The South Australian entertainer and disability advocate Quentin Kenihan has died.
The wheelchair-bound author, filmmaker and movie actor had the bone disease osteogenesis imperfecta and became a household name in the 1980s after a TV documentary with journalist Mike Willesee, which detailed his brittle bone disease. He also had a television series on Channel 10, acted in the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road and performed at the Adelaide fringe estival.
He recently put his hand up to become an area councillor for Adelaide city council at the November election.
The actor Russell Crowe said he was devastated by the loss of his “little mate”.
“The bravest bloke I ever met ... not confined anymore,” he tweeted.
Devastating news. My little mate , the bravest bloke I ever met... gone . We will meet again ... @qkenihan . Not confined any more ...
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 7, 2018
Between your interviews, your book, your one man show, your zany little movies ...what a creative and productive life.
Lots of love.
Former support worker and friend Ian Kissock told the ABC that Kenihan was unable to be revived on Saturday after he initially had trouble breathing.
“I saw him yesterday afternoon – he was fine,” Kissock said. “Then I get a phone call to say can I come and put his mask on. When I got here, there were two ambos here and they couldn’t revive him.
“Quentin was unique. He had a fantastic sense of humour. He had a brilliant mind.
“He’s done everything – he was on TV, he was on the stage, he’s been in major films … For a guy that had a major disability, he’s been phenomenal in that he’s been able to do all these things.”
Friend Filip Odzak said Kenihan’s life was dedicated to advocating for those with disabilities and said his legacy was “long-lasting and impactful”.
“He travelled the world and achieved things that no abled-body person could,” he said. “He had a sharp wit and a devilish sense of humour. We laughed about everything, it was constantly uplifting.”
R.I.P beautiful man ✊🏾😞dearly loved 💫💔 #quentinkenihan https://t.co/17QaBNI8Uv
— Nova Peris OAM OLY (@NovaPeris) October 7, 2018
Farewell Quentin Kenihan, 43.
— Rhett Bartlett (@dialmformovies) October 7, 2018
Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, he became a key advocate for people with disabilities.
On screen he was memorable as Corpus Colossus in MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. pic.twitter.com/qq877Nd1By
This was supposed to be a surprise I was going to give to him when we caught up next month, but since he won't see it here's Quentin Kenihan's dedication from my next book pic.twitter.com/qYcsm0r8is
— Maria Lewis (@moviemazz) October 7, 2018
The Australian Federation Disability Organisation said Kenihan would always be remembered for “his tireless advocacy for people with disabilities”.
Writer Eddie White said he was shattered to hear of his mate’s death.
“You did things your way right until the end buddy and your tenaciousness and warmth will never be forgotten. Rest easy Super Q,” he wrote.
Journalist Lousie Pascale spoke of “a great colleague and friend”.
“We are so lucky to have been left with such a legacy of work and passion,” she tweeted. “Don’t worry Q, I’ll keep fighting the good fight and I know you’ll be there with me.”
ABC content director Tim Verrall said Kenihan always made him smile when they caught up, and he had led an extraordinary life.