Australian TV supremo Brian Walsh suddenly dies: Legendary executive was the brains behind Neighbours’ success and launched the careers of Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman
- TV legend Brian Walsh has died aged 68
- Launched Neighbours and careers of biggest stars
- Kylie Minougue, High Jackman and Nicole Kidman
The legendary TV executive Brian Walsh – who in a decades long career in radio, film and television was responsible for many of Australia’s biggest biggest entertainment exports – has died at 68.
Walsh was the prime mover behind the TV series Neighbours’ global success and the launch of the careers of stars Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.
Walsh, who was most recently an executive at Foxtel, was described by the company as ‘an iconic figure throughout Foxtel’s 28-year history and one of the most admired creative leaders in Australian television’.
After working at a young age in radio, Brian joined Network Ten where he launched major network events, including the acclaimed Kennedy Miller mini-series ‘Vietnam’, ‘The Bangkok Hilton’, and ‘The Dirtwater Dynasty’.
Brian’s also credited with responsibility for the international success of the iconic Australian family drama series, ‘Neighbours’ and launching the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, High Jackman and Guy Pearce.
Kyle and Jackie O reacted live on air to news of Walsh’s death with genuine shock and sadness.
Jackie O said: ‘Loved Brian. It’s a real shock…. He was very passionate. He was Foxtel.’
Kyle said: ‘Love to his family and friends and everyone at Foxtel. He was one of the nice television types.
‘That’s a shock to the system. When people you know die, it’s a shock to the system. We were close.’
In a statement expressing the Foxtel Group’s profound sadness, CEO Patrick Delany said: ‘This is a very difficult day for the Foxtel Group family, for Australia’s creative community and the millions of Australians who watched and loved the stories that Brian bought to life through television.
‘Australia’s creative community has lost a much-loved figure in Brian. For us, the loss is heavily felt.
‘At the Foxtel Group, Brian was a long-time mentor, a confidant, a colleague and an unwavering friend to so many. Today, we are grieving Brian’s passing.
‘Our condolences go to his family and to those closest to him. We have lost an icon of Australian television that will never be replaced. Rest in peace, Brian.’
Brian Walsh died in Sydney on Thursday.
