Dieter Brummer, who played Shane Parrish on Home and Away, has died age 45

Dieter Brummer, the ‘90s heart-throb who played Home and Away’s Shane Parrish, has died aged 45, remembered as “talented” by family.

Dieter Brummer, best known for his role opposite Melissa George as Shane Parrish on Home and Away, has died age 45.

The actor was found dead in Glenhaven, in Sydney’s north-west, on Saturday afternoon.

Family friend Steve Comey confirmed the tragic news on Facebook and shared a statement from Brummer’s heartbroken family.

“On behalf of my family, we post this today with a heavy heart,” it said.

“We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning.

“He has left a massive hole in our lives and our World will never be the same. Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.

“We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time.

“Should you, or anyone you know be affected by this, or indeed are feeling pain at this time, there are good people that you can talk to. Please pick up the phone – Lifeline 13 11 14.”

Friends have paid tribute to Dieter Brummer on social media after the actor died over the weekend, aged 45.

Mr Comey had earlier referred to Brummer as a “free spirit”.

“Heartbreaking news. We have lost a free spirit. Vale Dieter Brummer. Way too young. Way too soon. My sincerest, deepest condolences to his beautiful sister Karlene and all of Dieter’s family & friends. Keep flying young fella.”

His death is not being treated as suspicious, according to police.

“About 1.30pm (Saturday 24 July 2021), officers from The Hills Police Area Command responded to reports of a concern for welfare at a home on Glenhaven Road, Glenhaven,” NSW Police told news.com.au.

“The body of a man was located inside the home. His death is not believed to be suspicious. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.”

Brummer was still in high school when he joined the set of Home and Away in 1992. He remained on the show until 1996 and took out the most popular actor Silver Logie in both 1995 and 1996.

He went on to appear in various TV dramas including the Underbelly series, Rescue Special Ops, Winners and Losers and a stint on Neighbours in both 2011 and 2012 as the character Troy Miller.

Brummer worked as a window-cleaner between acting roles and was running his own, successful business.

Iconic ‘90s screen couple Dieter Brummer as Shane Parish and Melissa George as Angel Brooks in a scene from Home and Away.

Teen heart-throb Brummer and Emily Symons on the Home and Away set.

Responding to the sad news, a Seven spokesperson told news.com.au: “Home and Away and Channel 7 are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing.

“Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish. We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

Tributes from friends in the entertainment industry have started to flow on Twitter.

Very sad to hear of the death of former TV heart-throb & Logie winner Dieter Brummer at 45 years old. Home & Away was a massive hit for him in the 90s. There wereother credits too but when you hit such dizzying heights at a very young age life & career after can be problematic. pic.twitter.com/tz0VlbmbJY

— Peter Ford (@mrpford) July 26, 2021

Such sad news about Dieter Brummer. I interviewed him when he did Underbelly. He was so funny and nice and remarkably humble for someone who was the biggest heartthrob in the country at one point.

— Nathanael Cooper (@nathanaelcooper) July 26, 2021

RIP Dieter Brummer (Home & Away). Sad news today of his passing, was a really decent, hard working pleasant guy. Always sweet and kind to me and all those he worked with. Vale Dieter. pic.twitter.com/U79jRk0E9k

— Danny Waterson (@dannywaterson) July 26, 2021

Vale Dieter Brummer, best known as Shane Parrish in Home and Away pic.twitter.com/jMXye2KnPp

— Nigel Giles (@Number96Bk) July 26, 2021

Born in Sydney in 1976, Brummer was just a teenager when he landed the role as Parrish. Alongside Melissa George’s character Angel Brooks, he became one half of Australia’s favourite couple.

But in a shock to fans of the soap, he later revealed the pair didn’t get along in real life.

“There was a lot of pressure on us,” George recalled in the 2018 TV special Home and Away: Endless Summer, released to celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary.

“We had to look like the perfect darling couple in public.”

When asked what the two of them were really like off screen, Brummer made it clear they weren’t the best of mates.

“It wasn’t like anything off screen,” he said with a cheeky grin. “It was all on screen.”

According to Woman’s Day in 2012, Brummer even asked producers to kill off his character after he had had enough of working with George.

His character died from blood poisoning in a 1996 episode.

Brummer’s Melissa George bombshell shocked Home and Away fans. Picture: Nathan Edwards.

In 2014, the former Summer Bay star said he’s “not proud” of his acting on Home and Away in a candid TV Week interview.

“From the clips I’ve seen on YouTube, it’s hard not to cringe,” he told the publication.

He went on to say he believed his involvement in the show prevented him from landing other roles.

The actor scored a role as cop Young Trevor in Underbelly: The Tale of Two Cities. Picture: Supplied

He also appeared in Winners and Losers as Jason Ross. Picture: Supplied

Brummer pictured in 2010 with Gyton Grantley and Peter Phelps.

“You get typecast. It’s hard for producers or casting agents not to remember. I’m still ‘that bloke from Home and Away’ 20 years later.

“Sometimes you sit back and think, ‘I wonder what it would’ve been like if I didn’t get that job at 15?’”