Tragic Loss: Australian Actor and Singer Johnny Ruffo Passes Away at 35
Johnny Ruffo, beloved Australian actor and singer from Home and Away and X Factor Australia, tragically passes away at 35 after a brave battle with brain cancer His indomitable spirit and talent touched countless hearts, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry
Australian actor and singer Johnny Ruffo, famous for his roles on the popular Australian TV series "Home and Away" and X Factor Australia, has tragically passed away at the age of 35 due to brain cancer. A statement was shared on his official Instagram account on Friday, expressing the sorrow felt by his loved ones as they say goodbye to Johnny.
"Johnny passed away peacefully, with the loving presence of his partner Tahnee and their family, supported by the amazing Nurses & Doctors," it stated.
"He possessed incredible talent, charm, and occasional mischievousness. Johnny was exceptionally resolute and exhibited unwavering determination. He fought relentlessly until the very end, showcasing immense strength. A truly beautiful soul, he had so much more to offer," expressed the statement.
The post expressed love for Johnny and acknowledged the happiness he brought into people's lives. They signed off with a message of rest and ease. Cast members of "Home and Away" shared their love and memories of working with Johnny on the series.
Actress Penny McNamee, who portrays Tori Morgan, shared, "Meeting Johnny as the first member of the @homeandaway cast was such a heartwarming experience. He exuded warmth, humor, and humility from the very beginning. The happiness he brought to the world is immeasurable. My heartfelt thoughts go out to Tahnee, Johnnys family, and all his loved ones."
Georgie Parker, an Australian TV soap actress who plays Roo Stewart, expressed, "Sending my love to Johnnys family, friends, and those who held a special place in his heart. He was truly extraordinary - exceptionally funny, vibrant, and dedicated. It is incredibly unfair that he is no longer with us. Rest in peace, Johnny."
Actress Sophie Dillman, who plays Ziggy Astoni, said, "Such a beautiful soul."
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Other celebrities also expressed their thoughts, including Dannii Minogue, an Australian singer and TV personality. She responded to the post, stating, "He was such a charming guy. Many will miss his voice, smile, and dancing skills. My thoughts are with his family during this devastating time."
Mel B, a former Spice Girl and judge on X Factor Australia during Ruffo's time as a contestant, also commented on the post, saying, "My heart is shattered."
Ruffo gained national recognition and secured a record deal with Sony after reaching the finals of X Factor Australia in 2011, as reported by CNN affiliate Seven News. In 2012, he released his first single "On Top" and followed it up with "Take It Home." Additionally, he participated as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" during the same year.
Ruffo took on the role of Chris Harrington in the popular series "Home and Away" for a span of 307 episodes from 2013 to 2016, as stated on IMDb.
Additionally, he was cast in the TV mini-series "House of Bond" in 2017 and appeared as Owen Campbell, a prison guard, in four episodes of the Australian soap opera "Neighbours" in 2022.
27 staples across my hairline
In 2017, Ruffo made a public revelation about being diagnosed with brain cancer and successfully underwent a tumor removal surgery, as reported by Seven News. Later, in a subsequent announcement two years later, he confirmed that the cancer had entered a remission phase.
In November 2020, he took to Instagram to reveal the unfortunate news of his cancer's recurrence. With great sadness, I must inform you that I am now facing another daunting battle against brain cancer. Despite this, I am determined to overcome this wretched disease once more.
In a subsequent December post, he expressed gratitude to everyone for their support, stating, "You all have played a crucial role in maintaining my positivity and resilience," and then went on to say, "Together, let's conquer this chemotherapy."
Last year in August, Ruffo published his book titled "No Finish Line," where he chronicled his journey of battling cancer.
He recounted the experience of waking up in a Sydney hospital's ICU in 2017 after having a tumor "the size of a tennis ball" surgically removed. In his own words, he mentioned struggling to speak and having various tubes attached to his skull. Additionally, he humorously pointed out the row of 27 staples running across his hairline, which gave him an uncanny resemblance to Frankenstein, as one of his friends, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, amusingly quipped, a character from Doctor Who.
Prior to this ordeal, he led a vibrant life at the age of 29, deeply in love, engrossed in meaningful work involving television shows and music that he was proud of, and still managing to make time for socializing with his friends.
Ruffo was reported by Australia's national broadcaster ABC to have stage 3 oligodendroglioma, a type of primary brain tumor that constitutes 2 to 5% of all cases according to The Brain Tumour Charity in the UK.
