JACK THOMPSON, 86, HONOURED BY RUSSELL CROWE AND SEAN PENN AS HE BATTLES ILLNESS
Australian screen legend Jack Thompson has been showered with tributes from Hollywood heavyweights, as he speaks openly about his ongoing health battle.
Jack Thompson, 86, lives with end-stage kidney disease and relies on regular dialysis, 7NEWS reported on 1 November.
Despite that, the much-loved actor says he is keen to keep working and has no plans to retire.
Jack Thompson On Living With Kidney Disease
Thompson has been remarkably candid about his health over the years.
He has described his situation as "living on borrowed time", yet he remains keen to keep doing the work he loves.
According to 7NEWS, he now has dialysis every three days.
In a 2019 interview, he recalled going to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and being told he was around 48 hours from not waking up.
He has since spoken warmly about the treatment that keeps him going, once joking on Seven's Spotlight that dialysis was a friendly robot doing the work of a kidney.
While filming the 2020 film High Ground in Arnhem Land, he relied on the Purple Truck, a mobile dialysis service run by the Aboriginal-owned organisation Purple House, which also cares for people in remote communities.
Tributes From Hollywood And Home
The tributes came as Thompson was honoured for his six-decade career and his long service as president of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
Russell Crowe sent a surprise video message, calling Thompson a mentor and his mate.
Crowe recalled first meeting him on a film set when he was just six years old.
Hollywood star Sean Penn also paid tribute, describing Thompson as "a great force in film".
A number of Australian co-stars and colleagues added their own warm words.
A Festival Opened In His Honour
The 2026 Asia Pacific Screen Forum opened in Thompson's honour on Wednesday 28 October on the Gold Coast, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards announced.
The opening night featured a screening of Burke and Wills, a film he chose himself and has described as one of the most demanding experiences of his career.
The 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards followed on Friday 30 October.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate described him as a true Aussie legend.
A Career That Helped Build Our Film Industry
For many of us, Jack Thompson is woven into the story of Australian cinema.
He became a star during the Australian film renaissance of the 1970s, with roles in Sunday Too Far Away and The Club.
He went on to star in Breaker Morant and The Man from Snowy River, two films that are still much loved by Australian audiences.
International audiences also know him as Cliegg Lars in Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones.
Over his career he has appeared in more than 100 productions, and his recent work includes High Ground and the family film Runt.
Why His Openness Matters
Kidney disease is often called a silent illness, because many people don't notice symptoms until it is well advanced.
By talking about dialysis so openly, Thompson has helped shine a light on a treatment that many Australian families live with every week.
His story is also a reminder of the dedicated nurses, doctors and services, like Purple House, that make treatment possible, even in remote parts of the country.
If you are concerned about your kidney health, your GP can arrange simple blood and urine tests, and Kidney Health Australia has helpful information.
Still Doing What He Loves
At 86, Thompson shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to his passion for film.
He has made it clear he would rather keep working than step back from the industry he helped build.
There is something inspiring about that kind of grit and gratitude.
We are wishing Jack Thompson strength and comfort, and many more days doing what he loves.
