Titan of cinema and cultural icon David Dalaithngu dies

The 68-year-old Yolŋu actor, dancer, singer and painter has died after a four-year battle with lung cancer.

David Dalaithngu at the premiere of 'My Name is Gulpilil'. The legendary Yolngu man has died at 68. Source: Naomi Jellicoe

Yolŋu man David Dalaithngu AM, a giant of Australian cinema, has died at the age of 68.

One of the country's most iconic and beloved cultural figures, the actor, singer, dancer and painter passed away after a four-year battle with lung cancer. 

Born and raised in Arnhem land, Dalaithngu is from Ramingining and is of the Mandjalpingu clan.

He became a skilled tracker, hunter and ceremonial dancer. 

He found success far away from his home as well, his stellar film career capped off in 2014 with the Best Actor gong in the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard. 

It was the culmination of an incredible cinematic career that began at the age of 17, when he was picked to appear in the classic 1971 film Walkabout, in part for his skill with a spear.

David Dalaithngu in a scene from The Tracker. Source: Supplied

He went on to appear in several defining films of Australian cinema, including Storm Boy, Crocodile Dundee, The Tracker and Rabbit-Proof Fence.  

"Thank you very much for watching me," the 66-year-old actor said in a 2019 video after receiving a lifetime achievement award from NAIDOC, the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.

"Never forget me. While I am here, I will never forget you. I will still remember you, even though I am gone forever, I will still remember," said the actor, whose daughters Phoebe and MaKia accepted the award on his behalf in Canberra, revealing he had lung cancer.

"One day soon he will go to the Dreamtime," said Phoebe Marson, fighting back tears.

A traditional dancer, Dalaithngu adapted the precision, grace and agility of the discipline into his acting. Source: NITV

In March 2020, NITV's Ryan Liddle visited David at his home in Murray Bridge and delivered him mud crabs from Maningrida, as he was homesick but too unwell to travel back to Arnhem Land.

"They always think of me and I always think of them too," he said.

"They sending the crab to show how much they love me, and I love them, my family."

David Dalaithngu was a man who loved his land and his culture, and he took it to the world.

Check out SBS On Demand to see some of the great Dalaithngu movies on offer.