uses Uncle Jack Charles's name and image with the permission of his family.
A statement from his publicist said the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man died peacefully at the age of 79 on Tuesday after suffering a stroke.
Nakkiah Lui said it was a "real gift" to be able to work with Uncle Jack on Preppers, an ABC doomsday comedy released last year she co-created and starred in.
"He lit up rooms, he lit up screens — stages," the Gamillaroi and Torres Strait Islander woman said.
"He was warm and funny and just brought so much joy to whatever room he was in."
Lui spoke of her reverence for Uncle Jack after hearing his story of being taken from his mother as a four-month-old baby and surviving physical and sexual abuse in state care.
She said he was always "open and honest" about his story, most recently in giving evidence about the violence he experienced to Victoria's Yoorrook Justice Commission.
"He's left the world far better than it was when he entered it, and how many people do that? He was a real king," she said.
"He defined an era of Aboriginal storytellers who were remarkable performers, and storytellers in general."
Known as the "father of Black theatre", Uncle Jack co-founded Nindethana Theatre, Australia's first Indigenous theatre group.
To get a sense for his life and story, Lui encouraged people to read his memoir, Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella, and watch the documentary he appeared in, Bastardy, which explores how his trauma led to substance abuse and a string of robberies that saw him jailed.
"I think that's the biggest respect you can pay to a man like that who went out of his way to share his spirit and truth with our community to try and make it a better place," she said.
"He really used his gifts to try and change the world."
A voice that 'could go across the Pacific'
Wiradjuri actor Luke Carroll, who was also in Preppers, first met Uncle Jack in 1990 as a 10-year-old acting in his first theatre production.
He said Uncle Jack was always showing support for the young Indigenous actors, and was an elder even back then.
"When you knew Uncle Jack was in your presence, you knew you were safe," he said.
Carroll said Uncle Jack had a deep, gravelly voice that "went through your soul".
"He was so small in stature but once he opened his mouth and his voice came out, it could go across the Pacific," he said.
Carroll spoke of the pain of losing Uncle Jack shortly after the death of Uncle Archie Roach, another prolific Aboriginal elder and close friend of Uncle Jack's.
"I just wish that Uncle Archie is there waiting for him, to welcome him with open arms and they can travel through the Dreamtime together," he said.
Through the Archie Roach Foundation, Uncle Jack shared his story in prisons to help Indigenous people avoid getting repeatedly caught up in the justice system.
Carroll said Uncle Jack's death was "out of the blue".
"It's hard to wake up to news like that, but we'll come together as a people, as a community," he said.
Jack Charles a 'pioneer' for Indigenous actors
Wongutha-Yamatji actor Meyne Wyatt said it was "an honour" to work with Uncle Jack on Preppers.
"It was something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life," he told The Drum.
Wyatt, who played the character Guy, said Uncle Jack had a warmth that everyone wanted to be around, but was "unapologetic" in speaking his truth about the traumatic events he went through.
"He said it straight in your face," he said.
"What Aboriginal people have done since time immemorial is we survive, and he did it through smiling teeth."
Uncle Jack told his story of pain and survival in the theatre production Jack Charles V The Crown, which toured Australia and internationally.
Wyatt said Uncle Jack was a scene-stealer with a massive presence, who paved the path for Indigenous actors.
"No matter how good you think you are, you're number two to Jack Charles," he said.
"He was a pioneer."
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Visit ABC iview and the ABC listen app to explore collections celebrating the work of Uncle Jack Charles, including his appearances on Conversations and Speaking Out.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIyLTA5LTE0L2FjdG9ycy1wYXktdHJpYnV0ZS11bmNsZS1qYWNrLWNoYXJsZXMtYWJvcmlnaW5hbC1lbGRlci8xMDE0MzUzMzDSAQA?oc=5
2022-09-13 20:11:00Z
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