Francis Mossman dies aged 33: Tributes flow for Shortland Street star

Sydney-based New Zealand actor Francis Mossman, known for his roles in Shortland Street and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 33.

His death was announced by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel, on Saturday.

His cause of death is unknown, but a social media post shared by a family member last week alluded to him ‘enduring so much pain’.

Gone too soon: Sydney-based New Zealand actor Francis Mossman, known for his roles in Shortland Street and Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at the age of 33

Stonewall posted a photo of the actor to its Facebook page, and wrote: ‘RIP Frankie Mossman. We miss you and know your smile will light up the sky.’ 

Francis, known to friends as Frankie, had hosted the popular Malebox events at the venue for several years, and appeared on promotional posters for the hotel.  

Queer Screen wrote on Facebook: ‘Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman. 

Loss: His death was announced by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel, on Saturday

Loss: Queer Screen wrote on Facebook: ‘Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman. Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions’

‘Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions including the Sydney-made gay web series The Horizon.

‘Frankie was a great friend of Queer Screen, starring in our MGFF16 trailer and was always an enthusiastic audience member at our festivals. Our sincere condolences to all his friends and family. May he rest in peace.’

A post was shared to Francis’ Instagram account on Friday, presumably by a friend or family member, acknowledging his death. 

Tragic: A post was shared to Francis’ Instagram account on Friday, presumably by a friend or family member, acknowledging his death. Alongside a photo of Francis as a child, the caption read: ‘Who knew this boy would endure so much pain’

Tributes flow: Several high-profile figures offered their condolences, including drag star Courtney Act and television personality Peter Oxford

Alongside a photo of Francis as a child, the caption read: ‘Who knew this boy would endure so much pain.’

Several high-profile figures offered their condolences, including drag star Courtney Act, who wrote: ‘Oh gosh. Sweet Frankie. I’m so sorry to hear this news.’ 

Television personality Peter Oxford added: ‘I am so sorry to hear you have left us. I was only talking to you this week about going back to NZ.’   

Well-known: He counted a number of celebrities among his friends, including the likes of Guy Sebastian (left) and Adam Lambert

Pals: He was also friendly with American singer Adam Lambert (left)

Footy fan: Frankie recently shared a selfie with NRL footballer Tom Burgess (left) 

‘Francis was beautiful person and will always be remembered as a part of the Stonewall family,’ Glenn Hansen, Stonewall Hotel’s Commercial and Marketing Manager, told Star Observer.

‘He was well liked by everyone and his smile could light up a room. We will all miss Francis and we would urge everyone to reach out to each other in these tough circumstances.’

Francis was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2006. 

Career: Francis, known to friends as Frankie, was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2006. He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand

He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Frankie also had a recurring role in The Horizon from 2013 to 2017, and in Americans in Oz in 2018.

His most recent performance was in a short film called Dis-Connect. 

Well known: Frankie also had a recurring role in The Horizon from 2013 to 2017, and in Americans in Oz in 2018. Pictured with former Home and Away star Kyle Pryor

Pals: Pictured with Big Brother star Gretel Killeen (far left) and singer Brock Jays (far right) 

He counted a number of celebrities among his friends, including the likes of Guy Sebastian and Adam Lambert.

Francis’ Instagram account is filled with selfies alongside stars such as Tom Burgess, Gretel Killeen, Brock Jays and Kyle Pryor.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Starring: Frankie, who was known to be a big dog lover, had his most recent performance in the short film, Dis-Connect

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