Richard Norton, ‘Mad Max’ Series Actor and Hollywood Stunt Coordinator, Dies at 75

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Richard Norton, an Australian martial artist, screen actor, and stunt coordinator known for training stars like Charlize Theron and Liam Neeson in film action scenes, passed away in Melbourne at the age of 75. His wife, Judy Green, shared the sad news on Instagram, but no cause of death has been disclosed yet.

Green expressed a feeling of profound sorrow and speechlessness, writing, ‘I’ve lost everything.’ As the news of this extraordinary individual’s passing spreads, there will undoubtedly be an outpouring of love and disbelief. My beloved partner. I’m taking this time to cope with my immense grief.

Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work as a fight choreographer on some truly electrifying blockbusters such as “Suicide Squad,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Blacklight,” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.” Additionally, I had the opportunity to contribute to the coordination of stunts in both “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” In these movies, I also stepped into the shoes of the Prime Imperator, a significant henchman for the villainous Immortan Joe.

James Gunn, the director, praised Richard Norton in a tribute post on Sunday, stating that he was an incredibly gifted stunt performer, coordinator, and actor who was also a cherished friend. As the fight choreographer for ‘The Suicide Squad’, Richard handled scenes like Harley’s escape, Peacemaker versus Rick Flag Jr., among others. He was a rugged yet kind-hearted Australian gentleman with a contagious laugh and countless tales from his movie-making years.

Apart from his notable work, Norton is recognized for performing daring stunts in the 1980 movie “The Octagon.” He portrayed Slade in “Equalizer 2000” and choreographed fight sequences for “Under the Gun.” Additionally, he served as a stunt coordinator for both “Dream Warrior” and “The New Adventures of Robin Hood.

As a cinephile, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some incredible talents in Tinseltown, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Jackie Chan, Sophie Turner, and Scarlett Johansson. I’ve even had the privilege of mentoring musical maestros like Stevie Nicks and Agnetha Fältskog from ABBA. My first foray into filmmaking was with the iconic “ABBA: The Movie.” Additionally, I’m proud to be associated with the development of a unique martial arts style known as “Zen Do Kai.

Robert Patrick, known for his roles in “1923” and “Equalizer 2000”, recently posted a video featuring Norton on Instagram. In the caption, he paid tribute by saying, “He was an exceptional person, a prominent figure in the martial arts world, and a peer of Chuck Norris.

Beyond just excelling as a renowned bodyguard for famous musicians, he also proved his talent as a skilled fight choreographer in popular movies, Patrick added. Furthermore, he was an exceptional individual, and I consider myself lucky to have worked alongside him on ‘Equalizer 2000.’

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Aside from being an elite bodyguard for rock stars, he demonstrated his abilities as a proficient fight choreographer in blockbuster films. But what truly set him apart was his kind-hearted nature, and I feel privileged to have collaborated with him on ‘Equalizer 2000.’

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Not only did he establish himself as an in-demand bodyguard for music legends, but he also showcased his expertise as a fight coordinator in hit films. Above all else, though, he was a fantastic person, and I feel honored to have acted with him in ‘Equalizer 2000.’

Norton is survived by his wife, Judy.

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2025-03-30 22:16