Iconic Australian actor, comedian and Logie winner Brian Wenzel has died aged 94.
Best known for bringing to life Frank Gilroy on the Channel 7 show A Country Practice, the actor’s death was confirmed on Monday by veteran showbiz reporter Craig Bennett.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Brian Wenzel in A Country Practice.
Stream the world’s best reality, entertainment and true-crime shows free on 7plus
“His wife Linda confirmed he’s passed away in nursing care where he’s been for about 15 months or so,” Bennett told 7NEWS.com.au.
“She called me because I’ve done lots of stories with him.”
Fans of the actor took to Facebook on Monday to share tributes.
“RIP Brian Wenzel. Thank you for making Frank Gilroy one of the best characters on Australian Television,” one wrote on a fan page dedicated to the actor.
Born in South Australia in 1929, Wenzel went on to be a part of the entertainment industry for more than 60 years, covering the circus, stage, TV and film.
His professional career began at the age of 17 in a comedy stage play.
He made his small screen debut in the late 1960s featuring in dramas including Division 4, Matlock Police, Homicide, The Young Doctors, Certain Women and Cop Shop.
He was best known for his permanent role as Sgt Frank Gilroy on A Country Practice which he played throughout the entire series, between 1981 and 1993.
Wenzel won the role of the policeman off the back of his performance in Certain Women.
In 1981 he won the Silver Logie Award for Best Actor for his role as Sgt Frank Gilroy.
The veteran actor’s film credits include The Off Angry Shot (1979) and Alison’s Birthday (1981).
In 2014, he returned to film, featuring in the crime movie John Doe: Vigilante.
Other credits include Neighbours and a stint on Rove Live in 2009.
He farewelled his A Country Practice co-star Lorrae Desmond in 2021, who died after a short health battle
In 2021, Wenzel opened up about his recent health problems, suffering two mini strokes in 2018 that robbed him of his ability to walk unaided.
“I got old all of a sudden. I can’t work anymore, which I find really frustrating. I have to use a walking frame to get around, so I sold the car,” he told New Idea in 2021.
“It’s terrible to not be able to walk and I can’t sing anymore, which is terrible. I’m hoping against all hope that I can get it all back again.”
He married wife Linda in 1957.
All episodes of A Country Practice are available to stream for free on 7plus.