14 April 2026 , 20:30
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A former Hollywood actor who attacked his ex a day after leaving prison under the government’s early release scheme has died.
Jason Hoganson, 55, had a leading role in the 1988 film Empire State, playing a Geordie drifter called Pete, alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau.
But his life spiralled out of control and he fell into an existence of drink, drugs and crime.
Heavily tattooed Hoganson was back in the spotlight when he was released from HMP Durham early in September 2024 as part of the government’s plan to ease overcrowding in prisons.
It later emerged he had been freed in error after serving half of an 18-month sentence for assaulting his ex-partner Rachel Usher and breaching a restraining order.
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R W Barrett & Son Funeral Services have now confirmed that Hoganson passed away unexpectedly on April 4.
In a Facebook post, he was described as: ‘Dad of Jade, Kitt, Michael, Charlotte and Clarice. Treasured Son of Maureen and the late Ronnie. Also, a dear brother of Michael, Layland and Kelly. Jason will be very dearly missed.’
Hoganson’s funeral will be on April 28 at the West Road Crematorium in Newcastle.
When he was released from prison he said: ‘I feel the same way I do every time I get out – nothing.
‘I must have done around 27 years across the last 32.
‘They had me in for a domestic with my missus this time. I’ve done eight-and-a-half months on remand.
‘My missus writes to me. She is beautiful and of course I am going to go back to her.
‘I’m honestly not a bad person. I don’t deny slapping my lass but it’s when I’m away from her she gets hurt off other people taking drugs.
‘They wanted to send me to Sheffield after my release but that’s out of order.’
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Hoganson claimed he wouldn’t be celebrating his release and said the prisons aren’t how they used to be.
He added: ‘These places aren’t a deterrent anymore unless you’re a life sentence prisoner.
‘This country is never going to get any better. People get out and what do they have?
‘The jails have got TVs, series and everything you could ever want.
‘When I started there was slop and all sorts but it’s dramatically changed over the last 30 years.’
Deputy Editor & UK News