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All Saints star Mark Priestley dies

Friends, colleagues and fans of Priestley have been devastated by his death, as his on-screen love was injured in a car crash.

The much-loved actor, 32, is believed to have killed himself while suffering depression.

His body was found at the foot of a CBD building in Sydney about 2pm on Wednesday.

Priestley played nurse Dan Goldman in the popular series.

Cast and crew of the TV series are struggling to come to terms with the death of cast member Mark Priestley, the Seven Network says.

A spokeswoman today confirmed the actor, who played nurse Dan Goldman in the long-running drama, took his own life.

She said the cast was "devastated" when informed this morning on set, particularly Jolene Anderson, who played his on-screen wife.

It has also emerged that Anderson injured her arm when her car was struck by a truck in an accident yesterday.

"They were incredibly close, their two characters just got married," the spokeswoman said.

"Like other members of the cast and crew, Jolene is struggling to come to terms with the death of her dear friend overnight."

The "very close, tight-knit group" were informed on set and filming was called off for the day, she said.

"They were devastated so we closed the set immediately as people were trying to come to terms with the tragedy," the spokeswoman said.

"We'll endeavour to get back to filming tomorrow."

The TV station says it expects continue to show Priestley's character in several more episodes of the popular series.

"The episode that went to air on Tuesday was shot some time ago," a Seven spokeswoman said.

And scores of fans have expressed their sympathy to family and friends on the Herald Sun website.

Priestley was behind a huge ratings surge for the show on Tuesday night after his character finally married that of fellow star Jolene Anderson, after a lengthy on-off screen relationship.

As the show celebrated topped the ratings in Sydney for the night, it has emerged that his on-screen love Anderson was injured in a car smash.

The Logie nominee is nurse Erica Templeton in the Seven series.

Anderson was returning home from a matinee performance of Tell Me On A Sunday - her new musical - when her vehicle was struck by a truck.

She is understood to have sustained an arm injury, which has required a sling.

"Jolene was driving yesterday, and the car she was driving was hit by a truck," a Seven spokeswoman said.

"She walked away from the accident but is having further X-rays today."

The spokeswoman said Priestley had been proud of Anderson's theatre musical role in Tell Me On A Sunday.

"No one loved her doing it more than Mark, he was thrilled," she said.

Channel 7's Director of Programming and Production Tim Worner said Priestley was a tremendous young person who was loved and respected by the All Saints cast and crew.

"Mark was such a brilliant artist. His work on stage and screen was admired by everybody who knew him. His death is such a sad loss. We at Channel Seven will miss his energy and smile.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family and friends."

It is understood Priestley's body will soon be flown back to Perth from Sydney. His funeral will be held in Perth next week

Seven is organising a memorial service in Sydney.

Priestley's death is the second recent drama to hit All Saints, after co-star Virginia Gay was violently attacked in Sydney by two men who went on to kill another man minutes later.

"The cast have been rocked by two tragedies," the Seven spokeswoman said.

"Virginia's own violent attack and now this."

A native of Perth, Priestley attended the prestigious Sydney acting academy NIDA before making his first television appearance in The Farm in 2000.

He soon went on to roles in World War II-drama Changi, The Secret Life of Us and Blue Heelers. Priestley first appeared in All Saints in 2004.

Priestley was also a noted theatre actor, working with the Bell Shakespeare Company and appearing in a revival of The Graduate.

ANYONE with personal problems can call Lifeline on 131 114 or Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978 or visit: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Staff writers
August 28, 2008
The Herald Sun