Neighbours and Prisoner star Alan Hopgood dies age 87

Neighbours and Prisoner star Alan Hopgood has passed away at age 87, after losing his battle with prostate cancer on Saturday, March 19 at a Melbourne hospital.

Hopgood is famously know for his roles as Jack Lister in Neighbours, Dr Reed in Bellbird, and for his long-running character as Wally Wallace in the jailhouse drama series, Prisoner (1979-1986).

Throughout his career, Hopgood wrote and performed in a number of plays and screenplays including Alvin Purple, And the Big Men Fly, The Cheerful Cuckold, and The Carer, a play about Alzheimer’s disease which which won him an AWGIE Award.

His movie credits include his performances in My Brilliant Career (1979), The Blue Lagoon (1980), Evil Angels (1988) and The Man from Snowy River II (1988).

Professor Catherine Crock, Chair and founder of company healthcare advocacy organisation Gathering Of Kindness, took to social media to pay tribute to the late television icon for his outstanding contribution to the company.

A message from our Chair and Founder, Professor Catherine Crock AM.

“Our hearts are heavy today at news of the loss of a dear friend of ours. Vale Alan Hopgood AM. /1 pic.twitter.com/cORw5KlPY6

— Hush Foundation (@HushFoundation_) March 19, 2022

“Our hearts are heavy today at the news of the loss of a dear friend of ours. Vale Alan Hopgood,” Crook wrote.

“His extraordinary contribution through the three plays he wrote and performed with us to over 200 healthcare audiences has been transformative.

“Our thoughts are with Gay (Hopgood’s wife) and the family in this time, knowing this remarkable and gifted man is very much loved, and knowing his collection of creative works, his legacy, live on.

“We’ll miss you very much Hoppy.”

A fan replied to Crook’s post, expressing their “privilege” in witnessing Hopgood perform and the impact he left on his audiences.

So very sad to hear of the passing of @AlanHopgood – I was privileged to see him perform @PeterMacCC and elsewhere. His plays with @HushFoundation_ changed perceptions and aided understanding. A great loss

— meg rynderman OAM (@megrynderman) March 19, 2022

Hopgood is survived by his wife Gay, son Sam and daughter Finci and four grandsons.