Iconic Blue Heelers star dead at 92 following a short illness READ MORE: Renowned Australian opera singer Steve Davislim dies aged 57 By Jimmy Briggs For Daily Mail Australia Published: 00:22, 14 August 2024 | Updated: 00:29, 14 August 2024 e-mail 19 shares View comments Beloved Australian actor Peter Aanensen died earlier this year at age 92 after battling a chest infection. The veteran performer died on May 3, with his family only releasing news of his passing this week. The silver-haired character actor appeared on many renowned Australian TV shows and movies throughout 50-year career, including playing Merv Poole on Blue Heelers.
He also appeared in the 2002 smash hit comedy Crackerjack opposite Mick Molloy and the 1999 movie The Craic with Irish comedian Jimeoin. The charismatic actor was born in Melbourne in 1932 and began his career as a stage actor in the late 50s. Aanensen guest starred in a wealth of iconic Australian shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including Sons and Daughters, Cop Shop and The Flying Doctors.
To international audiences, Peter was most recognisable for appearing alongside Hollywood legends Sam Neill and Meryl Streep in the 1988 Oscar-nominated movie Evil Angels, which dramatised the Lindy Chamberlain trial. His family paid tribute to him in a heartfelt statement: 'He was a lovely, kind, down to earth man with a wicked sense of humour. He loved musical theatre – we used to sing along with family and friends to the record player.
Beloved Aust.