Musical theatre star Michael Falzon dies at 48: Prolific stage actor known for his roles in We Will Rock You and Hedwig and the Angry Inch loses his cancer battle
- The actor died on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of germ cell cancer last year
- Tributes flowed overnight as friends remembered Michael as a 'vital' performer
- He had leading roles in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and We Will Rock You, among countless other stage productions
- Michael is survived by his wife, classically trained violinist Jane Cho
Prolific musical theatre actor Michael Falzon has died of cancer at the age of 48.
He passed away on Tuesday night and is survived by his wife, classically trained violinist Jane Cho.
Michael, who had leading roles in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and We Will Rock You, had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of germ cell cancer last year.
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Tragedy: Prolific musical theatre actor Michael Falzon has died of cancer at the age of 48. Pictured on April 2, 2019 in Sydney
Germ cell tumours are growths that form on reproductive cells.
The stage performer had been documenting his cancer treatment on social media, but stopped posting seven days ago.
Tributes flowed overnight as friends, family and colleagues remembered Michael as a 'vital member of this industry'.
British musical theatre actress Jenna Lee-James shared a photo of herself and Michael to Instagram, and wrote: 'Words fail me. You were a one-off. Not only an incredible performer and businessman, but you were also a beautiful soul.
Devastating loss: He passed away on Tuesday night and is survived by his wife, violinist Jane Cho. They are pictured at the Helpmann Awards in Sydney on July 24, 2017
Gone too soon: Michael, who had leading roles in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and We Will Rock You, had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of germ cell cancer last year. He is pictured on stage with Queen guitarist Brian May at Sydney's Lyric Theatre on October 8, 2004
'You fought so hard and I'm so glad I got to hug you on my travels last year in Sydney.
'Sending so much love to Jane and all the Falzon family tonight. There is another star in the sky tonight. Until we sing together again.'
Australian operatic mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark tweeted: 'Travel well, dearest Michael. You brought joy and light to the world and will be missed beyond words. Deepest sympathy and all my love to Jane and his family.'
Brave battle: The stage performer had been documenting his cancer treatment on social media, but stopped posting seven days ago
Ian Phipps, a leading theatre publicist, also posted on Twitter: 'Vale Michael Falzon. You fought valiantly until the last, my friend.
'Your beaming smile, huge talent and incredible positivity will be missed by so many friends, family and fans. We are the better for having known you. Love to Jane and your family.'
Doctor Doctor star Rodger Corser wrote: 'Incredibly sad. We have lost a very special man.'
Actor, singer and Today Extra host David Campbell tweeted on Wednesday: 'We lost the great Michael Falzon last night. A vital member of this industry.
'He was a leading man and producer. He loved the arts and he loved what we do. He had a smile that could light up a stage and the first ten rows. Sending my love to his wife Jane and his family.'
Beloved: Tributes flowed overnight as friends, family and colleagues remembered Michael as a 'vital member of this industry'. Pictured with his wife
Tribute: Actor, singer and Today Extra host David Campbell tweeted on Wednesday: 'We lost the great Michael Falzon last night. A vital member of this industry'
Gone, but not forgotten: Ian Phipps, a leading theatre publicist, also posted on Twitter: 'Vale Michael Falzon. You fought valiantly until the last, my friend'
Missed: Australian operatic mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark tweeted: 'Travel well, dearest Michael. You brought joy and light to the world and will be missed beyond words'
'Words fail': British musical theatre actress Jenna Lee-James wrote: 'Words fail me. You were a one-off. Not only an incredible performer and businessman, but you were also a beautiful soul'
Michael, who was a vegetarian and lived a healthy lifestyle, described his cancer diagnosis as 'dumb luck' during an interview with Studio 10 in October last year.
'It was a surprise. I was in rehearsals for Sweeney Todd, I'd just finished Evita, everything was going well, and then you get struck down,' he said.
The news came as a shock because he had no symptoms. Because of his otherwise good health, he was given the 'most aggressive treatment' available.
'I don't feel responsible': In October last year, Michael said he took some comfort in the fact his disease wasn't caused by poor lifestyle choices, like when smokers develop lung cancer. Pictured on August 10, 2019 in Melbourne
He revealed on Studio 10 that doctors were optimistic about his progress.
'They're still chasing it,' he said. 'I feel good - I keep bouncing back, which they're pleased with.'
That same month, he told The Sydney Morning Herald that his diagnosis had encouraged other men in his social circle to get themselves checked for cancer.
'It's confronting for everybody. You're faced with your own questions of mortality. We're all touched by this at various points in our lives, I'm not special in that regard; but within your circle, when it happens it's a lot,' he said.
Luck of the draw: Michael, who was a vegetarian and lived a healthy lifestyle, described his cancer diagnosis as 'dumb luck' during an interview with Studio 10 in October. Pictured right in a production of We Will Rock You at Sydney's Lyric Theatre on October 8, 2004
Michael took some comfort in the fact his disease wasn't caused by poor lifestyle choices, like when smokers develop lung cancer.
He said: 'I don't feel responsible, which is a good way to feel about it. If I was one of those unfortunate sufferers that maybe could have done something about it... this was just something that was in my genes and there was no way to pick it up before it happened.'
Michael, the third of six children born to a Maltese father and an Australian mother, was raised in Sydney and Brisbane.
Support system: Michael is pictured right with family and friends during his cancer battle
He was inspired to become a musical theatre performer after watching a stadium production of Jesus Chris Superstar starring John Farnham in 1992.
His first major role was in the Australian production of We Will Rock You in 2003. He went on to star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (2009), Rock of Ages (2011) and Evita (2018 – 2019).
Michael's final role was as Adolfo Pirelli in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2019), but he was forced to withdraw from this production due to his cancer.
Early days: Michael, the third of six children born to a Maltese father and an Australian mother, was raised in Sydney and Brisbane. He was inspired to become a musical theatre performer after watching a stadium production of Jesus Chris Superstar starring John Farnham in 1992
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2020-06-24 01:55:11Z
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