David Gulpilil, the Indigenous Australian actor best known for ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies aged 68
David Gulpilil, the Indigenous Australian actor best known for ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ has died at age 68.
Gulpilil had been battling lung cancer since his diagnosis in 2017.
In addition to acting, he was known for being a tribal dancer, singer, actor, and painter.
Gulpilil hailed from the Mandhalpingu clan of the Yolŋu people and grew up in Northern Australia.
Before breaking out in the blockbuster comedy Crocodile Dundee, he made his mark on Australian cinema in the 1971 movie Walkabout aged 16.
SA Premier Steven Marshall has confirmed the passing of legendary actor & artist David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu.
‘He was a man who loved his land and his culture, and he was a man who took it to the world.’
SA Premier Steven Marshall has confirmed the passing of legendary actor & artist David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu.
‘He was a man who loved his land and his culture, and he was a man who took it to the world.’ pic.twitter.com/asZoureKvq
— Harvey Biggs (@HarveyBiggs) November 29, 2021
He was best known for performances in “Rabbit-Proof Fence,” “The Tracker,” and “Walkabout.”
Gulpilil won the Best Actor prize at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard for “Charlie’s Country.”
Following the confirmation of his death, reactions are pouring in on social media:
David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu AM has gone to his ancestral homeland.
An actor, dancer, artist, of the Yolngu, from Arnhem Land, across five decades he hugely shaped Australian cinema and Aboriginal representation on screen.
Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/r9vEVCP7LT
— Lé-terror-boxd (@letterboxd) November 29, 2021
1/3 Our family mourn the passing of David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu AM. A cinematic legend, cultural icon, painter and dancer – walked in two worlds but always remained true to his people and his homelands. pic.twitter.com/DPOlHaGLRv
— Ngarra Murray (@ngarra_murray) November 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/JamesBolster/status/1465282129420378121
#RIP David Gulpilil; inspirational Indigenous Australian actor. He dedicated his life "for Australia and for my people and for our culture … I’m doing it for Black and white to know better that we have culture and history still existent.” https://t.co/1Aq8pPNtxm @dialmformovies
— Mike Barnes (@MikeBarnes4) November 29, 2021
R.I.P. Indigenous Australian actor David Gulpilil, known for his work in Nicolas Roeg's 'Walkabout,' and Peter Weir's 'The Last Wave,' among many other performances. https://t.co/itX92c7EKG pic.twitter.com/5tndktShdP
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) November 29, 2021
