British-Australian larger-than-life radio funnyman, television presenter, writer, performer of comedy and advertorial spokesperson, he started his media career in Australia in the late 1970s, but also worked in his native United Kingdom.
Jonathan ‘Jono’ Coleman was born in London but was ‘deported’ (or so he said) to Sydney, Australia, with his parents at an early age. He worked in the advertising world, played R ‘n’ B keyboards in various bands and appeared regularly as a reporter on the very popular “Simon Townsend’s Wonder World” afternoon kiddy-adult television show, eventually becoming top of the TV ratings as the bigger half of the TV and radio duo, “Jono and Dano.”
A number of films followed, including “Young Einstein,” 1988. Following his success in films, Coleman was offered a role in the (later globally-popular) Australian soap, “Neighbours” which he turned down believing it would never succeed.
After three decades in Australia, Coleman returned to Britain in 1990. His first slot was as a host of a prime time show for the critically acclaimed Power Station on BSB along with Boy George, Suggs, Chris Evans and Danny Baker. His heavyweight presence and light-hearted personality had considerable impact on TV and radio across the UK.
In April 1993, following stints on Radio 4 and GLR, Coleman was chosen by Richard Branson for his new network. He co-hosted the award winning breakfast slot Russ ‘n’ Jono’s Breakfast Experience, for which he achieved a Sony Gold in 1996 for the Best Breakfast Show and a New York award for Best International Show.
In February 1997, the multi-talented broadcaster, nicknamed the “Mound of Sound,” joined the crew at Heart 106.2. Not content with dominating the airwaves, Coleman was the star of three prime time television programmes: “Exclusive” and “Mixing It” – for Channel 5 and “Bonkers” – for ITV. He also hosted “Hit for Six” on VH1. When he won the national Commercial Radio Presenter of the Year award in the UK in 2000 the judges said that they “admired his very warm, naturally witty style and the way his personality flows through everything he does.”
Since returning to Australia in 2006, Coleman hosted the drive time radio slot 4–7pm across Australia on the “Classic Hits’ network (part of Australian Radio Network) and regional stations from 2007 to 2011. The show was initially known as The Jonathan Coleman Experience”, a show he hosted with “RocKwiz” presenter, Julia Zemiro. Then in 2009, he reunited with Rogerson and presented “The Jono & Dano Show” taking the show to the number 2 drive time slot on FM radio in Sydney and Melbourne.
Coleman also became a regular reporter for Channel Seven’s morning news program “Sunrise,” for which he had previously appeared presenting entertainment news from London. His regular segment was reviewing movies. He also presented entertainment news for “Mornings with Kerri-Anne” on the Nine Network.
Coleman provided voice-overs and narrations for many products both in Australia and internationally for companies. He was the voice of the award-winning Australian ’70s and ’80s music radio program “My Generation” from 2004 to 2010.
Coleman worked at Network Ten onscreen presenting news and entertainment reports. He presented advertorials on Network Ten morning TV program “Studio 10.” He was also the voice-over for the program.
Jono Coleman, a rotund and jovial guy, was happily married to film producer Margot Fitzpatrick and they had two children, Oscar and Emily. He died in Sydney on 9 July 2021 at age 65 from prostate cancer.
Link to Wikipedia biography