Australian screen legend Jack Thompson has been celebrated by leading figures from Hollywood and the Australian film industry as he faces a serious health battle at the age of 86.
Thompson, who has enjoyed a six-decade career and appeared in more than 100 shows and films, received the tributes in his role as president of the Asia-Pacific Screen Academy.
Among those to send a message was Russell Crowe, who first met Thompson on a film set in 1970, when Crowe was six years old.
“He has always been a mentor. What’s more important? He’s my mate,” Crowe said.
Recalling their first meeting, the Academy Award winner added: “I met Jack first on a set in 1970 when I was six years old and delivered my first on-camera line to Jack Thompson. He’s been a huge influence in my life and I appreciate him deeply.”
Thompson was visibly moved by the surprise video, replying: “Oh, you lovely bastard. That’s fantastic, mate.”
Sean Penn also paid tribute, describing Thompson as “the force of a man and a great force in film”.
Jack Thompson’s health battle
Behind the celebrations, Thompson is undergoing dialysis every three days. He revealed that a nephrologist had told his wife: “Mrs Thompson, you can have a dialysed Jack or you can have a dead Jack.”
Despite the strain of his treatment, Thompson remains determined to continue living and working. “So I’m living on borrowed time and I’m going to go on borrowing that time,” he said.
Raised by poets after being orphaned, Thompson said his life had been extraordinary and insisted he was not ready to leave it behind.
“I love life. It’s the only thing I know,” he said.
