Australian actor Tom Long, known for his roles in television series SeaChange and film The Dish, has died at the age of 51.
The actor died from encephalitis on Saturday after achieving remission last year from multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in bone marrow, which he had for seven years.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Australian parents, Long grew up in Benalla, Victoria and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. He made his television debut in an episode of GP in 1992.
Long came to prominence in Australia when he took on the role of the kind-hearted surfer and anxious court clerk Angus in ABC TV’s beloved drama series, SeaChange. He went on to appear in films Two Hands, The Dish, and The Book of Revelation, as well as TV series Young Lions, East of Everything, and Woodley.
Long retired from performing in 2012 after he fainted on stage during a performance of Coranderrk: We Will Show the Country, at the Sydney Opera House. He later revealed he had been undergoing cancer treatment at the time.
He revealed he was living with what doctors said was incurable cancer in March last year, and was about to embark upon experimental, last-ditch treatment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle.
Long achieved remission after participating in the treatment, a form of immunotherapy that alters cells in a person’s immune system to specifically attack cancerous cells.
Long’s wife, Rebecca Fleming, told the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age on Sunday that when Long died he was “really at peace and in his home”.
The cancer treatment “really did work,” Fleming said. “I just want to set that clear. He didn’t die from multiple myeloma. Over the seven years that Tom’s had cancer he has fought hard and he has tried all the different therapies as they’ve come out. The Car T-cell therapy that he took part in last year was the last hope for him. He achieved remission and he was so grateful.”
Actors, colleagues and fans expressed their sorrow and condolences on social media over the weekend.
Sam Neill, who performed with Long in The Dish, a film about the role of the Parkes observatory in broadcasting the moon-landing in 1969, said on Twitter that Long was “the sweetest man, and a fine, fine funny actor. And a great pleasure to work with.”
Very sad to hear we have lost Tom Long. The sweetest man, and a fine, fine funny actor. And a great pleasure to work with.
— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) January 5, 2020
Vale #TomLong pic.twitter.com/DQx7rkcdLe
Long’s SeaChange co-star David Wenham said Long was “a sublime actor and beautiful human being”.
Fellow actor and friend Anthony Hayes called Long a “giant of a human” and a national treasure. “Tom Long was one of the most beautiful humans I ever met. A rare soul. Kind, funny, warm, all things that matter. This one hurts. Love to his family & all who loved him,” he said on Twitter.
Vale Tom Long A sublime actor and beautiful human being
— David Wenham (@WenhamDavid) January 5, 2020
My heart is so heavy. Tom Long was one of the most beautiful humans I ever met. A rare soul. Kind, funny, warm, all things that matter. This one hurts. Love to his family & all who loved him. He was a giant of a human. And a national treasure. I’m so grateful for the memories
— Anthony Hayes (@theanthonyhayes) January 5, 2020
Australian production company Working Dog, producers of The Dish, said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Tom Long. Our thoughts are with his wife Rebecca, his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/R4z0KM2eik
— Working Dog (@workingdogprod) January 5, 2020
Fleming expressed her gratitude for the support and depth of feeling being expressed for Long. “Tom’s mindset was always really positive because he felt really supported ... by the Australian people and our community,” she said.
Long is survived by his wife and son, Ariel.
