Mad Max actor Vince ‘Nightrider’ Gil dies aged 83 after health battle as pals reveals he had been ‘frail for some time’
MAD Max actor Vincent "Nightrider" Gil has died aged 83 after pals revealed he had been "frail for some time".
The legendary Aussie actor played Crawford Montizano - also known as Nightrider - in the 1979 Mad Max film.
Co-star Paul "Cundalini" Johnstone shared the news on Facebook on Sunday alongside a pic of the two men posing arm-in-arm.
He wrote: "Sadly, it is true... Vince Gil has left us.
"He's been very frail for quite some time and mercifully no longer needs to be constrained by his mortal form."
In the touching tribute, Johnstone recalled being on tour in Japan with Gil in 2015.
READ MORE ON MAD MAX
He said: "He was already in less-than-ideal health, and in the opening days a couple of us were concerned about his ability to get through the long demanding days of convention and socialising and travel and convention.
"We need not have been concerned.
"Vince was remarkable - he rose to the occasion every time, fed off the energy of the wonderful Japanese fans, and on the occasions when I'd glance at him and be worried about his ability to keep going, he'd shrug off any concerns and showed that he had a lot more stamina than many of we much younger men."
Johnstone finished by referencing a famous scene from Mad Max.
Most read in The Sun
He said: "Rest well old friend - we will remember you when we look at the night sky."
Gil also played Dr Death in the iconic 1974 biker film Stone and appeared in a number of Aussie television shows including Neighbours, A Country Practice and Prisoner.
His passing comes as the latest Mad Max film is being shot in Australia.
Mad Max: Fury Road prequel Furiosa is being directed by George Miller, who recently returned to the franchise.
It stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Imperator Furiosa.
