Actor Gus Mercurio dies aged 82

One of Australian television and film's great characters, Gus Mercurio, has died in a Melbourne hospital after complications during surgery.
He was 82.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mercurio was also a professional boxer and qualified referee, marine and chiropractor.
When he arrived in Australia, his raspy voice and natural acting talents brought him to the attention of Australian television studio networks.
Mercurio starred in several Australian TV series, including Cash and Company, Tandarra and the miniseries Power Without Glory.
He played guest roles in Australian TV police series, including Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Police.
Film appearances include The Blue Lagoon, The Man from Snowy River, Turkey Shoot, Crocodile Dundee II, Return to the Blue Lagoon and Doing Time for Patsy Cline.
Mercurio was the father of dancer and actor Paul Mercurio, who starred in the hit 1992 film Strictly Ballroom.
Paul on Tuesday posted a message on his website before the "fairly major" operation that read.
It read: "My dad is at this very moment laying on a table in a hospital getting cut open to fix an aneurysm in his chest".
"Spare a thought for him if you can. He is a tough old bugger so he should be fine, however he is getting on - 82 and has become a little frailer over the last few years."
Mercurio was the president of the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his second wife Rita and six children.