Australian actor Lex Marinos dies ‘surrounded by family’ aged 75

Iconic Australian actor Lex Marinos has passed away with family and the “sounds of Bob Dylan” aged 75, his family have announced.

The Wagga Wagga-born son of a Greek immigrant had a storied five decade-long career across Australia’s entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer and radio presenter.

Perhaps best known for his role as Bruno in the 1980s hit series Kingswood Country, or more recently as Manolis in The Slap.

Marinos was also a beloved radio presenter over the years, notably on Double Jay, and an advocate for diversity in Australian entertainment.

His death was announced by family on social media on Saturday, saying Mr Marinos died at a “moment of his choosing”.

“To our dear friends, colleagues and favourite people. It is with heavy hearts we let you know that Lex passed away peacefully on Friday morning,” the post reads.

“He died at home, at a moment of his choosing, surrounded by family and the sounds of Bob Dylan accompanying our vigil. There was so much love in the room.”

His family said a memorial service will be held in the weeks to come.

Marinos was born in 1949 in Wagga Wagga before his family moved to Sydney where he graduated from the University of New South Wales.

He would go on to have a decades-long career in entertainment with directors credits on TV series A Country Practice, Gillies and Company and Hard Knuckle.

Marinos was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1994 for his services to the preforming arts and the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to the Centenary of Federation celebrations.

He also held positions with cultural organisations including Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, The Australia Council, and Community Broadcasting Foundation.

He served as a member of the creative and production team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony.

Wagga Wagga’s Museum of the Riverina will hold an exhibition on Marinos’ career, titled The Lex Factor: From Wagga to the World Stage, later this year.