Alan Hopgood, a well-known Australian author, actor, and dramatist, died at the age of 87.
The Melbourne actor, who was best known for his appearances in Prisoner and Neighbours, died on Saturday, accompanied by his family, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Hopgood is survived by his wife Gay, son Sam, daughter Finci, and four grandkids, who played Jack Lassiter on Neighbours.
A close friend described Hopgood as a “charming person,” complimenting his contribution to screen and theatre, according to the Herald Sun.
“He’s appeared in almost every Australian television show, and he’s played a part in every one of them.” In 1963, he composed the first play about football, which became his most famous work. That was a great hit in Melbourne, and everyone wanted to see it since it was the first time a play on football had been written.
“He was a wonderful man, and the other amazing thing about him was that everyone constantly said how charming he was.”
Hopgood was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the 1990s and recorded his battle with the disease in the book Surviving Prostate Cancer – One Man’s Journey, which was published in 1996.
He went on to perform comedy shows and give men’s talks on his cancer experience, as well as create a one-man play called The Carer. He went on to write ten more plays about health, and in 2006, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the performing arts and community by increasing awareness of men’s health issues.
Meryl Streep, Brooke Shields, Frank Thring, Sam Neill, and Judy Davis were among the many big-name local and international stars he worked with throughout the course of his decades-long career.
