John Knight: Celebrity Doctor James Wright dead at 95

Beloved celebrity doctor John Knight – better known to TV audiences for three decades as Doctor James Wright – has died, leaving behind an incredible legacy.

1976: John Knight, aka Dr James Wright with Mike Walsh and Jeanne Little on the 'Midday Show'.

Beloved celebrity doctor John Knight has died just two weeks shy of his 95th birthday.

The man better known to TV audiences as Doctor James Wright passed away in his sleep at his home in Sydney and leaves behind an incredible legacy of generosity and philanthropy.

Dr Knight, a long-time Bulletin columnist, ran the Medi-Aid Centre Foundation, which provided charity accommodation to struggling people over the age of 55 in luxury units across the Gold Coast.

Dr John Knight, better known as Doctor James Wright.

It was a service that changed the lives of hundreds of people over several decades.

John Knight was born in December 1927 and grew up in Sydney during the 1930s before studying medicine, graduating in 1952 and writing a newspaper column called Mr Answer Man.

It soon became popular and was printed in multiple newspapers including the Hobart Mercury, Brisbane Telegraph and South Africa’s Port Elizabeth Evening News.

Although primarily a Sydney resident, Dr Knight split his time with a unit at Runaway Bay.

TV doctor Dr James Wright and his wife Noreen on their wedding day in 1955.

By 1973 he’d become a fixture on Australian televisions, particularly as a regular guest on the Mike Walsh Show and the latter Midday show with host Ray Martin.

However, he was unable to use his own name.

“Back then you were not allowed to have your name in a column or anywhere else because you could get deregistered, so I became James Wright,” he told the Bulletin in 2003.

“It’s not my real name but I will still turn around if someone yells out James (Wright), it’s just instinctive.”

Dr James Wright in his Sydney offices.

Throughout his career, Dr Knight published multiple books and columns and appeared on television and radio.

However he was particularly proud of his foundation to help the elderly, something he was inspire to do by his father.

“He said we should look after old people,” Dr Knight said in 2003.

“He didn’t say exactly how we should do it, but it was our command.”

It started in 1980 with a 20-unit development in Sydney called Melaluka and grew dramatically, spreading to the Gold Coast in 1999.

2001. Dr John Knight (aka Dr James Wright) with Joan and Peter Taylor who he helped through his charity.

“It is great to know that you have played a part in helping someone lead a happier life,” he said nearly 20 years ago.

“Some of the stories we hear almost bring you to tears.

“A lot of them have cancer or have lost partners, they just have terrible stories.

“One of the first ladies we helped on the Gold Coast was 85 years old, her husband was in hospital with a terminal illness and his business partner told her he wanted to take over the business and he wanted their unit as well.

“When we heard about that we went over and bought the unit straight away and that little lady is still living there, which makes us feel great.”

Dr John Knight, aka James Wright. 1927-2022 (AAP IMAGE / Chris Pavlich).

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