Mark Brandon Chopper Read was an Australian criminal, author, and media personality whose life blurred the lines between reality and myth. Born on November 17, 1954, in Melbourne, Victoria, Read became infamous for his violent criminal activities, his self-crafted persona, and his subsequent transformation into a cult figure through books, music, and film. His story is one of notoriety, reinvention, and the complexities of public perception.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Read’s early years were marked by hardship and trauma. Raised in the Melbourne suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy, he was subjected to bullying at school and abuse at home. His father, a former army veteran, was reportedly abusive, and Read was molested as a child. By the age of 14, he had been made a ward of the state and placed in several mental institutions, where he claimed to have undergone electroshock therapy. These formative experiences contributed to the development of his later criminal persona.
In his youth, Read became involved in street fighting and eventually led the Surrey Road gang, gaining a reputation for violence. His criminal activities began with robbing drug dealers and escalated to more severe offenses, including kidnapping and torturing members of the criminal underworld. He was known for using brutal methods, such as a blowtorch or bolt cutters, to intimidate and extract money from his victims.
Imprisonment and Infamy
Read’s criminal career led to multiple incarcerations. Between the ages of 20 and 38, he spent only 13 months outside prison. His offenses included armed robbery, firearm offenses, assault, arson, impersonating a police officer, and kidnapping. One of the most notorious incidents was in the late 1970s when Read had a fellow prisoner cut off his own ears to escape the harsh conditions of Pentridge Prison’s H Division. This act solidified his fearsome reputation.
In 1991, Read was convicted of shooting drug dealer Sidney Collins and was sentenced to indefinite detention as a dangerous criminal. He was granted parole in 1998 after serving time for arson, criminal damage, and shooting a drug dealer. Despite his violent past, Read’s ability to reinvent himself played a significant role in his later fame.
Transformation into a Media Personality
After his release from prison, Read capitalized on his notoriety by entering the entertainment industry. He authored a series of semi-autobiographical crime novels, including From the Inside, Hits and Memories, and How to Shoot Friends and Influence People. These books, often exaggerated and inconsistent with facts, became bestsellers and contributed to his cult status. His storytelling prowess combined with dark humor captivated a broad audience.
In 2000, Read’s life was depicted in the film Chopper, starring Eric Bana. The film portrayed Read’s violent exploits and complex personality, earning critical acclaim and cementing Read’s place in Australian pop culture. Despite the film’s success, Read’s actual criminal record was relatively minor, with only one confirmed killing-Sammy ‘the Turk’ Ozerkam-in what was ruled self-defense. His persona, including self-mutilation and exaggerated claims, combined a theatrical image of toughness with dark humor and storytelling prowess, captivating a broad audience.
Other Ventures and Public Appearances
Beyond writing and film, Read ventured into other forms of media. In 2001, he appeared in a public service advertisement warning against drunk driving. He also released a rap album titled Interview with a Madman in 2006. Additionally, Read performed in a series of live shows across Australia, sharing stories from his life and engaging with audiences in a theatrical manner.
Health Issues and Death
In 2008, Read was diagnosed with liver cancer and underwent surgery in 2012 to remove tumors from his liver. He died on October 9, 2013, in Parkville, Victoria, at the age of 58. Despite his criminal past, Read’s death marked the end of an era in Australian pop culture, as he had become a larger-than-life figure whose life story fascinated many.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Mark Chopper Read’s legacy is complex. He was a man who lived a life of crime and violence but also reinvented himself as a media personality and author. His ability to craft a compelling narrative around his life, whether entirely truthful or not, allowed him to transcend his criminal past and become a fixture in Australian culture. His story serves as a reminder of the power of reinvention and the blurred lines between myth and reality in the public eye.