Legendary Australian filmmaker and Heartbreak High creator Michael Jenkins has died, aged 77.
The industry icon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020 and died in Sydney on March 4.
He wrote and directed the 1993 film The Heartbreak Kid, which spawned the popular television series Heartbreak High.
Across his 50-year career, he directed, produced and wrote for several iconic Australian television shows, including Police Rescue, Blue Murder and Wildside.
Jenkins also directed the 1985 Sam Neill film Robbery Under Arms and the 1991 Bryan Brown film Sweet Talker.
Legendary Australian filmmaker and Heartbreak High creator Michael Jenkins (right) has died aged 77. The industry icon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020 and died in Sydney on March 4. Pictured with actor Salvatore Coco
In 1996, he won an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Performance by a Director in a Television Drama for his work on the popular miniseries Blue Murder.
His last work was as a producer on the 2022 Netflix reboot of his iconic high school soap opera Heartbreak High.
Australian director Ian Barry praised Jenkins and his ability to capture ‘truthful’ performances.
Jenkins wrote and directed the 1993 film The Heartbreak Kid, which spawned the popular television series Heartbreak High.
“I had long marveled at Mike’s talent as a filmmaker and his ability to capture the truth of performance and achieve surprisingly realistic visual styles,” he said in a statement.
‘The industry will always remember him as a master filmmaker.
‘In addition to the passionate and driven personality, Mike will always be remembered as a warm, fair and empathetic friend and of course a tender and loving husband and father.’
Jenkins is survived by his longtime partner Amanda and son Jack.
His last work was as a producer on the 2022 Netflix reboot of his iconic high school soap opera Heartbreak High
