STAR GONE

‘Mad Max’ Star Dies at 76

The actor fought a four-year battle with kidney disease.

Kjell Nilsson, who played Lord Humungus in Mad Max 2, has died at 76. The Swedish actor and powerlifter died in Queensland, Australia, on Thursday after a four-year battle with kidney disease. Born in Sweden in 1949, Nilsson moved to Australia in 1980 as a trainer for the Moscow Olympics. There, he met his wife, Australian actor Kate Ferguson, with whom he lived in Australia, and was encouraged to begin an acting career in Australian films. He later appeared in several films, including his role as a pirate in The Pirate Movie and as the metal-masked Lord Humungus in the popular 1981 film Mad Max 2, the role for which he is best known. In a statement to TMZ, Chris Carbough, spokesperson for Nilsson, said, “Kjell was a wonderful person who inspired many as a weight-training coach. He loved the Mad Max fans and embraced the role.” He is survived by his wife.