Jazer's Aussie Craze

ALL Saints star Mark Priestley suffered deep depression for months but was unable to beat the personal demons that led him to end his life.

The 32-year-old was unable to work on some days and production was re-scheduled around his illness to accommodate him in the hope he would recuperate.

Family, friends, colleagues and his Seven network employer were aware and supportive of him during the bleak periods, a colleague said yesterday.

His recently estranged girlfriend, Kate Mulvany, emerged to issue a personal statement as filming on the drama resumed.

She and Priestley split up only three weeks ago - well after his diagnosis for depression - and the Sydney-based actor/playwright had been out of contact since his death about lunchtime on Wednesday.

"Mark was my partner, my best friend, my soulmate and brought great joy to all who knew him," the 32-year-old wrote in an email.

"Thank you to everyone for your kind words. I request now that you let us grieve for him and please remember him with love."

Priestley was found dead on a building ledge above Market St in central Sydney between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday after falling to his death from a 23rd-floor hotel-room balcony.

It was the day after his popular nurse character, Dan Goldman, married Erica Templeton, played by Jolene Anderson.

Almost 1.3 million Australian fans watched the episode.

Friends and colleagues remained typically confused yesterday about the apparent suicide of a successful and much-loved friend.

His Perth-based parents, Richard and Judy, said his funeral would be held there next Thursday.

They also acknowledged the support their son was given during his illness.

"We are greatly strengthened and helped in this very difficult time by the expressions of sympathy and the kind comments about Mark's life and career," they said.

"We are especially grateful to Channel 7 for their consideration towards Mark in recent times."

Priestley's character will remain on screen for the next 11 episodes of the hospital drama.

ANYONE with personal problems can call Lifeline on 131 114; Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline on 1300 651 251; or Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978.

Source: Herald Sun

This is the clip featuring Dan and Erica's long awaited wedding for you to enjoy. Seeing this proves that Mark was indeed a great actor and will be sorely missed!!!!!!!!

ALL Saints actor Mark Priestley is dead, it was revealed today.

The much-loved actor, 32, who played doctor Dan Goldman, is believed to have killed himself in Sydney while suffering depression.

Cast members of the hit Channel Seven medical drama are in mourning after the news was broken today.

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.

The episode topped the ratings in Sydney for the night.

The sudden death is the second recent trauma to hit All Saints, after actress Virginia Gay was mugged in Sydney - allegedly by two thugs accused of later killing a man.

And it comes months after Australia's TV community was rocked by the Sydney suicide of Channel Ten newsreader Charmaine Dragun.

The official All Saints website biography for Priestley says: "Mark's first big TV break was when he appeared in the The Farm in 2000 and met director Kate Woods. "She gave him a key role in her mini-series Changi in 2001 and since then he's been no stranger to television.

"Mark's played a semi-regular role in The Secret Life of Us and appeared in Blue Heelers before his first on-air appearance in All Saints in July 2004.

"Mark also has some notable theatre credits. He worked with the famed Bell Shakespeare Company where he played Silvio in The Servant of Two Masters as well as with The Sydney Theatre Company in Major Barbara, both in 2003.

"Born in Perth, he has always wanted to act and from a young age entertained his school friends with his classroom gags. Mark moved to Sydney in 1997 to study at NIDA and appeared in many student productions before graduating in 1999.

"Mark lives in Sydney and in his spare time loves to play golf, boules, tennis and go to the theatre."

Priestley's last episode for All Saints was called Best Laid Plans. It was screened this week and featured his character's marriage.

If you need help and support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or get help online from Sane Australia

Source: The Australian

I still can't believe that this has happened. Mark was a good actor and I always thought that Dan Goldman would be on All Saints until the very end. Depression is something that no-one should ever go through but sadly people still won't talk about it so those who suffer from it must try their best to live their lives to the best of their abilities.

I never got the chance to meet him but judging by the many comments I have read, Mark seemed to be a very down-to-earth kind of guy.

After reading many of the news reports covering Mark's death, it looks like he was upset over the break-up of his long-time love, playwright and actor Kate Mulvany. Hopefully his family, friends and fellow co-stars will be able to remember the good times as no-one should ever blame themselves!!

REST IN PEACE MARK PRIESTLY, WE'RE GOING MISS YA MATE!!!!!!!

Here is one of many tributes for Mark on YouTube:

Jazer's Blog is back AGAIN!! This time I think I sorted everything out with the password so hopefully I won't have any problems signing in.

Anyway as you all know, this year Australia has produced some good and bad drama series. From the hugely popular Underbelly to the complete failure Canal Road, we have always managed to talk about the characters and storylines which grace our screens every week. Sea Patrol and City Homicide keep on going strong while All Saints is finding it's feet as some of their storylines have caused a few problems. After eight years and over 200 episodes, McLeod's Daughters will be finishing things up but hopefully Channel Nine will see sense and let the show run until the end of this year.

So now lets get down to business, there are a few new Aussie drama shows that I'm looking forward to watching. Rush, Packed to the Rafters, Scorched and The Strip will be appearing on our screens after the Olympics have finished. It's great to see so much Australian drama back on our screens as it can be tough watching all those overseas shows, especially if you don't like them!!

Here are a few promos for you to enjoy:

Rush (Channel Ten)


Scorched (Channel Nine)


The Strip (Channel Nine)


Packed to the Rafters (Channel Seven)