SeaChange actor Tom Long, 51, dies after long cancer battle

Australian actor Tom Long, who was best know for playing Angus in the popular series SeaChange, has reportedly died at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer.

Movie site The Curb tweeted early Sunday that “the great Tom Long has left us”.

“One of the finest actors Australia has ever been lucky to see,” the movie site wrote. “My heart goes out to his family.”

https://twitter.com/TheCurbAU/status/1213454251789209600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fculture%2Ftv-and-radio%2Faustralian-actor-tom-long-dies-report-20200105-p53ow3.html

The star – who has appeared in some of Australia’s favourite shows and movies including The Dish, The Postcard Bandit and SeaChange – was originally diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2012 and in March last year flew to the United States with his family to take part in a medical trial for the disease. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that severally impact the immune system.

Speaking on Channel 10’s The Project back in June, Long explained that the treatment pushed him to his limits, where he was challenged physically, mentally and experienced side effects including sweating, vomiting and fevers. He was in and out of hospital with infections and wasn’t even sure if the treatment was impacting the level of cancer in his bones.

Heartbroken fans took to social media to express their condolences.

“RIP Tom Long,” one commentator wrote. “Such a beautiful human being and wonderful actor.”

Another added: “Sad to read #TomLong has died. His understated performances in #SeaChange and #TwoHands are part of fabric of Australian entertainment. Like the late, great Heath Ledger, Long was taken from us too soon and before he could share more of his talent.”

While a third wrote: “Such tragic news at such a terrible time for the country. We all fell in love with him on SeaChange. In Australia’s hearts forever. RIP”