Beloved Australian film pioneer Beryl Madsen died on Thursday at the age of 89 from pneumonia.
This Queensland film buff was a pioneer in show business, helping to break the glass ceiling for women in the film industry.
Madsen began her career in 1963 as a waitress at a local drive-in movie theater.
Over the next ten years, Madsen’s hard work was rewarded with several promotions and in 1973 she became manager of one of the city’s most vibrant cinema complexes.
Madsen had a lot of famous stars as friends and often invited them to her cinema for a public lecture before one of their film screenings.
Some of the stars who spoke on her behalf included legendary Australian actor Jack Thompson, American star Jan Michael Vincent and Superman actress Susannah York, the Courier post.
One of the highlights of her esteemed career was a telegram from Paul Hogan, in which he personally thanked her for the record-breaking success of his 1986 film Crocodile Dundee at Cinema Maroochydore.
Beloved Australian film pioneer Beryl Madsen (pictured) died of pneumonia on Thursday at the age of 89
Her achievements in this area have been publicly recognised and in 2019 she was crowned Queensland Cinema Pioneer of the Year.
Madsen’s colleague Christine Pitcher confirmed the heartbreaking news of her passing in a statement.
‘Beryl was my boss, my mentor in the film industry, but most of all my friend. She was just really fun.
Her good friend Ron Livingston also paid tribute to her: ‘Beryl has held her own in the business world and I’m pleased to say she’s a good friend.’
Madsen began her career in 1963 by working as a diner waitress at a local drive-in movie theater. Over the next decade, Madsen’s hard work was recognized with several promotions, and in 1973, she became a manager at one of the city’s most vibrant movie theaters.
‘I will be eternally grateful to her. Beryl was an absolute pleasure to be around and she taught me so much about the wonderful world of cinema.’
Madsen married the love of her life, Andy Anderson, who sadly passed away in 2007.
She is survived by four children, Peter, Susan, Cameron and Martin, and eleven grandchildren.
One of the highlights of her long career was receiving a personal telegram from Paul Hogan, thanking her for the record-breaking success of his 1986 film Crocodile Dundee at the Maroochydore cinema