Richard Norton, the Australian martial artist, actor, and stunt coordinator whose work electrified Hollywood blockbusters and redefined action choreography, has died at the age of 75. His wife, Judy Green, confirmed the news via Instagram, withholding the cause of death in a quiet nod to the family’s privacy during this time of grief. For those who’ve thrilled to the apocalyptic chaos of Mad Max: Fury Road or marveled at the precision of stunts in films like The Suicide Squad, Norton’s passing feels like the loss of a hidden architect—one whose contributions were felt in every bone-crunching punch and high-flying leap, even if his name wasn’t always the one in lights.
Born in Australia, Norton carved an improbable path to the heart of action cinema. A martial arts prodigy, he trained under icons like Chuck Norris and earned black belts in multiple disciplines—a foundation that would prove invaluable when he transitioned to the screen. His early roles in films like The Octagon (1980) and Equalizer 2000 (1987) showcased a raw physicality paired with an undeniable screen presence, but it was his work behind the camera that truly distinguished him. As a stunt coordinator and fight choreographer, Norton became a go-to collaborator for directors seeking to elevate their action sequences into something visceral and unforgettable.
Hollywood took notice, and Norton’s resume grew to include some of the industry’s most ambitious projects. He lent his expertise to Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, Blacklight, and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, crafting sequences that balanced chaos with clarity. He trained stars like Charlize Theron and Liam Neeson, turning them into credible action heroes—Theron’s transformation into the indomitable Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road owes much to Norton’s rigorous guidance. Director James Gunn, who collaborated with Norton on The Suicide Squad, mourned his loss on social media, calling him “a wonderfully talented stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actor” and, more personally, a friend. It’s a sentiment that reverberates across an industry now reckoning with the void he leaves behind.
Richard Norton was a wonderfully talented stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actor. He was also a friend. I met Richard as the fight choreographer on The Suicide Squad; he choreographed the Harley escape scene, Peacemaker vs Rick Flag Jr. and more. He was a tough but sweet… pic.twitter.com/dEq3lGVudn
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 30, 2025
If there’s a single chapter of Norton’s career that towers above the rest, it’s his work on George Miller’s Mad Max saga. As the Prime Imperator in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), he brought a menacing gravitas to Immortan Joe’s inner circle, a role that demanded both acting finesse and physical command. Yet his on-screen turn was just the tip of the iceberg. As fight choreographer for Fury Road and its prequel, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (set for release in 2024), Norton shaped the films’ signature vehicular mayhem and hand-to-hand brutality. The result was a symphony of destruction—think War Boys swinging from poles and Furiosa’s one-armed ferocity—that earned Fury Road near-universal acclaim as a modern action masterpiece.
Norton’s choreography wasn’t mere spectacle; it was storytelling in motion. Every stunt, every clash of metal and flesh, propelled the narrative forward, a testament to his understanding of cinema as a visceral art form. His work on these films stands as a high-water mark not just for him, but for the stunt profession as a whole—a field that’s only recently begun to receive the recognition it deserves.
Norton’s career was a bridge between continents and genres. He cut his teeth in Hong Kong action cinema before becoming a fixture in Hollywood, a versatility that spoke to his adaptability and skill. Beyond the stunts and the fight scenes, he was a teacher—mentoring stunt performers and actors, passing down a legacy of discipline and creativity rooted in his martial arts background.
His death arrives at a moment when the film industry is finally waking up to the artistry of stunt work. Recent honors, like the SAG Award for The Fall Guy, reflect a growing appreciation for the unsung heroes who make movie magic possible. Norton was among the best of them—a pioneer whose influence stretched from the gritty B-movies of the ’80s to the billion-dollar franchises of today.
Richard Norton’s passing is a blow to action cinema, but his legacy is unshakeable. He was more than a stuntman or an actor; he was a craftsman who used his body and mind to tell stories that thrilled and inspired. His work on Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa will endure as monuments to his talent, while the performers he trained carry his lessons into the future. Tributes from colleagues and fans alike paint a picture of a man deeply respected, not just for what he did, but for how he did it—with passion, precision, and an unrelenting drive to push the boundaries of what was possible.
As we bid farewell to Norton, we’re left with the bittersweet gift of his filmography—a gallery of moments where the impossible became real, thanks to his hands, his vision, and his fearless spirit. Hollywood has lost a titan, but the echoes of his work will rumble on, loud as a War Rig tearing across the Wasteland.
