Tributes have been paid after the death of locally-based actor and activist, Tony Barry, who died on December 21, 2022 in Murwillumbah, NSW, after a long illness.
A statement from his family reads, ‘It is with deep sadness that we advise that Australian actor, Tony Barry, has passed away, aged 81’.
‘Barry was born in Ipswich, Qld on August 28, 1941, and he performed in nearly 60 feature films, and more than 45 television series, in a career that spanned more than 40 years.
‘He was a fierce fighter for the underdog, and the only Australian to feature on a New Zealand postage stamp for his iconic lead role in Geoff Murphy’s Goodby Pork Pie,’ says Dame Gaylene Preston.
Honorary Kiwi
Preston directed Barry in Home By Christmas, which won him Best Performance by an Actor at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards in 2010.
‘He considered himself an honorary Kiwi.’
His family statement went on: ‘In addition to his acting career, Tony was known for his deep and long-term commitment over many years to volunteer work including Indigenous rights, working as part of rehabilitation programs in the justice system, and a range of environmental activism.
‘Tony is survived by his son, Bou Barry, his two granddaughters, his sister, nieces and nephews.
Filmmaker, David Bradbury, told The Echo, ‘I lost my best mate last week. Not my “best buddy”, not “my bro”. But my best mate. Tony Barry. Old Australia. Where “mate” encompasses a lot more than the modern imported Americanism and the cult of the individual has taken over. Tony and I met 40 years ago, during the big push to get justice for Aboriginal people, during the Deaths in Custody Royal Commission.
‘Our friendship remained through many a cause we both embraced, and films of mine he narrated. Anti-nuclear, freedom for West Papuans, the release of Julian Assange, protection of our north coast forests and its unique biodiversity’.
Vale Tony and dear dog Shep. You will be missed. The years of hard activist work with the environmental issues, NSW Prison working with the Mental Health Crew, The Black Deaths in Custody, The Hilton Bombing campaigns and so on…..on and on. We both witnessed and have lived the ageing process and the diminishment of energy but Tony maintained a passion for social justice that was always ‘in his bones’. Mate, you left a huge impression and legacy for us all. Enjoy the Jazz musos playing for God…our last get together was thus punctuated and do sing Ella Fitzgerald’s great songs….that you also sang divinely. Another chapter eh? Onwards with gentleness.
What a voice, what a loss.
Vale Tony.
A Great Australian at rest now with his mate Shep.
Vale Tony, a true warrior for social justice, First Nations and the environment. Will be sadly missed, always had time to smile and say g’day to all…
A wonderful bloke.
Will be sadly missed by all who were honoured to sample him and his quintessential values for life and fairness.