Jack Thompson on dialysis: "I'm going to go on borrowing"

Honoured on the Gold Coast, the Australian screen veteran tells Sally Bowrey he still welcomes acting work as colleagues celebrate his influence.

Channel: 7NEWS Australia ·

AustraliaStory of November 2, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of 7NEWS Australia's most watched videos since yesterday, with 93,684 views.

7NEWS Australia: The news service of Australia's Seven Network, owned by Seven West Media. 2.3M subscribers and 1.7B views.

Jack Thompson's health battle and legendary career | 7NEWS

Things we can learn from the video

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0:33Thompson connects Australian cinema with the country it depicts and says he remains open to acting work.
0:53The report shows Thompson being honoured at the Asia Pacific Screen Forum on the Gold Coast.
1:12Russell Crowe describes Thompson as a mentor and friend, bringing him to tears.
2:16Thompson says he undergoes dialysis every three days for kidney failure and intends to keep embracing life.
2:49Thompson recites Walter Savage Landor's poem before sharing a laugh with Bowrey.

Jack Thompson has no intention of treating his career tribute as a farewell. Speaking about dialysis for kidney failure, the actor tells reporter Sally Bowrey: "I'm living on borrowed time, and I'm going to go on borrowing that time."

Australian broadcaster 7NEWS Australia brings together that interview, a retrospective of Thompson's screen work and recorded messages from colleagues as he is honoured at the Asia Pacific Screen Forum on the Gold Coast. At 86, he remains open to another acting job. When the conversation turns to work, his response is immediate: "Is that an offer?"

Thompson helped define the Australian cinema revival through films including Sunday Too Far Away, The Club and The Man from Snowy River. Asked about Australian cinema, he puts its importance simply: "It's about where we live."

The colleagues paying tribute include Bryan Brown and Sean Penn, who calls him "a force of a man and a great force in film". Russell Crowe's message makes the professional debt personal: "He has always been a mentor. What's more important, he's my mate."

Thompson is moved to tears as Crowe describes his influence and affection. But the interview also gives Thompson room to explain the treatment shaping his life: he says he undergoes dialysis every three days. "I love life. It's the only thing I know."

Towards the end, he recites Walter Savage Landor's poem "I strove with none". Bowrey responds, "Not just yet though," and Thompson laughs in agreement.

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