Beloved Australian actor who appeared in The Slap and NCIS: Sydney dead at 75 after twenty year battle with cancer

Beloved Australian actor Alexander ‘Lex’ Marinos died on Friday at age 75, after a twenty year battle with cancer.

The NSW-born thespian had a fifty year career across Australia’s entertainment sector as an actor, writer and TV director.

Some of his most iconic roles include his stint at Bruno in the legendary Australian sitcom Kingswood Country and as a supporting character in the 2011 miniseries The Slap.

He was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 and after years of successfully managing it, finally succumbed to his illness.

Lex was a long-running advocate for diversity across Australian entertainment, and was proud for being one of the first non-Anglo actors on Aussie TV.

Throughout his long career, he worked with many world famous actors, including Melissa George, Richard Roxburgh and Jonathan LaPaglia. 

His death was announced on social media by his family, in a heartbreaking post which revealed the details of his passing.

‘To our dear friends, colleagues and favourite people. It is with heavy hearts we let you know that Lex passed away peacefully on Friday morning,’ the post began.

Beloved Australian actor Alexander ‘Lex’ Marinos (pictured) died on Friday at age 75, after a twenty year battle with cancer

‘He died at home, at a moment of his choosing, surrounded by family and the sounds of Bob Dylan accompanying our vigil. There was so much love in the room.’

The iconic actor continued to work right up until his death, and most recently appeared in a 2023 episode of NCIS: Sydney, alongside Olivia Swann and Todd Lasance. 

Marinos was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1994 for his long-standing services to the preforming arts industry.

The NSW-born thespian had a fifty year career across Australia's entertainment sector as an actor, writer and TV director

The NSW-born thespian had a fifty year career across Australia’s entertainment sector as an actor, writer and TV director 

He also held positions with in many cultural organisations including Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Community Broadcasting Foundation. 

In recognition of his incredible career, Wagga Wagga’s Museum of the Riverina will hold an exhibition on his later this year, called The Lex Factor: From Wagga to the World Stage.

Lex is survived by his wife Anne and several children. 

Lex's death was announced on social media by his family, in a heartbreaking post which revealed the details of his passing

Lex’s death was announced on social media by his family, in a heartbreaking post which revealed the details of his passing

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