Talented Melbourne bodybuilder Mark Taylor dies while taking five-year-old son to party

A Melbourne bodybuilder and mural artist has been remembered as a ‘gentle giant’ after he died while taking his five-year-old son to a birthday party.

Melbourne bodybuilder Mark Taylor died while taking his five-year-old son to birthday party. Picture: Supplied

A talented Melbourne bodybuilder and mural artist has died while taking his five-year-old son to a birthday party.

It’s understood father of four Mark Taylor suffered a medical episode when he was with his youngest son Harlow on Saturday.

Mr Taylor, also known as The Meat Axe, was globally recognised for his murals of icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kai Greene, and Dwayne Johnson.

He was an active member of the bodybuilding community, competing in international tournaments and founded supplement business Axe Laboratories.

Mr Taylor was also known as MeatAXE. Picture: Supplied

Mr Taylor leaves behind his wife Renee and four kids Alaric, Jai, Jet and Harlow.

Family friend Siobhan Duivenvoorden said he was a “rock” to his family.

“He would shower Renee in love, he’d book her surprise flights on holidays, he’d write her love poems weekly, and hold the kids and the business in such a grounded and supportive way,” she said.

“He was incredible, a truely dedicated family man, solid friend, and will be dearly missed.”

Mr Taylor’s friend Vania McMahon said he was an “incredible human being”.

“Always a free spirit, extraordinary artist, die-hard bodybuilder and just one of the most loyal and loving people you could have ever met,” she wrote on social media.

“You gave me so much strength and encouragement through some of my most challenging times in life.

“You live on now through your beautiful children and beautiful wife.”

It’s believed Mr Taylor suffered from a medical episode on Saturday.

In a statement from IFBB Pro League Australia, Mr Taylor was described as a “gentle giant” who gave back to the community “tenfold”.

“Mark is the incredible artist behind many inspirational and powerful murals you see in gyms across the globe,” they said.

“He featured many great bodybuilders and athletes in his work, giving his entire soul to every piece he painted.

“He was quite possibly the epitome of a gentle giant.

“His talents were not just evident in his truly unmatched artistic ability with a spray can, but in his ability to make every human he spoke to feel seen and heard.”

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $40,000 for Mr Taylor’s family.

Originally published as Talented Melbourne bodybuilder Mark Taylor dies while taking five-year-old son to party