Vincent Gil dead: Mad Max star dies with tributes paid to iconic Nightrider villain
Australian actor Vincent Gil, who was best known for his role as Nightrider in the 1979 hit film Mad Max, has died at the age of 83. Friend and co-star Paul ‘Cundalini’ Johnstone shared the sad news via a touching and moving tribute
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Vincent Gil, best known for playing Nightrider in Mad Max has died at the age of 83.
His death comes following reports the Hollywood actor had been “frail for some time”.
The late actor’s death was announced by his friend and Mad Max co-star Paul ‘Cundalini’ Johnstone over the weekend, who broke the news on Facebook alongside a recent snap of the two stars posing together.
He captioned the image: “Sadly, it is true… Vince Gil has left us. He’s been very frail for quite some time and mercifully no longer needs to be constrained by his mortal form.”
Paul then went on to share one of his favourite memories involving his late friend, which took place during a tour of Japan in 2015.
The late actor starring as Nightrider in the 1979 movie Mad Max
Image:
( Warner Bros)
“He was already in less-than-ideal health, and in the opening days a couple of us were concerned about his ability to get through the long demanding days of convention and socialising and travel and convention,” he recalled.
“We need not have been concerned,” Paul continued. “Vince was remarkable – he rose to the occasion every time, fed off the energy of the wonderful Japanese fans, and on the occasions when I’d glance at him and be worried about his ability to keep going, he’d shrug off any concerns and showed that he had a lot more stamina than many of we much younger men.”
Vincent Gil’s death was confirmed by his friend and Mad Max co-star
Image:
( Facebook/ Paul Cundalini Johnstone)
Paul concluded his touching tribute to his late friend with a reference to a scene from his biggest movie, Mad Max.
“Rest well old friend – we will remember you when we look at the night sky,” he wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
Vincent was born in Sydney, Australia in 1939 and appeared in a number of features and films before appearing in Mad Max, including; Stone, Solo, Against The Wind and You Can’t See ’round Corners.
Tributes have been pouring in for the late actor
Image:
( Aflo/REX/Shutterstock)
After his breakthrough role as Nightrider in Mad Max, Vince went on to star films and thrillers – in both Hollywood and his native Australia.
Throughout the 90s and early 00s, Vince appeared in futuristic Australia film Resistance (1992), thriller Encounter (1993), drama The Bank (2001) and his final feature, The Long Lunch (2003).
“We remember the Night Rider and we know who you are,” one fan began their tribute on Twitter. “R.I.P Vincent Gil. Integral part of Australia’s greatest ever film.”
Many quoted the late actor’s lines from Mad Max when paying tribute online
Image:
( Warner Bros)
Another fan wrote: “‘I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy! I’m hotter than a rollin’ dice.
“Step right up, chum, and watch the kid lay down a rubber road, right to freedom’ Vale Vincent Gil.”
Vince’s death comes as work continues on the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, Furiosa.
The prequel to the 2015 Australian post-apocalyptic action film will see Anya Taylor-Joy play a young Furiosa, while Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke will also star in unspecified roles.
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