He once again led the tributes for his crusading sister in an emotionally charged public memorial on Saturday.
And on Sunday, Samuel Johnson admitted going public with his sister Connie’s cancer battle has been both a blessing, and a curse.
The Gold Logie winner said that Connie’s choice to lay her fight bare in the public eye initially met resistance within the family, before it was finally accepted.
‘So too has it been a curse’: Samuel Johnson says sharing his sister Connie’s story has been both a blessing and a curse after she lost her cancer battle two weeks ago
‘Going public was not popular’: The Gold Logie winner said on Sunday that Connie’s choice to lay her fight bare in the public eye initially met resistance within the family
‘As much as [sharing Connie’s story] has been a blessing for the family, so too has it been a curse,’ he told Mamamia.
‘Going public was not popular – most of all with me.’
But the actor said it eventually became clear that it was ‘well worth’ providing the family’s example to other families going through a similar experience.
‘Bit by bit, every family member started to realise this was bigger than us,’ he said.
‘Came at a cost’: Samuel also revealed the guilt his adored sister felt in her final years, as she spent time away from her family
Samuel also revealed the guilt his adored sister felt in her final years, as she spent time away from her husband Mike Johnson and two children Willoughby, 11, and Hamilton, ten, while campaigning.
He said her tireless work came at a cost, as her children have spent the majority of their lives ‘in a trauma state’, Mamamia reported.
Samuel emotionally opened up about his sister during a celebration of her life on Saturday.
Emotionally charged: Samuel opened up about his sister during a celebration of her life on Saturday
Touching tribute: Samuel didn’t speak at the memorial, but instead a video remembering his and Connie’s life together was played in front of about 500 at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne
The actor who ran the Love Your Sister charity alongside Connie didn’t speak at the memorial, but instead a video remembering their life together was played in front of about 500 at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
‘Connie Cottonsocks, it’s been a stunning ride in life and now in death and it has indeed been my pleasure to be your Sammy Sam,’ Sam said in a voiceover during the video.
‘I remain not just your little brother but, as always very truly yours.’
Paying respects: Connie’s memorial was held in front of 500 people at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne’s city centre