Lillian Crombie, a renowned Australian actress, has passed away at the age of 66.
Crombie was best known for her performance in Baz Luhrmann’s epic film Australia, where she starred alongside Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. She also appeared in the TV series The Secret Life of Us. Her daughter, Elaine Crombie, who is also an actress, announced her mother’s death on Facebook.
Elaine invited Crombie’s fans and loved ones to share their thoughts and stories before recounting her mother’s incredible life.
Crombie grew up in Port Pirie, South Australia, where she trained in classical ballet. At 16, she moved to Sydney on a dance scholarship. After training in New York and at Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art, she became one of the country’s leading stage and screen performers.
Crombie was a survivor of the Stolen Generation, who were the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were removed from their families by the Australian federal and state government agencies and church missions under acts of their respective parliaments.
Crombie’s other credits include Mystery Road, Lucky Miles, Double Trouble, and Ring of Scorpio. She also performed in multiple productions with Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of SA, and at the Adelaide Festival. Crombie’s performance in Australia was a scene-stealer, and her other credits include The Secret Life of Us.
Elaine said that her mother lived a very whole, exciting life, and in these last few years, being home with her grandsons and her mum was the life for her. Her priority was loving her grandsons, mum, and fur grandson Bear. Family was always her priority.
Crombie’s legacy will live on, and she will always be remembered for her incredible contributions to film and theatre.
