Legendary Australian actor Brian Wenzel has died aged 94.
The iconic star, best-known for his role on A Country Practice, passed away peacefully in an Adelaide nursing home, just weeks away from his 95th birthday.
The star’s agent Jennifer Hennessy confirmed his death in a statement.
“It is with great sadness that we remember the life of beloved Australian actor Brian Wenzel,” she said.
“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.”
Born in 1929, Wenzel began his acting career at the age of just 17.
In the 60s and 70s he became a popular fixture on Aussie TV screens, starring in the likes of Homicide, Division 4, and Matlock Police.
He then scored the role of a liftetime as Frank Gilroy, an old-fashioned and uptight sergeant who was the heart of A Country Practice for 12 years. The beloved soap ran from 1981 to 1993, and the show amassed a whopping 1,058 episodes
His acclaimed role as Gilroy earned Wenzel a Logie Award for Best Actor in 1981.
After the show came to an end in 1993, the actor went on to briefly appear in Neighbours.
Other notable roles included Marshall Law in 2002, with his final role on-screen being in 2014’s John Doe: Vigilante.
In 2021, Wenzel opened up about his recent health problems, suffering two mini strokes in 2018 that tragucally robbed him of his ability to walk unaided.
“I got old all of a sudden. I can’t work anymore, which I find really frustrating. I have to use a walking frame to get around, so I sold the car,” he told New Idea.
“It’s terrible to not be able to walk and I can’t sing anymore, which is terrible. I’m hoping against all hope that I can get it all back again.”
Wenzel’s later years were sadly marred by his tragic battle with dementia, leading him to enter nursing care in September 2022, which he shared with his beloved wife Linda.