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Tributes flow for Australian movie icon David Dalaithngu

Headshot of Rangi Hirini
Rangi HiriniThe West Australian
David Dalaithngu was a trailblazer in the Australian film industry.
Camera IconDavid Dalaithngu was a trailblazer in the Australian film industry. Credit: Guardian Australia/Guardian Australia

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images of a person who has died.

The late actor’s family has granted permission to use his image. For cultural reasons, he is referred to as David Dalaithngu.

High profile Australian actors, sport stars, and politicians have all paid tribute to Aboriginal actor David Dalaithngu following his sudden passing overnight.

Dalaithngu was a trailblazer in the Australian film industry who broke barriers for Indigenous actors, becoming one of the first Aboriginal actors to be welcomed into the arts industry.

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He was better known by a different surname at the height of his stardom, but The West Australian understands that for Indigenous cultural reasons that name can’t be used.

On Monday night, South Australian premier Steven Marshall announced Dalaithngu had passed following his long-term battle with lung cancer.

As the news spread around the world, famous Australians were among the first to pay tribute to the man they all loved and adored.

David Gulpilil in My Name is Gulpilil
Camera IconDavid Dalaithngu died after a battle with lung cancer. Credit: Unknown/Supplied

Hugh Jackman said The Rabbit-Proof Fence actor’s contribution to the industry was “immeasurable”.

“I join all Australians, and the world over, in mourning the loss of David Dalaithngu. One of the great privileges of my life was to work with David on the movie Australia,” Jackman wrote on Instagram.

“His contribution to film is immeasurable. From his cheeky laugh, to that mischievous glint in his eye and effortless ease in front of the camera … His humanity is irreplaceable.”

Gold medallist Cathy Freeman also took to social media to express her condolences. In a simple tweet, she wrote “Thank you for the inspiration”.

West Australian actor Meyne Wyatt tweeted that Dalaithngu was the great of all time.

“We all move up one. The (goat emoji) ! Master of the manipulating the camera to his whims. RIP David Gulpilil.”

Human rights lawyer Kon Karapanagiotidis said Dalaithngu “challenged us to learn”.

The National Indigenous Television’s Channel manager Tanya Denning Orman thanked the actor for “telling stories that changed how our nation thinks”.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has also issued a statement on the passing, stating that Dalaithngu took “Aboriginal culture mainstream”.

“Through his iconic roles, it would be fair to say David is the most recognisable Aboriginal man in the world. He took Aboriginal culture mainstream and global and, for this, his contribution to raising the profile of our people and Australia cannot be overstated.”

Dalaithngu was raised in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, he’s part of the Mandjalpingu (Djilba) clan of the Yolngu people.

In 2017, the actor was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and was advised that he only had months to live.

His debut in acting occurred during a time where non-Indigenous actors played the role of the ‘Aborigine’. Ask any Aboriginal actor who their inspiration is and Dalaithngu would up there.

Earlier this year, his last film —My Name is Gulpilil premiered. During the film, the actor spoke candidly about his career and his love of filmmaking.

“I like making film, it’s nature, that’s how I am,” he said.

“My acting is normal, I don’t pretend, I don’t have to go and act, I just jump in and stand there and the camera sees me.”

My Name is Gulpilil (2021)
Camera IconDavid Dalaithngu in the documentary My Name is Gulpilil. Credit: Guardian Australia/Guardian Australia

During the film, he amusingly relates some of his adventures: dining with the Queen, carousing with Dennis Hopper, partying with Muhammad Ali and getting high for the first time with Bob Marley.

Dalaithngu expressed his wishes in the film to return to his homeland after his passing.

“My spirit will return back to my country. I will lay down there on the soil, he will come and visit me,” he said.

He was 68 years-old.

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