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Australian character actor Terry Norris – known for his roles in Jack Irish and Cop Shop – dies at the age of 92

Australian character actor Terry Norris died on Monday at the age of 92.

He is survived by his three children Dominic, Jane and Sarah, his wife Julia Blake, and their four grandchildren, reports TV Tonight.

Norris was one of Australia’s most experienced actors with nearly 80 screen credits to his name, in addition to a ten-year term in the Victorian Labor government.

He was best known for his roles in Cop Shop, Bellbird and Jack Irish.

He met his wife, an actress known for starring in Bed of Roses, Prisoner and Travelling North, in a British theatre troupe when he was 21. Both actors received the Equity Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Australian character actor Terry Norris (pictured) died on Monday at the age of 92

Australian character actor Terry Norris (pictured) died on Monday at the age of 92 

After his stint in the UK, Norris returned to Melbourne in 1962, where he had ’20 years with the longest run of luck of any actor on the face of the earth’.

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‘I was never, ever out of work. Sometimes doing two and three at the same time, because in those days there were lots of bits and pieces,’ he once told TV Tonight.

He portrayed mechanic Joe Turner in Bellbird, which was filmed at the ABC’s Ripponlea TV studios, for eight years while also performing at Tikki & John’s Theatre Restaurant and Brian Hannan’s Squizzy’s. 

Norris (left) is survived by his three children Dominic, Jane and Sarah, his wife Julia Blake (right), and their four grandchildren. (Pictured in Sydney on December 13, 2000)

Norris (left) is survived by his three children Dominic, Jane and Sarah, his wife Julia Blake (right), and their four grandchildren. (Pictured in Sydney on December 13, 2000)

Norris (pictured here in Cop Shop) was one of Australia's most experienced actors with nearly 80 screen credits under his belt, as well as a ten-year term in the Victorian Labor government

Norris (pictured here in Cop Shop) was one of Australia’s most experienced actors with nearly 80 screen credits under his belt, as well as a ten-year term in the Victorian Labor government

After several more guest roles, he landed a starring role as Senior Sergeant Eric O’Reilly in the police comedy show Cop Shop, for which he won a Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actor.

In 1982, Norris did a sharp turn into politics, serving for a decade as a member of the Victorian Labor government where he represented Dandenong constituents. 

He said it was a natural step forward from his union work for Actors Equity.

After the end of his political career, Norris scored several more film and TV roles, and notably played a barfly at the Prince of Prussia pub in Guy Pearce’s drama Jack Irish. 

Martin Foley, former Labor Member for Albert Park, posted a tribute to the late actor and politician on Twitter.

‘A sad loss for Victorian Labor on news of passing of Terry Norris aged 92. Actor, reformer, gentlemen and Member of Parliament for SE Melbourne,’ he wrote.

‘A great mentor to all those who followed him. Condolences to Julia and his family and many friends. Vale Terry Norris. Deeply missed.’

After the end of his political career, Norris scored several more film and TV roles, and notably played a barfly at the Prince of Prussia pub in Guy Pearce's (centre) drama Jack Irish

After the end of his political career, Norris scored several more film and TV roles, and notably played a barfly at the Prince of Prussia pub in Guy Pearce’s (centre) drama Jack Irish 

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