Australian actor Dieter Brummer, best known for his role as Shane Parrish on TV soap Home And Away between 1992 and 1996, has died aged 45.
Brummer was found dead at a house in Sydney on Saturday by New South Wales police responding to a welfare call.
The force said his death is not being treated as suspicious.
In a statement on Monday, Brummer’s family said: “We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter.
“He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same” it added.
“Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.”
Brummer was enormously popular on Home and Away during the 1990s, playing the love interest of Melissa George’s Angel Brooks.
The Seven Network, which airs Home and Away in Australia, said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences,” a statement said.
Brummer joined Home and Away aged 15 and became a fan favourite – crowned most popular actor at Australia’s Logie TV awards for two years running in 1995 and 1996.
He was also twice voted “prince of soap” by Dolly magazine readers, as viewers became enchanted by his storyline with George.
