Kimberley Cooper — who played Gypsy Nash on the soap between 1998 and 2001 — recalled fond memories she and Unwin made on the show, including the time they appeared on the cover of TV Week magazine together many moons ago.
“My first tv week cover was with you. We had years of laughter, be it giggles on set trying to get through scenes as lovers or doubled over belly laughs at the pubs after work,” Cooper shared on Instagram. “I will be sad for now, but I promise to tell stories of great joy about our times together. You forever hold a special place in my heart. Love you Onion.”
Dan Bennett, a former script producer on the Aussie soap, took to Twitter to express his sorrow over the actor’s tragic death.
“Devastated to hear this news. Ben was an utterly lovely guy,” Bennett tweeted on Tuesday. “I’m so sad he felt there was no other way for him. Rest in peace, mate.”
On Instagram, actress Kristy Wright shared an emotional message that honoured her long friendship with Unwin.
“I’m completely lost for words… heartbroken and shattered,” she began the message, which included a collection of photos spanning their friendship.
“In 1992 I met you for the first time and immediately fell into a crazy school girl crush. Watching you sing Tom Jones ‘If I only knew’ in your tight white pants is one of my favorite memories of you and just the first of so many. We were kids with the same dream and pretty quickly we became friends… my crush disappeared but my love for you was just beginning. Years later we both found ourselves working on that little show @homeandaway and our friendship grew deeper. You harassed the writers to create a love story between our characters and when it finally happened we laughed our way through it and were just so happy to have the chance to work so closely with each other.”
She continued, “I sit here, with tears, as I look through old photos of us on our magical journey into adulthood. I feel privileged to have known you the way I did. I saw into your beautiful soul and you saw me.. we were both big on maintaining eye contact… you always made me feel beautiful and you made me laugh… every day and anywhere I was with you. You were one of the most talented people I know, one of the kindest, smartest and funniest. You were a rock star. I am hearing your laugh now as I write this. We haven’t spoken in a few years and I can not express in this moment how sorry I am for that… I can’t believe you’re not looking at the same sky as me right now.”
“I miss you now that I know I will never see you again… I will forever regret not reaching out more… Beautiful Benny, Unners, Dingers… I’m so sorry. I love you. RIP my old friend.. see you on the next magical journey. Love, Bubs.”
In addition, Home and Away‘s official Instagram page remembered the late star and his time on the popular TV series.
“The cast and crew of Home and Away are saddened to hear the passing of Ben Unwin,” a the message began. “Ben played the character Jesse McGregor and joined the cast in 1996 – 2000, returning to Summer Bay in 2002 – 2005. We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ben.”
“I just woke up to the tragic news of Ben’s passing, my heart goes out to his family,” Ada Nicodemou told 9Honey Celebrity.
Nicodemou’s character Leah Patterson-Baker had a brief relationship with Unwin’s character Jesse McGregor during the show.
Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene Roberts on Home and Away, told 9Honey Celebrity, “I’m saddened to hear of Ben’s passing. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Unwin appeared on Home and Away from 1996–2000 and then returned in 2002 until 2005.
The actor died last week at the age of 41 — just a day short of his 42nd birthday.
“Police attended Minyon Falls, Whian Whian, responding to a concern for welfare,” Police Media told 9Honey Celebrity in a statement on Tuesday, though they didn’t reveal a cause of death. “The body of a 41-year-old man was located. The death has not been treated as suspicious.”
Unwin’s Home and Away role scored him a Logies nomination for Most Popular New Talent in 1997, and in 1999 he received nominations for Best Actor and Sexiest Male from the Inside Soap Awards.
