Australian movie stars died in 2012
Here are 7 famous actors from Australia died in 2012:
Murray Rose
Murray Rose (January 6, 1939 Birmingham-April 15, 2012 Sydney) also known as Iain Murray Rose or The Seaweed Streak was an Australian swimmer, actor, businessperson and journalist. He had two children, Somerset Rose and Trevor Rose.
Murray Rose was a prominent figure in the world of swimming, having won six Olympic medals including three golds, two silvers, and one bronze. He was a part of the Australian swimming team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics where he won his first gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, setting a new world record. He went on to win two more gold medals in the 1960 Rome Olympics in the 400-meter freestyle and 4x200-meter freestyle relay events.
Aside from his illustrious swimming career, Rose was also an accomplished actor, having appeared in several films and television shows in Australia and the United States. His notable works include the TV series "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" and the film "A Man Called Horse."
Rose was also a successful businessperson and journalist, having owned his own advertising agency and worked for various newspapers and television stations in Australia. He was also a strong advocate for environmental conservation and was heavily involved in the campaign to save the Great Barrier Reef.
Despite suffering from leukemia in his later years, Murray Rose continued to inspire many through his passion for swimming and his relentless pursuit of his dreams.
Read more about Murray Rose on Wikipedia »
Jonathan Hardy
Jonathan Hardy (September 20, 1940 Wellington-July 30, 2012 Southern Highlands) also known as Johnathan Hardy or Jonathon Hardy was an Australian actor, screenwriter and film director.
Hardy began his career as an actor and appeared in numerous Australian television shows and films. He is best known for his role as Dominar Rygel XVI in the science fiction television series Farscape. In addition to acting, Hardy also worked as a screenwriter and director, with credits on films such as Gallipoli (1981) and Breaker Morant (1980). He was also a prolific voice actor and provided the voice for numerous animated characters in popular Australian cartoons, including the character of Dr. Shock Clock in the animated series Dogstar. In 2011, Hardy was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Australian Writers' Guild for his contributions to the Australian film and television industry. Hardy passed away in 2012 at the age of 71.
Read more about Jonathan Hardy on Wikipedia »
Ian Turpie
Ian Turpie (November 6, 1943 Melbourne-March 11, 2012 Narraweena) also known as Turps, Ian Bruce "Turps" Turpie or Ian Bruce Turpie was an Australian presenter and actor.
He was best known for hosting several game shows including "The New Price is Right" and "Supermarket Sweep". Turpie began his career as a singer in the 1960s before moving on to television hosting. He also appeared in several Australian TV shows and films including "Homicide", "Matlock Police", and "Bluey". Turpie was a beloved figure in Australian television and was inducted into the Australian TV Week Logie Awards Hall of Fame in 2005. Outside of his television career, he was a passionate supporter of the North Sydney Bears rugby league team. Turpie passed away in 2012 from cancer, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Read more about Ian Turpie on Wikipedia »
Jimmy Little
Jimmy Little (March 1, 1937 Cummeragunja Reserve-April 2, 2012 Dubbo) a.k.a. Little, Jimmy, James Oswald Litle, James Oswald "Jimmy" Little, AO, Uncle Jimmy, James Oswald Little or James Oswald "Jimmy" Little was an Australian musician, actor, teacher, singer-songwriter and guitarist. He had one child, Frances Claire Peters-Little.
Born on the Cummeragunja Reserve in New South Wales, Australia, Little was of both Aboriginal and European ancestry, and went on to become a pioneering figure in the music industry, representing Indigenous Australians on the world stage. He is best known for his soulful baritone voice, and his ability to blend country, folk, and gospel music with traditional Aboriginal sounds.
Little made his recording debut in 1956 with "Mysteries of Life", and went on to release over a dozen albums throughout his career. He also starred in a number of film and television productions, including the 1970 film "Ningla A-Na".
In addition to his music and acting careers, Little was a respected educator and advocate for Indigenous Australians. He established the Jimmy Little Foundation in 2006, which aimed to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his services to the community.
Little continued to perform and record music until shortly before his death in 2012 from kidney disease. He was widely mourned by the Australian music community and remembered for his lasting impact on the country's cultural landscape.
Read more about Jimmy Little on Wikipedia »
Laurie Main
Laurie Main (November 29, 1922 Melbourne-February 8, 2012 Los Angeles) also known as Laurence George "Laurie" Main or Laurence George Main was an Australian actor and voice actor.
He began his career in Australia, appearing in stage productions and radio dramas. In the 1950s, he moved to England and continued to act in theatre, television, and films. He appeared in several British television shows, including "The Avengers" and "Doctor Who." In the 1960s, he moved to the United States and continued to work as an actor and voice actor.
Main is perhaps best known for his voice work in Disney films. He provided voices for several characters in "Robin Hood," "The Aristocats," and "The Fox and the Hound." He also provided the voice of Doctor Watson in the 1986 animated film "The Great Mouse Detective."
In addition to his acting and voice work, Main was a talented musician. He played several instruments, including the piano, accordion, and guitar. Main passed away in 2012 at the age of 89.
Read more about Laurie Main on Wikipedia »
Jon Finlayson
Jon Finlayson (March 23, 1938 Coburg-September 12, 2012 Melbourne) also known as Finno or Jon "Finno" Finlayson was an Australian actor and writer.
Jon Finlayson was born in Coburg, Australia on March 23, 1938. He grew up with a passion for acting and pursued it as a career, eventually becoming a well-known actor in Australia. His notable roles include appearances in films such as "The Castle" and "The Club" as well as television shows like "A Country Practice" and "Stingers". In addition to acting, Finlayson was also a talented writer and authored several plays including "China Plate" and "Crystal Clear". He was known for his wit and humor and was beloved by many in the Australian entertainment industry. Finlayson passed away on September 12, 2012 in Melbourne, leaving behind a legacy of great performances and written works.
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Grant Tilly
Grant Tilly (December 12, 1937 Sydney-April 10, 2012 Wellington) a.k.a. Grant Leonard Ridgway Tilly or Grant Leonard Ridgway Tilly, MBE was an Australian actor, artist, tutor, illustrator, visual artist and screenwriter.
Throughout his career, Tilly appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. He is best known for his roles as Tom in the television show "Gloss" and Dr. Adamson in the film "Smash Palace". Tilly began his acting career in the late 1960s and continued to act until his death in 2012.
In addition to his acting work, Tilly was also a talented artist and illustrator. He published several children's books and was known for creating illustrations for magazines, books, and advertisements. Tilly was also a tutor at the Wellington Polytechnic for many years, where he taught illustration and graphic design.
Tilly received the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1994 for his services to the performing arts in New Zealand. He was married to fellow actress Alison Quigan and they had two children together.
Read more about Grant Tilly on Wikipedia »