Mad Max: Fury Road actor Hugh Keays-Byrne who played Immortan Joe has died aged 73
Mad Max: Fury Road actor Hugh Keays-Byrne has died aged 73, it has been confirmed.
The Anglo-Australian character actor was beloved by fans for his work as “Immortan Joe” in the 2015 movie, and also for playing Toecutter in the 1979 original Mad Max movie.
Filmmaker Ted Geoghegan confirmed the news on Twitter Wednesday, writing: “Hugh Keays-Byrne, an unsung hero of Aussie cinema, has passed away at age 73.”
RIP: Mad Max: Fury Road actor Hugh Keays-Byrne – pictured above in 2015 at the LA premiere of the film – has died aged 73, it has been confirmed
He added: “I’m continually floored that he played Toecutter, the central antagonist of 1979’s MAD MAX *and* Immortan Joe, the central antagonist 2015’s MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. Thanks for all the entertainment, sir.”
Byrne had a loyal working relationship with Mad Max director George Miller, as he also appeared in Miller’s Justice League: Mortal, playing the role of Martian Manhunter.
The actor and director was born in 1947 to British parents in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (part of the British Raj then, now India) and moved to Australia in 1973 to pursue a career in film and television.
However, before that he found his first acting gig in the UK programme Boys Meets Girl in 1967, after having parts in Royal Shakespeare Company productions including As You Like It, The Balcony, Doctor Faustus, Hamlet, and King Lear.
Character actor: The Australian thespian was beloved by fans for his work as “Immortan Joe” in the 2015 movie, and also for playing Toecutter in the 1979 original Mad Max movie.