Australian film critic and former SBS presenter, David Stratton, has died at the age of 85, his family has announced.
His family announced his death on Thursday, saying he died peacefully in a hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains.
‘David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said in a statement to ABC.
‘He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend.
‘David’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime.’
The film critic was best known for his work writing film reviews for The Weekend Australian for 33 years, and for presenting film review shows on television with Margaret Pomeranz for 28 years.
The star was born in Melksham, England, in 1939 and moved to Australia in 1963 under the “ten pound” migration scheme.
He soon moved into the film industry and by 1966, was directing the Sydney Film Festival, which he did until 1983.
Celebrities have been paying tribute to the late star on social media after learning about his death.
‘Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said on X: ‘With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country.
‘All of us who tuned in to ‘At the Movies’ respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on. May he rest in peace.’
Actress Rachel Griffiths told the ABC that Stratton was a ‘giant in his field — the biggest champion of Australian stories’.
‘He was gentle in manner and had a curiosity that I’ve found rare in my career,’ she said. ‘Most notably, he was humble — never putting himself as the overlord of the creative — but as a servant to creativity itself.
‘He had an ear for truth and a love for the human, and knew almost instantly when a new talent had announced itself.’
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