Australian TV veteran Tony Healey, best known for starring on the series Kommotion, has died.
The star‘s family friend Ash Long confirmed the news in an emotional statement posted to Facebook on February 12.
“Vale Tony Healey. Oh, what fun we have had over the years,” he wrote.
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“A mutual mate phoned me at the weekend to let me know that Tony was in hospital with seriously reduced heart and kidney function,” Long wrote.
Long said Healey “had been hale and hearty just days previously.”
“Tony’s death was announced this afternoon (Wed.) by his fellow members of the Gold Coast-based Go-Set Club.”
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Long paid tribute to the singer who “had a business brain, and was associated with countless promotions, working as a journo and as a PR man.”
“Deepest sympathy to Tony’s family and friends. As Tony would say ‘Bestest’,” he signed of the lengthy post.
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Healey was best known as one of the original performers on the 1960s Australian musical television series, Kommotion.
Healey was on the Network 10 series from 1965 to 1967.
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After his TV stint, the star went on to have a career in journalism, working as a travel journalist.
Many paid tribute to the Australian entertainment personality on social media.
RPP FM – Your Peninsula Radio said it was “so sad to hear that a great member of RPP – Tony Healey has passed away. Thank you for all you did for RPP, you will be missed …”
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Another of Healey’s friends Gary Mac remembered the star on Facebook as “a wonderful friend to a vast number of people.”
“As Bob Pritchard wrote in a tribute to Tony, he was a forceful presence in the entertainment industry in Australia and will be missed, but always remembered.”
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