Australian actor and martial arts expert Richard Norton died after using unapproved peptide injections, with a coroner ruling that the treatment “triggered” the fatal chain of events.
Norton built a wide-ranging career in film and television as an actor, stunt performer and martial arts instructor. He also trained major Hollywood stars, including Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie and Ben Affleck.
The 75-year-old died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30 last year after injecting himself with peptides, collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest.
Coroner David Ryan determined that Norton’s death followed complications linked to CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, two unapproved peptide products prescribed by a doctor.
The two peptides are designed to work together by encouraging the body to produce more growth hormone naturally.
They are often promoted for benefits including muscle development, faster exercise recovery, improved sleep, fat loss, tissue healing and increased collagen production.
Norton’s case is believed to be the first reported death in Australia associated with the use of unapproved peptides.
A coroner ruled that Richard Norton’s (pictured) death was “triggered by” the use of unapproved injectable peptides
The 75-year-old martial arts specialist enjoyed a successful career as an actor, stuntman and instructor, and trained A-list stars including Scarlett Johansson (pictured)
Norton’s doctor prescribed the peptide treatment to address fatigue, slower physical recovery, shoulder pain and a decline in lean muscle mass.
“Norton had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner,” Mr Ryan stated in findings released on Wednesday.
According to the coroner’s report, Norton contacted Dr Jerzy Muchnicki after developing an “interest in peptide therapy”.
Norton had asthma and osteoarthritis and had previously undergone reconstruction surgery on both shoulders. He told Dr Muchnicki that he had already been prescribed peptides by another practitioner.
“Dr Muchnicki discussed in detail what was involved with peptide therapy, including the experimental nature of the treatment,” the coroner wrote.
“They also discussed the potential risks and the lack of other alternative treatment options currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).”
“Dr Muchnicki also arranged a series of blood tests to confirm baseline health parameters and assess for any contraindications or underlying conditions that may influence treatment decisions.”
Norton signed an “Informed Consent Form for Peptide Therapy” before receiving prescriptions for injectable CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, neither of which had been approved for this use.
Coroner David Ryan found that Norton collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after injecting the unapproved peptide products CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin
The peptides were prescribed after Norton, 75, expressed an “interest in peptide therapy” for fatigue, limited physical recovery, shoulder pain and lost lean muscle mass (Norton pictured with Margot Robbie)
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A licensed compounding pharmacy in Queensland prepared the peptide treatment for Norton.
Days before his death, Norton told Dr Muchnicki that the peptide therapy had improved his symptoms and that he was ‘feeling good’.
However, the coronial inquest found Norton had told a nurse at Dr Muchnicki’s clinic that he had been administering double the prescribed dose.
‘The nurse advised Richard that from the following week he ought to only administer the prescribed dose,’ the coronial report stated.
Just hours after Norton’s conversation with the nurse, he injected a dose of CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin and became unresponsive.
Mr Ryan recommended the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) review the benefits and safety risks of peptides such as CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin.
He urged the body to ‘consider whether further restrictions ought to be imposed on their use’.
The TGA noted there were numerous existing pathways that allow medical practitioners to access unapproved peptides.
The coronial report also found Norton had told a nurse at his doctor’s clinic that he had been administering double the prescribed dose (Norton pictured with Liam Neeson)
‘TGA continues to warn consumers about the risks of unapproved peptides, which have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness,’ the TGA said in a statement following the coronial report.
Norton grew up in Sydney and began studying judo at the age of 11. He earned a black belt in karate by 17.
In 1970, he was hired as the chief instructor at Bob Jones’ Martial Arts studio in Melbourne.
He went on to have a successful career as a martial arts instructor, personal security guard and fight trainer for major Hollywood stars.
Norton married his wife Judy, a model and Sale of the Century star, in 1993.
He also appeared as a bodyguard in ABBA’s iconic 1977 film ABBA: The Movie which was filmed in Australia.
Norton is also known for his appearances in Hong Kong action films including The Magic Crystal, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars and City Hunter.
He most recently worked as a fight co-ordinator in Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Suicide Squad and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
The martial arts expert also trained Liam Neeson on the film Backlight as well as Charlie Hunnam and Ben Affleck in Hawaii on the film Triple Frontier.