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Eddie McGuire and Mark "Chopper" Read sign a painting of Eddie done by artist, Suzanne Soul which was auctioned for charity. Picture: Manuela Cifra
1/15Eddie McGuire and Mark "Chopper" Read sign a painting of Eddie done by artist, Suzanne Soul which was auctioned for charity. Picture: Manuela Cifra
Mark 'Chopper' Read on the set of Pinball, a movie in which Chopper plays himself. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
2/15Mark 'Chopper' Read on the set of Pinball, a movie in which Chopper plays himself. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
Chopper brought out a new line of peanuts called 'Chopper's Nuts'. Picture: Alex Coppel
3/15Chopper brought out a new line of peanuts called 'Chopper's Nuts'. Picture: Alex Coppel
Mark Chopper Read is continuing to paint as he fights cancer ahead of an exhibition of his work at Hogans Gallery. Picture: David Caird
4/15Mark Chopper Read is continuing to paint as he fights cancer ahead of an exhibition of his work at Hogans Gallery. Picture: David Caird
Chopper Read in the back streets of Carlton. Picture: Andrew Tauber
5/15Chopper Read in the back streets of Carlton. Picture: Andrew Tauber
<p>THE inglorious life of Mark 'Chopper' Read has been a colourful story, from his underworld beginnings to jail, then stardom as a reformed criminal standover man.</p>
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THE inglorious life of Mark 'Chopper' Read has been a colourful story, from his underworld beginnings to jail, then stardom as a reformed criminal standover man.

<p>Mark 'Chopper' Read spent just 13 months outside prison between the ages of 20 and 38.</p>
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Mark 'Chopper' Read spent just 13 months outside prison between the ages of 20 and 38.

<p>Here's Eric Bana as a young Chopper.</p>
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Here's Eric Bana as a young Chopper.

<p>He was released from prison in Tasmania in 1998.</p>
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He was released from prison in Tasmania in 1998.

<p>... clothes (at the 2003 Australian Fashion Week, no less) ...</p>
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... clothes (at the 2003 Australian Fashion Week, no less) ...

<p>... and embroiled Mark 'Jacko' Jackson for a stint flogging their own brand of wine.</p>
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... and embroiled Mark 'Jacko' Jackson for a stint flogging their own brand of wine.

<p>Lately, he's focused on more artistic pursuits, like an illustrated book that's not really for kids.</p>
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Lately, he's focused on more artistic pursuits, like an illustrated book that's not really for kids.

<p>And he starred in a 2006 advertisement condemning violence against women.</p>
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And he starred in a 2006 advertisement condemning violence against women.

<p>He has released 11 books on his criminal history and remains the larrikin crim we love to hate.</p>
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He has released 11 books on his criminal history and remains the larrikin crim we love to hate.

Mark 'Chopper' Read on the set of Pinball, a movie in which Chopper plays himself. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
15/15Mark 'Chopper' Read on the set of Pinball, a movie in which Chopper plays himself. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/image-gallery/93e79a7e94d9373fb09cb201e03a8aab