Lillian Crombie of The Secret Life of Us and Mystery Road dies at 66 as tributes pour in for star of Baz Luhrmann’s Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman
Australian actress Lillian Crombie has died at the age of 66.
The Port Pirie-born star was best known for her roles in the cult TV series The Secret Life of Us and Mystery Road, as well as Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia.
Crombie’s death was announced on Tuesday by her daughter Elaine Crombie, who shared a moving tribute to her beloved mother on Facebook.
“Lily of the Valley danced around the world, performed on stages around the world, graced the big screen, the small screen and absolutely left a mark on our lives,” she wrote.
The sad news was quickly flooded with tributes to the proud Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara woman, including one from prominent indigenous actor Natasha Wanganeen.
Australian actress Lillian Crombie has died at the age of 66. Pictured
The Port Pirie-born star was best known for her roles in the cult TV series The Secret Life of Us and Mystery Road, as well as Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. Pictured alongside Australia’s cast including Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and director Luhrmann
‘Thank you for everything you have done for our people. You are an inspiration and always will be to all who knew and loved you,” she wrote.
Elsewhere, the South Australian Film Corporation said it heard the news with “deep sadness”.
In 2019, Crombie received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Equity Foundation for her contributions to the arts.
Crombie’s death was announced on Tuesday by her daughter Elaine Crombie, who shared a moving tribute to her beloved mother on Facebook. “Lily of the Valley danced around the world, performed on stages around the world, graced the big screen, the small screen and absolutely left a mark on our lives,” she wrote.
Australian playwright and artistic director Wesley Enoch described her as a pioneer who paved the way for First Nations storytelling.
“Her great comedic timing is legendary. Who could ever resist the way she blinks, smiles and makes you laugh while delivering a huge life lesson,” he said at the time.
“Working with Lillian is like a roller coaster where she keeps you guessing in the rehearsal room, but when she is in front of an audience she always knows how to win hearts and minds.”
In addition to her stellar on-screen career, she has also appeared on stage with some of the country’s most prestigious theater groups, including the Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Theater Company and the State Theater Company of SA.
In 2015, Lillian founded the Lillian Crombie Foundation to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families travel, whether for ‘Sorry Business’ when they have lost loved ones, or to visit relatives who are seriously ill.
The sad news was quickly flooded with tributes to the proud Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara woman, including one from prominent indigenous actor Natasha Wanganeen. ‘Thank you for everything you have done for our people. You are an inspiration and always will be to all who knew and loved you,” she wrote