David Gulpilil at a waterhole near his home in Arnhem Land (left). David with his Best Actor award at the 2002 AFI Awards. Photo / Supplied
WARNING: This story contains images of an indigenous Australian who has died.
Legendary Australian actor David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu died on Monday night.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced the news after the screen legend, who walked the world stage and made dozens of films and TV shows over five decades, succumbed to stage four lung cancer and emphysema.
Permission has been granted for his name and image to be used after his death, in accordance with his wishes.
"It is with deep sadness that I share with the people of South Australia the passing of an iconic, once-in-a-generation artist who shaped the history of Australian film and Aboriginal representation on screen – David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu (AM)," Premier Marshall said.
"David Gulpilil was from the Mandhalpingu clan of the Yolŋu people, and was raised in the traditional ways in Arnhem Land. In his later years he was a resident of Murray Bridge. He was a brother, son, friend, father, grandfather and husband.
"An actor, dancer, singer and painter, he was also one of the greatest artists Australia has ever seen."
The Hollywood Reporter described Gulpilil as "the beloved indigenous Australian actor who introduced the world to his culture in Nicolas Roeg's Walkabout and went on to make his mark in the blockbuster Crocodile Dundee".
"No one has ever looked as mesmerising in a close-up on a cinema screen," author Rhett Bartlett wrote.
Deadline described Gulpilil as "revered" and the UK's Express said the star was "iconic". Rolling Stone Brazil said Gulpilil is "considered one of Australia's greatest artists".
Gulpilil, who shot to international fame as a child star with his mesmerising first film Walkabout in 1971, has strode the red carpet with the likes of Clint Eastwood, Bruce Lee and Marlon Brando.
"His breakout role was the first time that many in Australia and internationally had seen an Aboriginal character portrayed on screen," Marshall said.
"His haunting, moving performance was equal parts devastating as it was electric."
He has partied with Dennis Hopper and Muhammad Ali and dined with the Queen, for whom he also performed one of the ceremonial dances of his Yolgnu culture that first made him a star.
He has made "a lot of films", including Storm Boy, Australia, the Crocodile Dundee films, The Last Wave, The Tracker, Rabbit Proof Fence, Charlie's Country and The Proposition.
The Hollywood Reporter described his performance in Mad Dog Morgan as "emotional and humanistic".
In May, he told the landmark documentary about his life My Name is Gulpilil, he had stage four lung cancer and emphysema and "we have to prepare for my funeral".
"I've stopped chemo, not working. I have been smoking all my life … cigarettes, ganja, too much tobacco I've been smoking," he said.
"I'm crying inside for my father, I will return to my country, I will lay down in his soil.
"My spirit will return back to my country.
"I was born a Mandjalpingu man. Gulpilil, my name means kingfisher, that's my totem.
"My name is in the fish, in the tree, in the sky, in the stars.
"I'm not scared, but I'm sorry there's nothing I can [do to] make myself stronger."
Gulpilil was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the arts in the 1987 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
"David Gulpilil's life was not without its struggles — he encountered racism and discrimination, and lived with the pressures of the divide between his traditional lifestyle and his public profile," Marshall said.
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