‘All Saints’ Cast React To Mark Priestley’s Death

Tributes have started to pour out of the Australian television, film and theatre industries for actor Mark Priestley, who was found dead on Wednesday afternoon. The show that enjoyed a ratings spike on Tuesday, with 1.7 million tuning in to see Priestley’s character Dan get married, All Saints stopped filming yesterday for at least 24 hours, and members of the cast have offered their thoughts about their co-star’s tragic death.

John Howard, who plays Dr Frank Campion, said Priestley was a fine actor: “He had the most extraordinary combination of very deft comic touch and great emotional depth.”

John Waters, who plays Dr Mike Vlasek, was stunned. “I worked with him on stage and on screen and will miss him more than I can say right now,” Waters said. “Mark the actor was intuitive, and graced every scene in which he appeared with a touch of whimsical genius that only he could apply.”

Wil Traval, who plays Dr Jack Quade, described his friend as a gift. “It’s so sad,” he said. “He has some quiet from the pain now.”

Series producer Bill Hughes said he had lost a friend.

“His work as an actor is always inventive and his performance in All Saints is a joy to watch,” Hughes said.

Details of Priestley’s final hours have emerged as the staff of the Swissotel in Sydney, where he had been staying, have been assisting police in their investigations.

He had jumped from the 23rd floor of the Swissotel where he had checked in alone under the name Damian Barker about 11.30am.

Sources said he had asked for a room with a balcony.

Swissotel marketing manager Georgina Williams said hotel staff were working with police. “It’s terribly sad,” she said. “I am a fan of the show myself.”

Much of the coverage features “sources” speculating as to the cause of Priestley’s depression and suicide, with the Herald Sun and others deducing that it was his recent relationship breakup that was the catalyst; however, such speculation remains just that – speculation – and is of no help to anyone, particularly Priestley’s family and friends. I can’t help but feel that beyond addressing the facts as they stand, this should just be seen for what it is: a terrible tragedy and a great loss to the Australian entertainment industry.

The terrible reality of Preistley’s situation (and so many others like it) is that we’ll never really know what drives people to make the decision to end their life, but we can try to stop others from reaching that point by encouraging them to seek help.

You can call: Lifeline on 131 114; Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline on 1300 651 251; or Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978.