ausfilm

The Hon Simon Crean MP
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Minister for the Arts

26 May 2011

Bill Hunter – a great Australian actor

Arts Minister Simon Crean said actor Bill Hunter had made an outstanding contribution to the Australian film and television industry.

A memorial service for the well-known and much loved actor will be held today at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.

“Bill Hunter was a true giant of Australian screen industry. In entertaining generations of Australians through his numerous film, television and stage roles, Bill was a popular and respected figure both with the public and within the industry,” Mr Crean said.

“I well remember in the 1990s he was an enthusiastic supporter of our initiative to encourage the long term unemployed back into the workforce and played an active role in promoting Government’s ‘Working Nation’ television campaign.

“As one of Australia’s most recognisable screen faces of the last 30 years, he will be best remembered for his portrayal of the archetypal gruff but lovable Aussie bloke but he gave life to a range of Australian characters.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” Mr Crean said.

Some of his notable roles include Newsfront, Gallipoli, Scales of Justice, Strictly Ballroom, Muriel’s Wedding and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Hunter won the 1978 AFI award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Newsfront, the 1981 Best Supporting Actor award for Gallipoli and he also won a Best Lead Actor in a Telefeature AFI Award in 1989 for Police State. In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to acting.