Charlize Theron has paid tribute to her Mad Max co-star Hugh Keays-Byrne on social media.
The actress played Furiosa in George Miller’s rebooted franchise, alongside Keays-Byrne who starred as Toecutter in the original 1979, and Immortan Joe in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road.
- Read more: Mad Max: Fury Road – film review
“RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne,” Theron wrote on Twitter. “It’s amazing you were able to play an evil warlord so well cause you were such a kind, beautiful soul. You will be deeply missed my friend.”
RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne
It’s amazing you were able to play an evil warlord so well cause you were such a kind, beautiful soul. You will be deeply missed my friend. pic.twitter.com/kXDhNs5jEU
— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) December 2, 2020
The news of Keays-Byrne’s death at the age of 73 was announced by filmmaker Ted Geoghegan on Twitter.
Geoghegan wrote: “Hugh Keays-Byrne, an unsung hero of Aussie cinema, has passed away at age 73. I’m continually floored that he played Toecutter, the central antagonist of 1979’s MAD MAX *and* Immortan Joe, the central antagonist 2015’s MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. Thanks for all the entertainment, sir.”
Hugh Keays-Byrne, an unsung hero of Aussie cinema, has passed away at age 73. I'm continually floored that he played Toecutter, the central antagonist of 1979's MAD MAX *and* Immortan Joe, the central antagonist 2015's MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. Thanks for all the entertainment, sir. pic.twitter.com/55W99w3wzq
— Ted Geoghegan (@tedgeoghegan) December 2, 2020
The official Mad Max account paid their respects as well, writing: “Return my treasures to me, and I myself will carry you through the gates of Valhalla. You shall ride eternal. Shiny, and chrome!” Rest in peace, Hugh Keays-Byrne.”
Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, who directed Bacurau earlier this year, said: “A face of Cinema. RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne.”
“Return my treasures to me, and I myself will carry you through the gates of Valhalla. You shall ride eternal. Shiny, and chrome!”
Rest in peace, Hugh Keays-Byrne. pic.twitter.com/1N7NxnHfU1— Mad Max Movie (@MadMaxMovie) December 3, 2020
A face of Cinema. RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne.
— Kleber Mendonça Filho (@kmendoncafilho) December 2, 2020
Hugh Keays-Byrne also starred in the sci-fi television series Farscape, as well as Resistance, For Love Alone, Kangaroo and more.
As well as film and television, he worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company a number of times, starring in As You Like It, The Balcony, Hamlet and King Lear.
The actor and filmmaker is survived by his partner, Christina.
The post Charlize Theron leads tribute to late ‘Mad Max’ co-star Hugh Keays-Byrne appeared first on NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News.
