Noted Australian actor, renowned for his illustrious career that traversed the decades of the 1980s, left an indelible mark on both the small and big screens, boasting an impressive repertoire of television shows and films, with the crowning jewel being the leading role in Scott Hicks's critically acclaimed drama, Freedom, which made its cinematic debut in the year 1982.
On a fateful December 1st in the year 1986, a calamitous event unfolded, forever altering the trajectory of the life of a renowned individual, namely, Blake. The tragic incident occurred while he was en route back to his abode from the film set of The Lighthorsemen, which was being shot on location in the arid expanse of the South Australian desert. As he traversed the desolate roads, a vehicle emerged unexpectedly in his path, prompting him to take evasive action by swerving, only to collide with a stationary car. The accident was a harrowing one, with Blake's injuries initially assessed to be life-threatening, casting a dark shadow over his future.
Miraculously, the external physical manifestations of Blake's ordeal were relatively minor, comprising a faint, almost imperceptible graze on his cheekbone and a shallow cut on his temple, which, although superficial, served as a stark contrast to the profound and far-reaching consequences of the devastating crash that had befallen him.
Despite the relatively minor external damage, the severity of the accident had a profound and lasting impact on Blake's cognitive and physical abilities, resulting in permanent brain damage that left him paralyzed, a state that was characterized by an inability to articulate his thoughts and feelings through verbal communication, a skill that had previously been taken for granted.
Blake's existence underwent a profound and lasting metamorphosis as a direct consequence of the unforeseen and calamitous event that ultimately culminated in his untimely demise on May 30, 2011, at the tender age of 52, due to the insidious and life-threatening complications arising from pneumonia.
