Australian movie stars died at 72
Here are 8 famous actors from Australia died at 72:
John Lee
John Lee (March 31, 1928 Launceston-December 21, 2000 Melbourne) was an Australian actor.
He began his career on stage in the early 1950s before transitioning to film and television work in the 1960s. Lee appeared in numerous Australian productions throughout his career, including the films "Sunday Too Far Away", "Breaker Morant", and "Gallipoli". He also had roles in popular television series such as "The Sullivans" and "Prisoner". In addition to his acting work, Lee was also a teacher and mentor to many young actors in Australia. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1998 for his contributions to the arts.
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Gordon Piper
Gordon Piper (June 3, 1932 Cheltenham-September 19, 2004 Sydney) a.k.a. Gordon Stephen Piper was an Australian actor, theatre director and screenwriter. He had two children, Kerrin-Gai Piper and Kim Piper.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Gordon Piper began his career as an actor in the 1950s, performing in several theatre productions in New South Wales. In the 1960s, he became a well-known face on Australian television, appearing in popular shows such as "The Mavis Bramston Show", "Division 4", and "The Sullivans".
During his career, he also worked as a theatre director, having directed productions such as "A View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller at the Sydney Theatre Company. He also wrote screenplays for several TV shows, including "Matlock Police" and "Homicide".
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Gordon Piper was a proud supporter of the Australian Labor Party, and often spoke out about his political views. He was also an advocate for Australian theatre, and was an active member of the Actors Equity union.
Following his death in 2004, Piper was posthumously awarded the Equity Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to Australian theatre and screen.
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J. P. McGowan
J. P. McGowan (February 24, 1880 Terowie-March 26, 1952 Hollywood) also known as Mac, John Paterson McGowan, Jack, Mac MacGowan, Jack MacGowan, McGowan, J.P. MacGowan, Jack McGowan, John P. McGowan, John McGowan, J. P. Mc Gowan or J.P.McGowan was an Australian screenwriter, film director, actor, film producer and stunt performer. He had five children, Kaye McGowan, Stuart E. McGowan, Dorrell McGowan, Roxana McGowan and Molly McGowan.
McGowan began his career in the film industry as an actor in the early 1900s, appearing in many silent films. He later transitioned to directing and producing, and became known for his action-packed westerns and adventure films. He often performed his own stunts, and was considered one of the leading stuntmen of his time.
In addition to his work in Hollywood, McGowan also directed and produced films in Australia, where he helped to establish the local film industry. Throughout his career, he worked with many notable actors, including Tom Mix, Buck Jones, and Rin Tin Tin.
McGowan's career spanned several decades, and he directed or produced over 200 films. He was also a pioneer in the use of sound in films, and produced one of the first all-talking features, "The Voice from the Sky," in 1930.
McGowan passed away in Hollywood in 1952, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential filmmakers of his time.
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Snub Pollard
Snub Pollard (November 9, 1889 Melbourne-January 19, 1962 Burbank) also known as Harold H. Fraser, Harry "Snub" Pollard, Harold Fraser, Harry Pollard, The Keystone Kops, Peewee Pollard, Harry 'Snub' Pollard, Harry Fraser, Pollard, Harold Fraser Pollard or 'Snub' Pollard was an Australian actor and comedian.
He died caused by cancer.
Snub Pollard was born in Melbourne, Australia, and began his career in entertainment as a vaudeville performer. In 1915, he made his way to Hollywood and began acting in silent films. Pollard quickly became a comedy star, thanks to his comedic timing and hilarious facial expressions. He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, and was best known for his work with Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios.
Pollard often worked alongside other comedy legends of his time, such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. He was also a founding member of the legendary Keystone Kops, a group of slapstick comedians known for their wild chases and chaotic antics.
In addition to his film work, Pollard also had success on the stage and in radio. He continued to work in entertainment throughout his life, even performing in a play just weeks before his death from cancer in 1962.
Despite his contributions to the comedy world, Snub Pollard's legacy has largely been forgotten over time. However, his impact on early Hollywood comedy cannot be understated, and he remains a beloved figure in the history of silent film.
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Fred Conyngham
Fred Conyngham (June 8, 1901 Sydney-May 8, 1974 Australia) also known as Frederick Conyngham was an Australian actor.
He began his career in the 1920s as a stage actor, performing in various productions in Sydney and throughout Australia. In the 1930s, he transitioned to film, appearing in several Australian films including "Dad and Dave Come to Town" and "Grandad Rudd".
Conyngham was also known for his work in radio, hosting his own show called "The Laugh Parade" and acting in various dramas and comedies. He later moved to television, where he had supporting roles in popular Australian shows like "Homicide" and "Matlock Police".
In addition to his acting career, Conyngham was a talented musician and composer, writing several popular songs including "Mister and Mississippi" and "The Little Shirt My Mother Made for Me". He died in 1974 at the age of 72.
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Murray Matheson
Murray Matheson (July 1, 1912 Casterton-April 25, 1985 Woodland Hills) also known as Sidney Murray Matheson was an Australian actor.
He began his acting career in Australia in the 1930s before moving to England in the 1940s. Matheson gained widespread recognition for his stage performances in London's West End theaters. He then moved to the United States in the 1950s where he appeared in numerous television series, including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and Hogan's Heroes. Matheson is also known for his roles in films such as The Wrong Man, The Great Race, and The Boston Strangler. Despite mainly playing supporting roles, he was highly regarded for his range and versatility as an actor. Matheson passed away in 1985 and was survived by his wife, actress Jean Mathieson, and their five children.
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Willie Fennell
Willie Fennell (January 1, 1920 Bondi-September 9, 1992 Sydney) otherwise known as Willy Fennell, "Phooey" Fennell, Willie Fennel, Willy Fennel or Willie Funnel was an Australian actor. He had one child, Jane Fennell.
During his career, Willie Fennell appeared in over 30 films and numerous television shows, becoming a well-known figure in the Australian entertainment industry. He began his acting career in the 1940s, first appearing on stage before transitioning to screen and establishing himself as a popular comedic actor. Some of his most notable film roles include "Three in One" (1957), "The Scamp" (1957), and "The Naked Bunyip" (1970). In addition to his acting work, Fennell was also a radio host and worked as a writer and producer for television. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 72, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Australian film and television.
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Kevin Manser
Kevin Manser (February 16, 1929 Adelaide-December 21, 2001 New South Wales) also known as Kevin Baden Manser was an Australian actor.
He died in cancer.
Kevin Manser began his acting career in the 1950s, working on various television shows and films throughout his career. In 1953, he played a small role in the film "Dust in the Sun". Some of his most notable performances include his role as Harry Strangeways in the television series "Class of '74" and as Bellamy in the film "Bait".
Aside from his acting career, Manser was also a passionate activist for the environment. He was a member of the Australian Conservation Foundation for many years and was heavily involved in various conservation projects, particularly those related to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.
Manser was married to fellow actor, Sheila Florance, until her death in 1991. The couple had two children together, but they both passed away from an early age. Manser himself passed away in 2001 after battling cancer for several years. He was 72 years old at the time of his death.
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