He was our Wizard, our Phantom, he will be missed
October 2nd 2008 06:52
Australia mourns - Rob Guest dies from massive stroke aged 58
It was a shock today to learn of the death of legendary and much loved Australian stage star Rob Guest.
Rob Guest (1950-2008) suffered a stroke in Melbourne on the evening of Tuesday 30 Sep and was taken to St Vincents hospital. He spent Wednesday fighting for his life but as the sun went down on a tragic day so were the curtains drawn on an extraordinary life. Rob's life support was turned off the evening of 1 Oct and he sadly passed away.
Rob had been playing the part of The Wizard in the Australian production of Wicked the musical. He took the stage for the last time on Sunday night. Rob was considered a father figure to the cast who are shocked and devestated by his passing. Last night his place was taken by understudy Rodney Dobson who had been playing the part of Doctor Dilamond.
At the time of his death Rob was surrounded by family including his wife Kellie Dickerson (musical director of Wicked), his mother Judy Barnes, and his two teenage children Amy and Christopher.
Rob Guest was born in Britain but enjoyed fame as a pop star in New Zealand in the 70s and 80s and spent a decade in Las Vegas before his stage musical career took him to Australia. Rob also hosted the short-lived 90s Australian game show Man-O-Man, and appeared regularly on variety programs and telethons.
Rob Guest played the lead in The Phantom Of The Opera for a record 2,289 performances over seven years in the 90s, more than any other performer, including Michael Crawford (the original West End), Gerard Butler (immortalised in the 2004 film), and Howard McGillin (the most Broadway shows).
Rob was a popular performer in musical theatre playing Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and starring in productions of Les Miserables, The Music Man, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll & Hyde, Jolson, and Pippin.
Farewell Rob
It was a shock today to learn of the death of legendary and much loved Australian stage star Rob Guest.
Rob Guest (1950-2008) suffered a stroke in Melbourne on the evening of Tuesday 30 Sep and was taken to St Vincents hospital. He spent Wednesday fighting for his life but as the sun went down on a tragic day so were the curtains drawn on an extraordinary life. Rob's life support was turned off the evening of 1 Oct and he sadly passed away.
Rob had been playing the part of The Wizard in the Australian production of Wicked the musical. He took the stage for the last time on Sunday night. Rob was considered a father figure to the cast who are shocked and devestated by his passing. Last night his place was taken by understudy Rodney Dobson who had been playing the part of Doctor Dilamond.
At the time of his death Rob was surrounded by family including his wife Kellie Dickerson (musical director of Wicked), his mother Judy Barnes, and his two teenage children Amy and Christopher.
Rob Guest was born in Britain but enjoyed fame as a pop star in New Zealand in the 70s and 80s and spent a decade in Las Vegas before his stage musical career took him to Australia. Rob also hosted the short-lived 90s Australian game show Man-O-Man, and appeared regularly on variety programs and telethons.
Rob Guest played the lead in The Phantom Of The Opera for a record 2,289 performances over seven years in the 90s, more than any other performer, including Michael Crawford (the original West End), Gerard Butler (immortalised in the 2004 film), and Howard McGillin (the most Broadway shows).
Rob was a popular performer in musical theatre playing Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and starring in productions of Les Miserables, The Music Man, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll & Hyde, Jolson, and Pippin.
Farewell Rob
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Comment by Cheryl J
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Artist Quirk
it was just so unexpected, and hes been such a major figure in Australian culture from when i was growing up . . . every time i see an interview with the producer or Marina Pryor on TV i get tears in my eyes!
hes the same age as my parents - just too young to die!
i saw him in Wicked, he was one of the highlights!
*sniff*
Comment by Cheryl J
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Artist Quirk
he brought integrity, maturity, and experience (and im sure you would have expected)
its a shame we wont get to see him again!
thanks for the comments!
Comment by Michaelie
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I felt sick when I heard this. It's incredibly sad, and must be such a knock for everyone involved in Wicked. But the show must go on...
Michaelie
Comment by Morgan Bell
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yeah its a bit too close to home hey!
reminds me of growing up with Hey Hey Its Saturday and Carols In The Domain where they would regularly wheel out the stage stars like Rob and Marina
thats what Marina said Rob would have wanted because he was such a professional . . .
thanks for the comment!