Australian actor Richard Carter dies aged 65
TV and film actor Richard Carter died on Saturday following a brief illness. He was 65.
The Sydney-born screen veteran, a memorable face across almost four decades of work, featured in films including The Great Gatsby, Gettin' Square and Happy Feet, and was a regular fixture on Australian TV including shows such as Rake, Pizza, Blue Heelers, Wildside, A Country Practice and Rafferty's Rules.
His final scene-stealing role was as the deranged Bullet Farmer in George Miller's 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road.
"He was an esteemed actor, a storyteller, and someone who touched the lives of many," a statement from his agency read. "His generosity knew no bounds and his loss is too great to quantify. He will be sorely missed."
Comedian Adam Hills was among those paying tribute to the beloved character actor.
"So very sad to hear of the passing of a giant of Australian comedy and acting," he shared on Twitter. "At times he was like Yoda to me, at others more like Chewbacca, but I loved him nonetheless. Wish I had told him that recently."
Julia Morris also called Carter a "true gentleman".
"In my early days, when female stand ups were not really celebrated, Richard was the very essence of support," she wrote.
Film critic Luke Buckmaster, who interviewed Carter for his 2017 book on Mad Max, described the actor as a "tough guy on screen and a beautiful, tender man in real life".
"I will never forget our long, long conversations about so many things – life, spirituality, finding peace within, being yourself, standing up for what you believe," he wrote. "When you talked to Mr Carter (he preferred me calling him by that name) it was like time stopped existing... he had all the time in the world for you."
Carter is survived by his wife Lindsey and daughter Amy.
More to come.