Brian Wenzel dead – Aussie soap legend dies aged 94 after stellar TV career spanning 75 years
LEGENDARY Australian soap star Brian Wenzel has died aged 94.
His iconic face has been on TV screens for the last 75 years in a stellar career that took off when he started to play Frank Gilroy on A Country Practice in 1981.
Brian peacefully passed away in an Adelaide nursing home on Monday.
Woman’s Day magazine said: “Brian’s wife of almost 70 years, Linda, phoned this morning to relay the news of his passing, saying he died peacefully.”
He was due to turn 95 on May 24.
Brian was awarded one of the greatest honours an actor could receive in his country when he won himself a TV Week Silver Logie for Best Actor in A Country Practice.
He starred in the hit soap for over 12-years and managed to be apart of an impressive 940 episodes.
Close friend Craig Bennett told Woman’s Day: “He enjoyed one heck of a career, was one of the nicest people, loved his fans and appreciated the fact that he was so loved.”
His iconic and revered performances spanned multiple Australian generations with his wit and humour shining through to the end
Jennifer Hennessy
He had spent the last two years in a nursing home battling with dementia, announced his loving wife of almost 70-years Linda.
Brian’s long-time agent, Jennifer Hennessy said: “It is with great sadness that we remember the life of beloved Australian actor Brian Wenzel.
“His iconic and revered performances spanned multiple Australian generations with his wit and humour shining through to the end.
“A passionate family man and devoted Carlton supporter leaves an irreplaceable mark on the Australian film and television industry,”
His illustrious career started when he was just a 17-year-old on a comedy stage show.
As final role came back in 2014 when Brian starred in crime thriller John Doe: Vigilante as a judge.
Although much of his career was taken up by the role of Sergeant Frank Gilroy, Brian also appeared in hit Aussie soap Neighbours.