Lex Marinos, the Australian-Greek actor best known his long-running role in Kingswood Country, has died at age 75.

He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. The condition was managed but returned in 2023. He died at home peacefully, surrounded by family.

Born Alexander Francis Marinos in Wagga Wagga in 1949, he left his home town at age 13 and, following his father’s wishes, enrolled at high school in Sydney and headed towards a career in architecture.

Later, at the University of NSW, he changed course to studying drama. He graduated with honours and accepted a teaching job at the university’s drama department. After 18 months he decided to focus on performing.

He acted and directed in theatre and presented on ABC radio station 2JJ in Sydney. Early television credits included guest roles in The Rovers, The Aunty Jack Show, Certain Women, Flash Nick From Jindavick, Matlock Police, King’s Men, Alvin Purple, Chopper Squad, Scattergood, Love Thy Neighbour In Australia and Cop Shop.

His big break came in 1979 when he was offered the role of Bruno, the Italian son-in-law of bigoted Ted Bullpitt (Ross Higgins) in sitcom Kingswood Country. He initially refused the role. “I explained I was sick of playing the European with the strong accent,” he told TV Week in 1981. “I told them I was intensely proud of my Greek heritage. But I wanted to use my good old Aussie accent for a change.” The show’s writers, Gary Reilly and Tony Sattler, then said that Bruno would be Australian-born, and Marinos accepted. He went on to play the role of Bruno Bertolucci for four years.

While starring in Kingswood Country, he also had a stint as host of SBS current affairs program, SCOOP.

Later acting credits included City West, Embassy, A Country Practice, GP, Water Rats, Pizza, Rake, Glitch, The Twelve, NCIS: Sydney and a guest role in the remake of Mother And Son.

He played Manolis in the acclaimed ABC series The Slap in 2011.

As a director, his credits included the mini-series Bodyline, Gillies And Company and an episode of A Country Practice.

He appeared on comedy shows Live And Sweaty, World Series Debating and Good News Week, hosted Late Night Legends on ABC2 and was a judge on community TV quiz show Histrionics.

He was a featured subject in a 2013 episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

In 1994, he was awarded an Order of the Medal of Australia for services to performing arts as an actor, director and writer.

YouTube: SBS On Demand

Source: Neos Kosmos, IMDB, ABC, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. TV Week, 25 January 1975, 19 September 1981.