“Mad Max” Star Kjell Nilsson Dies at 76 After ‘End-Stage Kidney Disease’ Diagnosis
“Mad Max” Star Kjell Nilsson Dies at 76 After ‘End-Stage Kidney Disease’ Diagnosis
Kimberlee SpeakmanFri, July 3, 2026 at 5:49 PM UTC
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Kjell Nilsson in July 2016 in LondonCredit: Dinendra Haria/Alamy -
Actor Kjell Nilsson, best known for his role in Mad Max 2, has died at the age of 76
Nilsson was an Olympic-level weightlifter who transitioned to acting after moving to Australia in 1980
His family shared he battled kidney disease for years and found joy in inspiring others through his career
Actor Kjell Nilsson, who was best known for his role in Mad Max 2, has died.
The actor died on Thursday, July 2 at the age of 76 in Queensland, Australia, according to his family and his rep, Chris Carbaugh, who confirmed the news to TMZ.
Carbaugh described Nilsson to the outlet as a “wonderful person” who helped inspire others through his work as a weight training coach, and also someone who “embraced” his Mad Max role and loved the fans that came with it.
The actor's family also shared the news in a Facebook post the same day. They said that Nilsson “had been battling end-stage kidney disease for the past four and a half years” before his death and received dialysis “three days a week.”
“This past Sunday, after much consideration, Kjell made the decision to take back control over his pain and his body by stopping dialysis,” his family said, adding that the “days leading up to his passing were filled with joy, gratitude, peace, and acceptance.”
He died “peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his sons,” his family said.
They also noted that he had experienced kidney failure in 2022 and continued to live for four more Christmases, past what doctors predicted. He also suffered “blood clotting in his legs,” leaving him unable to walk; however, he managed to do so through “relentless weight training, determination, and sheer force of will.”
Kjell Nilsson in 'Mad Max 2' in 1981Credit: Alamy
“That mindset didn't just overcome the impossible, it gave Kjell more than four decades of life that he might otherwise never have had. More importantly, it gave him the chance to continue raising his five sons, whom he loved beyond words, and who loved him just as deeply,” his family added.
PEOPLE has reached out to his family and Carbaugh for comment.
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Nilsson was born in 1949 in Gothenburg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden. He became an Olympic-class weightlifter and eventually moved to Australia in 1980 to train Swedish athletes preparing for the Moscow Olympics that same year.
While in Australia, he met Australian actress Kate Ferguson, and the pair got married in Sweden later that year. The actress persuaded him to return to Australia and helped guide him into the Australian film industry.
He eventually landed his first role as a pirate in The Pirate Movie before starring as The Humungus in Mad Max 2, which was later dubbed The Road Warrior.
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From there, he had small roles in 1984's Man of Letters, 1988's Hard Knuckle and 1989's The Edge of Power.
His last film role was in 2023's Howlin Refrain, which was co-written and directed by Nils Nilsson (though, the pair share no relation.)
“In his final days, Kjell spoke often of how grateful he was for his bodybuilding and coaching career, for the life he built between the two countries he called home, Sweden and Australia, and for the opportunity to inspire and connect with people around the world through his iconic role as The Lord Humungus,” his family wrote in the Facebook post.
“That legacy will never die,” they added.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
