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Acting community mourns Priestley's death

Posted August 29, 2008 08:44:00
Updated August 29, 2008 09:34:00

'Sad loss': Acting community mourns the death of Mark Priestley.

'Sad loss': Acting community mourns the death of Mark Priestley. (Supplied)

The Australian acting community is mourning the death of All Saints star Mark Priestley.

The 32-year-old's body was found in Sydney's CBD late on Wednesday. Police say there were no suspicious circumstances.

Perth-born Priestley graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1999 and went on to star in ABC TV miniseries Changi, as well as The Secret Life Of Us and Blue Heelers.

In 2004, he landed the role of nurse Dan Goldman on Channel Seven's drama series All Saints.

Last week the show's ratings surged when Priestley's character finally married his onscreen sweetheart.

But while he enjoyed popular and critical success, Priestley was battling depression.

"[He was] emotionally fragile, we all knew that," Bell Shakespeare founder John Bell said.

"He was surrounded by friends who were also aware of that and were vigilant and supportive, but you can't be around all the time unfortunately."

The cast and crew of All Saints couldn't face work yesterday and rehearsals were cancelled.

A Channel Seven statement described Priestley as "a tremendous young person - loved and respected by his fellow All Saints cast members and crew."

Seven's director of programming and production Tim Worner said Priestley was a brilliant artist.

"His work on stage and screen was admired by everybody who knew him," he said.

"His death is such a sad loss. We at Channel Seven will miss his energy and smile.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family and friends."

Priestley's family have issued a brief statement saying his body will be taken back to Perth for a funeral on September 4.

Tags: arts-and-entertainment, television, death, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, wa, perth-6000

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