Jason Clarke
An Australian actor who brings a formidable, grounded intensity to every role, from CIA operatives to American presidents and tragic heroes.
Born 1969 (age 57)·Australian actor·Birthday: July 17·Generation X
Biography
Jason Clarke built his career not on flash, but on a potent, believable presence that can anchor a blockbuster or unravel in a tense drama. He first gained attention on the American television series 'Brotherhood,' playing a Rhode Island politician with a complex moral compass. That role showcased his ability to convey internal conflict, a skill he carried into a string of major film roles. Directors began casting him as the steady hand in chaotic situations—the dedicated CIA agent in 'Zero Dark Thirty,' the compassionate guide in 'Everest,' or the stoic astronaut in 'First Man.' He possesses a rare ability to humanize figures of authority or history, whether it's Robert F. Kennedy in 'Chappaquiddick' or a doomed father in the remake of 'Pet Sematary.' Clarke's power lies in his understatement, making him one of the most reliable and compelling character actors of his generation.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Jason was born in 1969, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jason Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Jason's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 50
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 57 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received critical acclaim for his portrayal of CIA agent Dan in Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar-winning film 'Zero Dark Thirty'.
- Played the lead role of George in the 2019 remake of Stephen King's horror classic 'Pet Sematary'.
- Starred as astronaut Ed White in Damien Chazelle's Neil Armstrong biopic 'First Man'.
- Portrayed Senator Ted Kennedy in the historical drama 'Chappaquiddick', focusing on the 1969 incident.
Did You Know?
He is a trained pilot and has a deep interest in aviation, which informed his role in 'First Man'.
Before his breakout role in 'Brotherhood', he had a small part in the 2000 film 'The Monkey's Mask'.
He played the villainous Terminator model T-3000 in 'Terminator Genisys'.
“I'm not interested in playing the hero; I'm interested in playing the man.”
