John Raaen

John Raaen grew up in Deception Bay and attended OLHC and Soubirous College in Redcliffe.

A champion bull rider, he went on to become an accomplished stuntman in many iconic Australian and International films.

John competed successfully in all three roughstock events and was the first Rookie of The year in 1967. He won this award after breaking into the open ranks in March of that year. In 1968 he was the Queensland State Champion for Saddle Bronc Riding, a title won at the Condamine rodeo.

He was South Australian Bull Riding Champion in 1972 and in 1974 at Geraldton Western Australia he again took out another bull riding title and in 1976 took out the Queensland bull ride title in Clermont.

When the circuit championships replace the single rodeo state titles, he was twice the Victorian Southern Cross Champion for Bareback Bronc Riding in 1984 and 1985.

After more than 20 years on the rodeo circuit he moved into movie work, for over 15 years both as an actor and as a full time stunt man on Australian film and television.

Movies and TV Series worked on include:

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Daredevils of the Desert (1999) Stunt man

Thunderstone (1999) Stuntman and Stunt Coordinator for 27 Episodes

Water Rats,(1998)

One Way Ticket (1997)with Rachel Blakely and Peter Phelps

The Last of the Ryans (1997)

Jackie Chan in Mr. Nice Guy (1997)

The Phantom (1996) Stuntman - with Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson.

Blue Heelers (1995-96)

Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1994-95)

Janus (1994)

The Silver Brumby (1993)

Snowy (1993)

Neighbours (1990-93)

Police Rescue (1993)

My Forgotten Man (1993)

Sniper (1993) Crew Chief - with Tom Berenger and Billy Zane.

Romper Stomper (1992) with Russell Crowe

Bony (1992)

Eight Ball (1992)

Boys from the Bush (1991-92)

Garbo (1992)

Round the Twist (1992)

Hurricane Smith (1992)

Kelly (1991)

Jeremy Sims in Chances (1991)

Breakaway (1990)

The Flying Doctors (1990)

Quigley Down Under (1990) Stuntman - with Tom Selleck, Alan Rickman

In Too Deep (1990)

The Magistrate (1989)

The Punisher (1989) Stuntman - with Dolph Lundgren

Pugwall (1989)

Blowing Hot and Cold (1989)

Rikky and Pete (1988)

The Man from Snowy River II (1988) with Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton

The Lighthorsemen (1987)

The Big Hurt (1986)

Prisoner (1979) with Elspeth Ballantyne, Patsy King, and Glenda Linscott

Malcolm (1986)

A complete list of films and television John had worked on can be viewed at the following LINK:

John was tragically killed while performing a stunt on a movie being filmed in Brisbane in 1999.

Actor Guy Pierce did his memorial and he is buried in Redcliffe Cemetery with his Mother and Father.

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John Raaen is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:

A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.

For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post:

https://www.redcliffebook.com/post/redcliffe-hall-of-fame-in-the-jetty-arcade 

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