Mad Max Actor Richard Norton Died: Told Nurse He Took Double Peptide Dose, Coroner Says

Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton, known to many as a "Mad Max" actor, died after injecting unapproved peptides, a coroner has found. Coroner David Ryan ruled that Norton's death in March 2025 was triggered by his use of the peptide products CJC1295 and Ipamorelin.

Norton died on March 30, 2025, at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, aged 75. The coroner found he had been taking more than the dose his doctor prescribed. Reports say he suffered a severe allergic reaction followed by cardiac arrest. The doctor had discussed the treatment with him in detail, including its experimental nature. 

Neither peptide is approved for therapeutic use in Australia. The coroner recommended that the country's medicines regulator, the TGA, consider tougher restrictions, and Norton's death is believed to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia from unapproved peptide use. 

Norton was an experienced film fight choreographer and martial artist. He was also a stuntman and veteran action actor.

As the findings bring fresh attention to his passing, many are keeping Norton's family, friends and the martial arts community in their thoughts and prayers.

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