Aussie film legend who produced The Flying Doctors and Cop Shop dies after long cancer battle
Legendary Australian film producer Ian Crawford died on Wednesday aged 91 after a long battle with spinal cancer.
He was the son of pioneering Australian film producer Dorothy Crawford, who founded Crawford Productions, and followed his mother's footsteps into the industry.
Crawford Productions was founded in 1945 and was one of Australia's most renowned film production companies for many years, making some of the country's most beloved shows.
His death was confirmed in a heartbreaking social media statement from a family member.
'Very sad to report the passing this morning at 9.00 of Ian Crawford,' they began.
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'He died peacefully with family and loved ones at his bedside. He was 91.'
Last month, his wife Carole shared a heartbreaking update to social media revealing her husband's health had taken a downturn and he had been hospitalised in Melbourne.
'Ian is in palliative care at Cabrini in Malvern after weeks of really bad back pain. They have discovered he has cancer of the spine which has now spread to his stomach,' Carole wrote.
'He is being looked after every moment by the staff and especially by his children and the whole family.
'Any notes or well wishes you would like passed on can be left in the comments below and they will be shared with Ian.'
Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Crawford.
'RIP Ian. Sending condolences to the Crawford family,' one person wrote.
'I loved his shows. They kept me entertained,' a second added.
Across a three-decade plus career in the industry spanning from the '50s to the '80s, Crawford helped create some of Australia's most beloved TV shows.
This included producing the ground-breaking police procedurals Division 4 and Cop Shop, as well as beloved drama The Flying Doctors.
He also directed many TV shows, including episodes of The Last of the Australians, Matlock Police and Skyways.
Crawford worked with many of Australia's most beloved actors throughout his career, including John Farnham, Rebecca Gibney and Sigrid Thornton.
He is survived by his wife Carole and their two children, son Chris and daughter Anna, who acted in several of his shows including The Flying Doctors and Cop Shop.
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