Natalie Barr’s tribute after death of Sunrise make-up artist

A devastated Natalie Barr has led the tributes as the team at Seven’s flagship morning show Sunrise grieve a sudden death this week.

Sunrise host Natalie Barr has left a long and heart-wrenching tribute to Channel Seven makeup artist Gary Siutz, who died earlier this week after battling skin cancer.

The host uploaded a series of personal photos of her and Gary to Instagram on Wednesday, claiming that she and the Sunrise crew will “never forget” him.

Gary worked as a makeup artist for Sunrise and The Morning Show.

“It’s the saddest of weeks because our wonderful, fun, irreverent, talented-as-all-hell friend and colleague @garrysiutz has passed away,” Natalie wrote.

The Sunrise crew have all been left devastated by the loss. Picture: Instagram

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“He was the life of the makeup room. For years, while he created magic at 4am, we talked and laughed, about our families and the news and any good goss that was going around. He was a talker and so was I.

“But mainly he was one of the most talented hair and makeup artists I’ve ever worked with in more than 30 years in TV.

“We travelled the world. He painted my face and did my hair everywhere from the back seat of a plane from London to New York as we raced to broadcast from five countries in five days, to a toilet in Dubai, a dodgy hotel in Rio, a beach on the Gold Coast, Carols in the Domain and many, many more weird and wonderful places in between.

“All of them filled with stories and memories and laughter.”

The 53-year-old host shared various photos with Gary. Picture: Instagram

“To Leonie and Oscar and Kiya and family, we’ll never forget him here at @sunriseon7. We loved you Gaz,” Natalie concluded, speaking to Gary’s partner, Leonie, and their two children, Kiya and Oscar.

Natalie wasn’t the only Channel Seven team member to express their condolences online.

The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies also uploaded a photo of she and Gary, captioned: “Loved him to bits.”

Kylie Gillies also shared a tribute to Gary. Picture: Instagram

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Her co-host, Larry Emdur added: “What an absolute legend. He gave us more stories and more belly laughs than anyone else in the biz. We will miss him and the world will miss him.”

Channel Seven executive producer Sarah Stinson shared a heartwarming message for her late friend.

“Our beautiful friend @garrysiutz passed away yesterday,’ she wrote on Instagram.

“A light has gone out that can never be replaced. Wildly eccentric, brave, hilarious and oh-so-interesting.

“His passion for makeup was second to none, a magician that would transform mortals/muggles into models with just a wave of his wand. He made it look so easy and effortless. Of course it was anything but.”

Channel Seven executive producer Sarah Stinson remembered Gary as "eccentric, brave, hilarious and oh-so-interesting". Picture: Instagram

“Constantly excited by his home aquarium and developing coral… while in LA on a work trip he convinced me to drive two hours out of the city to pick up bulk fish food from a discount aquarium shop (only to have customs confiscate it on the way home). Always an adventure, always a story.”

Kyly Clarke, Anna Heinrich, Rhonda Burchmore, Amber Laidler and Laura Csortan also paid tribute to Gary.

Rebecca Maddern who is now at Channel Nine says she was in “absolute shock” when learning of his death.

“He used to make me laugh and laugh when I was at ch 7,” she wrote on Stinson’s post. “I’m so sad for his beautiful family which he adored.”

Originally published as Natalie Barr’s tribute after death of Sunrise make-up artist