By Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 16:38 BST, 27 July 2024 | Updated: 16:39 BST, 27 July 2024

Ray Lawler has died at age 103. 

The beloved Australian playwright was best known for his groundbreaking play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll,. 

The theatre legend died in Melbourne on Wednesday after what was described as a ‘brief illness’. 

He is survived by his wife, Jacklyn Kelleher, as well as three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, the Herald Sun reported. 

Tributes rolled in at the sad news, with The Melbourne Theatre Company sharing a moving post to Instagram. 

‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Lawler, former Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director and trailblazer of Australian playwriting’ it read.

‘Lawler’s 1955 play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll was a turning point in Australian theatre history, and this legacy continues today, decades later, in the Company’s commitment to fostering new Australian writing. 

‘Our thoughts are with Ray’s family and friends, and the theatre community.’

Ray Lawler (pictured) has died at age 103. The beloved Australian playwright was best known for his groundbreaking play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Ray Lawler (pictured) has died at age 103. The beloved Australian playwright was best known for his groundbreaking play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Fans of the playwright took to the comments below the post write their own tributes. 

‘So sad to hear of his passing. Summer of the Seventeenth Doll had a huge impact on me as a student, the first modern play I ever saw… still as relevant today. End of an era’ wrote one person. 

Another said: ‘A beautiful tribute for an Australian luminary and trailblazer. Vale Ray Lawler, thank you for your reflections on Australian life’. 

Yet another added: ‘He gave us a great deal of enjoyment. Rest easy Sir.’ 

The theatre legend died in Melbourne on Wednesday after what was described as a 'brief illness'

The theatre legend died in Melbourne on Wednesday after what was described as a 'brief illness'

The theatre legend died in Melbourne on Wednesday after what was described as a ‘brief illness’

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll debuted at Melbourne University's Union Theatre in 1955. It was made into a film in 1959, starring Angela Lansbury

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll debuted at Melbourne University's Union Theatre in 1955. It was made into a film in 1959, starring Angela Lansbury

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll debuted at Melbourne University’s Union Theatre in 1955. It was made into a film in 1959, starring Angela Lansbury

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll debuted at Melbourne University’s Union Theatre in 1955.

It was made into a film in 1959, starring Angela Lansbury, Anne Baxter, John Mills and Ernest Borgnine.

Lawler was celebrated for his talents throughout his life in Australia and abroad, having been named an Officer of the Australian Order (AO) in 2023. 

He was also named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1980.

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Australian trailblazer playwright Ray Lawler best known for Summer of the Seventeenth Doll dies at age 103: ‘His legacy continues’

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