Actor Ngoombujarra of 'Australia,' Other Films Dies

SYDNEY (AP) -- David Ngoombujarra, one of Australia's best known indigenous actors whose films included "Australia" and "Rabbit-Proof Fence," has died. He was 44.

The actor was found in a park Sunday and died at a hospital in Fremantle, near Perth on Australia's west coast. Police have not determined the cause but said his death was not suspicious.

Two of his acclaimed films were "Rabbit-Proof Fence" and "Black and White," both released in 2002 and based on true stories of Australia's indigenous people.

"Rabbit-Proof Fence" won best film from the Australian Film Institute. Ngoombujarra won one of his three AFI awards for "Black and White," in which he played an Aborigine convicted of killing a young white girl.

"Australia" star Hugh Jackman said on Twitter he was saddened by Ngoombujarra's death. "His laugh, warmth and humanity will live on with all who knew him," Jackman tweeted Tuesday.

Ngoombujarra also won AFI awards for "Blackfellas" in 1993 and the Australian television show, "The Circuit."

His other films included "Ned Kelly," "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" and "Kangaroo Jack."

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