The star of Mad Max and Mad Max: Fury Road, Hugh Keays Byrne, died on Dec 1, at the age of 73. He starred in the famous two Mad Max franchise films as an antagonist.
Ted Geoghegan, the director, announced Byrne’s death. He said that Hugh Keays Byrne’s contribution to cinema as an Australian actor is very much significant. The actor’s portrayal of an antagonist in the Mad Max franchise films has been his all-time favorite.
Hugh KeaysByrne gained significant popularity after playing the part of the villain “Toecutter” in the 1979 film Mad Max. He was opposite the famous actor Mel Gibson in that movie. In 2015 he was revived as the antagonist “Immortan Joe” opposite Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road.
George Miller, the Mac Max director, and Hugh Keays Byrne’s long working friendship
George Miller, who directed both these films, had a fine rapport with the Australian actor. He first saw Hugh in the 1974 film “Stone.” Then he cast him in the Mad Max in 1979. Hugh was also in Miller directed DC franchise movie Justice League: Mortal. The director and actor duo had a strong friendship over the years.
Byrne acted in over 50 shows and films
Hugh Keays Byrne also acted in films like Resistance, Stone, The Chain Reaction, Runaway Island, and several other Australian and British shows and films. The actor born in India in 1947 with British parents also acted under Peter brook’s direction, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He first went to Australia in 1973 for that play and settled there since then.
He has acted in over 50 films and shows in a five-decade career. You must check out the ones you haven’t watched already.
The reason for the actor’s death is yet unknown. May his soul rest in peace.