Dieter Brummer may have earned two Logie Awards and a legion of fans for playing Shane Parrish on Home and Away in the 1990s.
But the late actor was remarkably humble in a 2018 TV interview that resurfaced following his tragic death on Saturday at the age of 45.
The footage, which was replayed on Sunrise on Tuesday, showed Brummer responding to questions about his rise to fame.
Humble: A resurfaced interview shows late Home and Away star Dieter Brummer revealing why fame never went to his head despite being named ‘Australia’s favourite actor’ in the ’90s
‘[You were the] most popular actor at the time,’ the interviewer began.
‘Most popular, yeah,’ Brummer shrugged.
The journalist continued: ‘You were on the Sexiest Man Alive lists, and things like that. Doesn’t it go to your head?’
‘You start walking around… kissing myself’: The two-time Logie winner was extraordinarily humble as he discussed his career during the 2018 interview with Channel Seven
‘No, I mean… You know, you start walking around… kissing myself,’ Brummer laughed while jokingly kissing his own biceps.
The interview with Channel Seven was one of Brummer’s last, as he had retired from acting to focus on his window-cleaning business by 2018.
The two-time Logie winner was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia.
Brummer’s death is not being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be a suicide.
RIP: Brummer was found dead at a home in Glenhaven, Sydney, on Saturday afternoon, NSW Police confirmed. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Pictured here in 1995
‘About 1.30pm (Saturday 24 July 2021), officers from The Hills Police Area Command responded to reports of a concern for welfare at a home on Glenhaven Road, Glenhaven,’ a police spokesperson said.
‘The body of a man was located inside the home. His death is not believed to be suspicious. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.’
Brummer starred on Home and Away from 1992 to 1996, and later had roles in hospital drama Medivac and crime series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities.
Feud: Brummer was involved in a Home and Away storyline with co-star Melissa George (right), who played his on-screen wife Angel Brooks. He said in 2012 they hated each other off screen
His other credits included Winners & Losers, Neighbours, Underbelly: The Golden Mile and short-lived soap Crash Palace.
Following the news of his passing, Brummer’s family released a statement saying their world would ‘never be the same’.
‘On behalf of my family, We post this today with a heavy heart,’ the Facebook post began. ‘We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning.
Career: Brummer, who also worked as a window cleaner, starred on Home and Away from 1992 to 1996 and later had roles in hospital drama Medivac and crime series Underbelly
‘He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same. Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.
‘We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time. Should you, or anyone you know be affected by this, or indeed are feeling pain at this time, there are good people that you can talk to.’
According to a report by The Daily Telegraph in November, Brummer started up a window cleaning business after turning his back on acting.
Résumé: Brummer’s other acting credits included Winners & Losers, Neighbours, Underbelly: The Golden Mile and short-lived soap Crash Palace. Pictured here in 2010
‘People say that I’m just a window cleaner, in reality it’s substantially more involved than that. Working at heights it’s a relatively specialist trade,’ he told TV Tonight in April 2010.
Brummer said he was able to employ his rock climbing skills in his new profession, and was appreciative of the ‘life experience’ it had given him.
‘I just wanted to get a bit of real life experience under my belt, but I’d always intended on coming back to the acting game at some point,’ he added.
Soap career: Brummer’s character was written off Home and Away when Shane died from septicaemia (blood poisoning) in 1996. Pictured with co-star Melissa George
Brummer, who joined Home and Away aged 15, was most famous for his storyline with co-star Melissa George, who played his on-screen wife Angel Brooks.
While their characters looked like the perfect couple on the show, their relationship behind the scenes was strained.
Brummer said in 2018. ‘It wasn’t like anything off screen. It was all on screen.’
Secret romance: While little is known about Brummer’s private life, on Monday fellow Home and Away cast member Kristy Wright, 43, revealed the pair were in a secret relationship ‘for years’ from when she was 17
Brummer previously said in 2012 he hated working with George, 44, and even asked producers to kill off his character so he could escape her diva demands.
He told Woman’s Day: ‘We may have been love interests on the show but the chemistry was far from real!
‘Mel was incredibly ambitious right from the outset. I think she wanted to be the next Kylie Minogue.
Award-winner: Brummer appeared in a total of 557 episodes of Home and Away, winning Most Popular Actor at the Logie Awards in 1995 and 1996. Pictured with Home And Away co-star Melissa George
‘She was a big fan and she aspired to be a big star just like Kylie. I don’t think she had much time for the cast of Home and Away.’
The actress also made no secret of the fact she resented her involvement in the classic soap.
In 2012, she famously denounced her legacy as a Home and Away alumnus in an interview that has haunted her ever since.
‘I don’t need credibility from my country anymore’: In 2012, George famously denounced her legacy as a Home and Away alumnus in an interview that has haunted her ever since
‘I don’t need credibility from my country anymore. I just need them all to be quiet,’ she snapped.
‘If they have nothing intelligent to say, please don’t speak to me anymore. I’d rather be having a croissant and an espresso in Paris or walking my French bulldog in New York City’.
Brummer hit back at his former co-star, dubbing her comments ‘unnecessary and a bit ridiculous’, adding, ‘But then that’s Mel.’
After leaving Home and Away, George went on to find Hollywood success in films like The Amityville Horror and TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Wife.
Secret love: On Monday, Home and Away star Kristy Wright revealed she had a secret romance with Brummer ‘for years’ from when she was 17 years old. Both pictured
While little is known about Brummer’s private life, on Monday fellow Home and Away cast member Kristy Wright, 43, revealed the pair were in a secret relationship ‘for years’ from when she was 17.
Alongside images of the former couple, Kristy – who played Chloe Richards in the soap from 1995 to 1999 – wrote: ‘I fell in love with him very quickly, and fortunately for me he felt the same way.
‘We were each others safety blankets and we were best friends. Even after we broke up years later, our friendship never died.’
Icon: Brummer appeared in a total of 557 episodes of Home and Away, winning Most Popular Actor at the Logie Awards in 1995 and 1996
The pair had started dating when he was 19, after he finished his four-year stint as Shane Parrish on the soap.
‘He had just finished Home and Away and I had just started and I’m not sure how we did, it but we managed to keep our relationship out of the eyes of the media. Our young love was able to blossom in private,’ she said.
She continued: ‘I’m so grateful that we stayed friends and for over 25 years he has been a constant in my life and someone that I could call at any hour.
‘We were that for each other. The world has lost a gift this weekend. A luminous, unique, complex man. A man who deserved more.’
Brummer appeared in a total of 557 episodes of Home and Away, winning Most Popular Actor at the Logie Awards in 1995 and 1996.
Hidden romance: The pair had started dating when he was 19, after he finished his four-year stint as Shane Parrish on the soap
His character was eventually written off the soap when Shane died from septicaemia (blood poisoning) in 1996 after stepping on a rusty nail.
In a statement released on Monday, a spokesperson for Channel Seven said: ‘Home and Away and Channel Seven are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing.
‘Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish.
‘We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.’
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
Statement: ‘Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish,’ Channel Seven said upon hearing the news