Australian author, playwright, scriptwriter, and actor Alan Hopgood has passed away after a long battle with cancer, aged 87.

Hopgood was best known for appearing in a string of celebrated TV series – Bellbird as Dr Reed, Prisoner as Wally Wallace and Neighbours as Jack Lassiter.

He also appeared in the films My Brilliant Career, The Blue Lagoon, The Man From Snowy River II and Evil Angels, and wrote the screenplay for the hit film Alvin Purple.

“Our hearts are heavy today at news of the loss of a dear friend of ours. Vale Alan Hopgood AM. His extraordinary contribution through the three plays he wrote and performed with us to over 200 healthcare audiences has been transformative. It has been a privilege to have Alan as our Hush patron,” writes Professor Catherine Crock AM of Go Kindness.

“We will be forever grateful for his unwavering support of Hush and the wisdom he imparted. Transforming healthcare culture with kindness and the arts has been our shared dream.

“Our thoughts are with [his wife] Gay and the family in this time, knowing this remarkable and gifted man is very much loved, and knowing his collection of creative works, his legacy, live on. We’ll miss you very much, Hoppy.”

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Hopgood died peacefully in a Melbourne hospital and is survived by his wife Gay, son Sam, daughter Fincina and four grandsons.