His passing was publicly announced through a social media post by fellow Australian writer Craig Munro.

Lee was born in Melbourne in 1951 and became one of the country’s most renowned storytellers, acclaimed for his collaborations with New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion and Nicole Kidman.

His death was confirmed in a social media statement by fellow Australian writer Craig Munro.

‘My friend, the novelist and screenwriter Gerard Lee, died last night while undergoing treatment for liver cancer,’ Munro began.

‘We first met as teenage cadet journalists in Brisbane, and I later published five of his books at UQP, including the screenplay for Jane Campion’s first feature film Sweetie.

‘Lee was my author for many years, he was also one of my oldest and most steadfast friends, whose irrepressible humour and larrikin spirit made him great company.’ 

The Australian film industry is in mourning following the death of screenwriter Gerard Lee

Lee studied at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School in 1981 alongside future filmmaker Jane Campion, where the pair began their professional relationship, which would last for decades. 

The celebrated screenwriter’s career spanned close to four decades, during which he worked on many acclaimed productions. 

In 1989, he co-wrote the Australian black comedy Sweetie with Jane Campion, which starred Neighbours actress Genevieve Lemon.

Lee was also a filmmaker, and in 1995 he wrote and directed the acclaimed Aussie comedy All Men Are Liars, starring Toni Pearen and John Jarratt. 

With Campion, in 2013 he co-created and wrote for the critically acclaimed New Zealand TV thriller series Top of the Lake, which starred Nicole Kidman, Elisabeth Moss and David Wenham.

His work on the series saw him nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special at the 2013 Emmy Awards.

Lee’s final work was adapting Tim Winton’s play Breath to the screen in 2017, in a film of the same name which starred Simon Baker. 

Heartbroken friends and fans took to social media to pay tribute to Lee.

Lee was born in Melbourne in 1951 and became one of the country’s most renowned storytellers. Pictured with Nicole Kidman and Jane Campion in 2017

‘He was a divine man. So talented and so witty. What a loss,’ wrote Australian media academic Catharine Lumby. 

‘My buddy and best friend. So sad, but he was in pain,’ added fellow Australian screenwriter Marc Rosenberg.

‘He’s a legend. Sad to hear this,’ arts journalist Phil Brown offered.

‘Very sorry to hear this. I have fond memories of his opening night premiere at the SFF. A fine writer,’ film critic Paul Byrnes chimed in. 

Lee also wrote several popular fiction and non-fiction books, including the acclaimed 1990 novel Troppo Man.