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John Cornell, the Australian director and writer whose longtime friendship and comedy partnership with actor Paul Hogan led to the pair’s word on Crocodile Dundee and other film and TV projects, died today at his home in Byron Bay, New South Wales following a two-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 80.

His death was announced by his family, including wife Delvene Delaney, an Australian TV personality.

“After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001, John concentrated his efforts on philanthropy, supporting his community and worthy environmental, sporting and medical causes,” the statement said. “A classic Australian character, John Cornell made the lives he touched much richer, not only through donations, but also through his generosity of spirit, humour, humility and honour.

“A true egalitarian, John sought equity and equality, and fought for a fair go.”

Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, the former journalist was working as the original...

John Cornell, the Australian filmmaker and comedian best known for his work with Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan, has sadly passed away. Cornell, who played the fan favorite role of Strop on The Paul Hogan Show, reportedly died on July 23 at his home in Byron Bay with his wife and family by his side. This follows a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease which he was first diagnosed with in 2001. He was 80 years old.

"A classic Australian character, John Cornell made the lives he touched much richer, not only through donations, but also through his generosity of spirit, humour, humility and honour," a statement from the family reads.

"After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2001, John concentrated his efforts on philanthropy, supporting his community and worthy environmental, sporting and medical causes," the statement added. "A classic Australian character, John Cornell made the lives he touched much richer, not only through donations, but...

Comedian and producer John Cornell has died aged 80 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Cornell is best known for his role as Strop in The Paul Hogan Show, having begun his association with Hogan while working as a producer on A Current Affair.

According to a statement from his family, he died peacefully at his home in Byron Bay on Nsw North Coast with his wife and eldest daughter by his side, and his youngest daughter on the phone from the UK.

Born in Kalgoorlie, Cornell began his career in print journalism at Perth’s Daily News before turning his attention to television and becoming the original producer for A Current Affair.

It was while working on the show that he teamed up with a then unknown Paul Hogan, forming a partnership that would be responsible for not only The Paul Hogan Show, but the internationally successful Crocodile Dundee films.

Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan is getting candid about his two marriages.

The actor, 79, spoke about his life on a recent episode of ABC TV’s Australian Story where he admitted, “I’m not a great husband. I’m good early.”

Over the course of the interview, Hogan recalled how he met his first wife Noelene Edwards while working as a lifeguard at a swimming pool.

The two married in 1958 and separated in 1981, but reconciled in 1982 when they remarried. They stayed together until 1990.

“I was a massive flirt, I liked her and she liked me and we got married,” Hogan said.

(L-r): Nadine Garner, Sophie Wright, Nick Russell, Stephen Curry and Paul Denny in ‘Mr Black’.

Cjz MD Nick Murray and CEO Matt Campbell are grappling with three major issues facing the screen industry as the company ramps up its production and development slates.

They identify the challenges as the rising cost of drama budgets; a shortage of top-class writers given the talent drain to the Us and UK; and finding original concepts for factual and factual entertainment shows.

Murray questions why drama is more expensive to produce than comedy, observing: “I don’t know that the additional money that goes into drama is necessarily visible on screen to the audience.

“The costs of drama are going up and we need to be making it cheaper. There are work practices which make it impossible to make drama at the price it should be made at. We should be employing people differently or with more flexibility,...

Mel Gibson on the set of Hacksaw Ridge.. . Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge cleaned up at the 6th Aacta Awards ceremony last night, taking home five awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. . Gibson was honoured for Best Direction, while Andrew Garfield won Best Lead Actor and Hugo Weaving nabbed Best Supporting Actor. . .I need to thank Australia for making this film,. said Gibson in his acceptance speech. . He praised the "homegrown" film.s cast and crew, .the calibre of which is as good or better than anywhere in the world.. . .I.m not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing,. Gibson said. .I.m honoured to receive this.. . . The five awards add to the four Hacksaw Ridge already picked up earlier this week at the Aacta Industry Luncheon. The film was nominated in 13 categories overall. . Odessa Young...

Mel Gibson on the set of Hacksaw Ridge.. . Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge cleaned up at the 6th Aacta Awards ceremony last night, taking home five awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay. . Gibson was honoured for Best Direction, while Andrew Garfield won Best Lead Actor and Hugo Weaving nabbed Best Supporting Actor. . .I need to thank Australia for making this film,. said Gibson in his acceptance speech. . He praised the "homegrown" film.s cast and crew, .the calibre of which is as good or better than anywhere in the world.. . .I.m not the only one who wants to make films here all the time, Ridley Scott said the same thing,. Gibson said. .I.m honoured to receive this.. . . The five awards add to the four Hacksaw Ridge already picked up earlier this week at the Aacta Industry Luncheon. The film was nominated in 13 categories overall. . Odessa Young...

John Cornell and Paul Hogan on The Paul Hogan Show.

Paul Hogan will receive this year.s Aacta Longford Lyell Award, the Australian Academy.s highest honour.

First presented to Ian Dunlop in 1968, the Longford Lyell Award honours Australian film pioneer Raymond Longford and his partner in filmmaking and life, Lottie Lyell..

It recognises a person who has made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia.s screen environment and culture. Previous recipients include Peter Weir, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton and most recently, Cate Blanchett.

Hogan will be bestowed with the award at the 6th Aacta Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, in a presentation that will honour his 45 year career. It will feature tributes from Shane Jacobson, Michael Caton, former Tourism Minister John Brown, Peter Faiman, Dave Hughes, Adam Hills, Ernie Dingo and The Paul Hogan Show co-star Delvene Delaney..

.I.m honoured to...

John Cornell and Paul Hogan on The Paul Hogan Show.

Josh Lawson will play Paul Hogan in Hoges, Fremantle Media's mini for Channel Seven.

Joining Lawson are Justine Clarke as Hogan's partner Noelene and Ryan Corr as John Cornell, his best friend and manager.

Also starring are Laura Gordon (Ms Fisher.s Murder Mysteries) as Linda Kozlowski, Nikki Osborn (Granny Smith) as Delvene Delaney, Sean Keenan (Puberty Blues, Glitch) as Young Paul and Marny Kennedy (The Saddle Club) as Young Noelene.

.Paul Hogan has always been one of my heroes", Lawson said in a statement, "so this role is as exciting as it is challenging.".

"He.s such an iconic figure. Everyone loves Hoges and one of his great gifts was making audiences feel like we really knew him. But there.s so much of his life that many people don.t know about and I.m thrilled that...