Gary Waddell dies aged 74: the brilliant Australian actor who turned small roles into great ones

Key points

• Australian actor Gary Waddell has died aged 74. He became a familiar face in Australian film and television over several decades, starting with the 1976 drug drama Pure Shit.
• Waddell was known for bringing weight to small roles, including his standout performance as the title character in the 2012 black comedy The King Is Dead!
• His final screen performance was in the 2022 film The Survival of Kindness.