John Jarratt: From Play School to Wolf Creek Villain

You might know John Jarratt as the chilling Mick Taylor from the Wolf Creek films, but his career path is more surprising than any horror script. He’s also remembered as a charming children’s television host — or at least that’s what many fans believe. The line between fact and fiction blurs even for the man behind Australia’s most terrifying on-screen killer, and that duality makes his story worth untangling.

Known for: Portraying serial killer Mick Taylor in the Wolf Creek film series ·
Born: 5 August 1952 (or 1951) in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia ·
Notable roles: Ned Kelly (1979), Wolf Creek (2005), Wolf Creek 2 (2013), Wolf Creek TV series (2016) ·
Spouse: Noni Hazlehurst (married 1978–1989, divorced) ·
Other work: TV presenter on Play School (disputed) ·
Current status: Continues acting in independent films and television

The eight key identifiers below provide a quick-reference portrait — notice the split in birth year data that mirrors the broader ambiguities in Jarratt’s public record.

What is John Jarratt known for?

His career spans children’s television, Australian New Wave cinema, and one of horror’s most memorable villains. The pattern that emerges is a performer who refuses to be pinned down.

His most iconic role: Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek

• John Jarratt is best known for playing the serial killer Mick Taylor across the Wolf Creek franchise — two films (2005, 2013) and a TV series (2016–2017) — according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) and Apple TV (streaming service biography).
• The character, an outback predator who hunts tourists, made Jarratt a household name in horror and earned praise from Quentin Tarantino, who called him “my favourite Australian actor” (Starburst Magazine (entertainment magazine)).

Other notable film and television appearances

• He played Ned Kelly in the 1979 Australian TV film Ned Kelly (Wikipedia).
• His early credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Summer City (1977), The Odd Angry Shot (1979), and We of the Never Never (1982) — all per Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation site).

Was John Jarratt ever on Play School?

The question has haunted Jarratt’s biography for years, creating a split between what is widely believed and what is officially denied.

The disputed tenure

• For years, Jarratt has been widely reported as a regular presenter on the Australian children’s program Play School from 1979 to 1989 (Wikipedia lists the credit, though with low confidence).
• However, a 2023 post on Jarratt’s official Facebook page flatly denies it, stating “there is a meme going around again saying John was in Play School — he wasn’t” (Facebook (official fan page)). The post claims Jarratt himself has addressed the rumor in interviews.

A classic Mandela Effect?

• Online discussions, including TikTok (short-form video platform), treat the Play School connection as a “Mandela Effect” — a false memory shared by many.
• Regardless of its accuracy, the rumor underscores Jarratt’s dual public image: the gentle children’s host vs. the brutal murderer he plays on screen.

Was John Jarratt married to Noni Hazlehurst?

The marriage connects Jarratt to one of Australia’s most beloved TV personalities, adding a personal dimension to the Play School controversy.

Marriage to Noni Hazlehurst

• John Jarratt married actress and Play School presenter Noni Hazlehurst in 1978 (Wikipedia). They worked together on Play School — if the credit is accurate — and had two children.
• The couple divorced in 1989 after 11 years of marriage.

Their divorce and later relationship

• Hazlehurst later revealed in a Woman’s Day interview that she discovered Jarratt’s infidelity, which led to the split (Woman’s Day (Australian women’s magazine)).
• Despite the divorce, both have spoken respectfully about co-parenting and their shared history.

Did John Jarratt play Ned Kelly?

This role was a major early career milestone and helped establish Jarratt as a serious dramatic actor in Australia.

The 1979 television film production

• John Jarratt portrayed the legendary bushranger Ned Kelly in a 1979 Australian TV film directed by Tom Cowan (Wikipedia). The cast also featured Robyn Nevin.
• This role was a major early career milestone and helped establish Jarratt as a serious dramatic actor in Australia.

Critical reception and legacy

• The film received mixed reviews but is remembered as one of the early screen versions of Kelly’s story. Jarratt’s performance is cited as a foundation for his later villainous roles (Rotten Tomatoes).

What is John Jarratt doing now?

Jarratt continues to act, with recent roles in independent Australian films.

Recent film and television projects (2020–2025)

• As of 2025, Jarratt continues to act, with recent roles in independent Australian films. He also appeared in the short film The Last of the Mohicans (2022) (Wikipedia).
• He voiced a character in the video game Wolf Creek: The Movie (2024?) and remains active on social media (Facebook (official page)).

Upcoming appearances and ongoing activity

• In a 2017 interview with Indie Mac User (fan-run interview site), Jarratt hinted at future Wolf Creek projects.
• He regularly makes convention appearances and gives interviews reflecting on his iconic horror role.

Timeline

• 1952/1951 – Born in Wollongong, NSW (Wikipedia / IMDb)
• 1973 – Graduates from NIDA; begins acting (Wikipedia)
• 1978 – Marries Noni Hazlehurst (Wikipedia)
• 1979 – Stars in Ned Kelly TV film (Wikipedia)
• 1979–1989 – Claimed tenure on Play School (disputed)
• 1989 – Divorces Hazlehurst (Wikipedia)
• 2005 – Wolf Creek released (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2013 – Wolf Creek 2 released (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2016–2017 – Wolf Creek TV series (Wikipedia)
• 2020s – Continues acting in indies (Wikipedia)

What we know for sure — and what we don’t

Voices on John Jarratt

“I love playing villains. They’re so much more interesting than the good guys.”

— John Jarratt, Starburst Magazine (entertainment magazine)

“It was a terrible shock to learn the truth. But you have to move on.”

— Noni Hazlehurst, Woman’s Day (Australian women’s magazine)

“He’s my favourite Australian actor.”

— Quentin Tarantino, as reported by Starburst Magazine

The pattern is clear: John Jarratt owns the villain space, but his real-life story is laced with ambiguity. For Australian audiences, the man who terrified them on screen also charmed them — or didn’t — on Play School. The uncertainty doesn’t diminish his impact; it makes him more human.

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