A pop idol turned paramedic (81), a coach who reshaped footy (72)—farewell to two Aussie legends
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Two lives, two legacies—both deeply cherished by their fans and communities.
From the golden age of pop stardom to the gritty heart of rugby league, two beloved figures have left behind memories that span generations.
Their recent passings have sparked heartfelt tributes and reflections on the impact they made both on and off the public stage.
Bobby Sherman, the 1960s and 70s teen heartthrob known for his sky-blue eyes, shaggy mop of hair and squeaky-clean charm, has died at the age of 81.
His wife, Brigitte Poublon, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement later posted by family friend John Stamos via social media: ‘Bobby left this world holding my hand—just as he held up our life with love, courage, and unwavering grace.’
Earlier this year, Sherman had revealed he was battling stage 4 cancer.
For many fans growing up in the golden era of bubblegum pop, Bobby Sherman was more than just a voice on the radio—he was a poster pinned on bedroom walls, a lunchbox icon, and a reassuring symbol of innocence amid a chaotic world. As Tulsa World once described him: ‘While the rest of the world seemed jumbled up and threatening, Sherman’s smiling visage beamed from the bedroom walls of hundreds of thousands of teenage girls, a reassuring totem against the riots, drugs, war protests and free love that raged outside.’
He rocketed to fame with chart-toppers like ‘Little Woman’, ‘Julie, Do Ya Love Me’, ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’, and ‘La La La (If I Had You)’, landing four Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. His 1969 album Here Comes Bobby spent 48 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 10.
But Sherman wasn’t just a voice. He was a face of magazines like Tiger Beat and Sixteen. His image, complete with a fashionable choker and hair falling into his eyes, made him a staple of the teen dream machine. By the time TV Guide ranked the 25 Greatest Teen Idols, Sherman was sitting pretty at number 8.
His fame began on the mid-60s rock’n’roll show Shindig!, but he truly became a household name when he starred as logger Jeremy Bolt in the 1968–70 series Here Come the Brides. He also performed the show’s theme song, Seattle. Then came Getting Together in 1971—a spin-off of The Partridge Family—which made Sherman the first actor to headline three separate TV series before turning 30.
Despite the screaming fans and gold records, fame came with a cost. Sherman later admitted: ‘I’d film five days a week, get on a plane on a Friday night and go someplace for matinee and evening shows Saturday and Sunday, then get on a plane and go back to the studio to start filming again. It was so hectic for three years that I didn’t know what home was.’
Eventually, he made a drastic change.
In 1988, Sherman swapped stardom for service, becoming a certified emergency medical technician. He also trained police recruits in first aid and CPR with the Los Angeles police department—donating his salary in the process.
He once explained: ‘If I see an accident, I feel compelled to stop and give aid even if I’m in my own car. I carry equipment with me. And there’s not a better feeling than the one you get from helping somebody out. I would recommend it to everybody.’
His medical journey began at home, tending to scrapes and bloody noses while raising his sons with his first wife, Patti Carnel. This curiosity soon evolved into formal training with the Red Cross.
And he didn’t just teach—he acted. Sherman estimated that he helped five women deliver babies in makeshift settings, including one born on a sidewalk. As he later shared, after one birth, the mother asked his partner’s name: ‘When he told her Bobby, she named the baby Roberta. I was glad he didn’t tell her my name was Sherman.’
He also served as a reserve deputy for San Bernardino County, earning accolades including LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year in 1999, the FBI’s Exceptional Service Award and the Twice a Citizen Award from the Los Angeles County Reserve Foundation.
His quiet acts of heroism were later recognised in the US House of Representatives. In 2004, Representative Howard McKeon said: ‘Bobby is a stellar example of the statement “to protect and serve.” We can only say a simple and heartfelt thank you to Bobby Sherman and to all the men and women who courageously protect and serve the citizens of America.’
But long before the badges and CPR certifications, Sherman was a young man in the San Fernando Valley singing Ricky Nelson songs with his high-school band. He had been studying child psychology at a community college in 1964 when his girlfriend took him to a Hollywood party that changed his life.
He jumped on stage to sing—and caught the attention of Jane Fonda, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. They asked who his agent was, and days later, one called. That phone call landed him Shindig! and launched a pop culture phenomenon.
In 1998,shared: ‘I was brought up in a fairly strict family. Law and order were important. Respect your fellow neighbour, remember other people’s feelings. I was the kind of boy who didn’t do things just to be mischievous.’
Over the years, Sherman also appeared in films like Wild in the Streets, He Is My Brother, and Get Crazy. And though he stepped away from the spotlight, he briefly returned in the 1990s for the Teen Idols Tour, performing alongside fellow 60s stars Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Noone.
Beyond music and medicine, Sherman co-founded the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation in Ghana, dedicated to providing education, health, and welfare support to children in need.
In one of his most reflective interviews, Sherman shared: ‘A lot of times, people say, “Well, if you could go back and change things, what would you do?” And I don’t think I’d change a thing – except to maybe be a little bit more aware of it, because I probably could’ve relished the fun of it a little more. It was a lot of work. It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But it was the best of times.’
Bobby Sherman is survived by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, and his two sons, Christopher and Tyler.
‘Even in his final days, he stayed strong for me. That’s who Bobby was–brave, gentle, and full of light,’ Poublon wrote.
Many will remember the posters on bedroom walls, the catchy tunes on vinyl, and the charm that made Bobby Sherman a household name.
Take a moment to revisit the star who stole so many hearts—watch the tribute below.
Source: Youtube/Entertainment Tonight
While the world mourns the loss of a beloved pop idol, the rugby league community is also grieving the passing of one of its own.
A revered name in one of rugby league’s most recognisable dynasties has been lost, with the death of former Western Suburbs and Penrith winger Russell Mullins at the age of 72.
Mullins passed away earlier this week, and while his name may not have drawn the headlines like his brother or nephew, his legacy has left a permanent mark on the game.
Known affectionately as ‘Flight’, Russell carved his own path through the 1970s as a determined and fearless winger during some of the most turbulent years for the Magpies.
Western Suburbs released a statement on Tuesday confirming the sad news: ‘Russell passed away aged 72. He was a 113 first-grade game veteran for Wests Magpies. Our Club’s thoughts are with Russell’s family and friends during this difficult period.’
Though tributes have poured in across social media from fans and former teammates alike, Mullins’ significance to rugby league extended far beyond his on-field performances.
‘Excellent player, enjoyed watching him at Lidcombe Oval. Punched above his weight. One of my father’s favourites,’ one supporter recalled.
Another added: ‘RIP Russell, the best winger to not represent and a very funny man.’
For seven seasons, Mullins thrilled fans with his high-flying finishes and relentless pace, earning 113 first-grade caps for Wests and another 18 at Penrith. He made his debut in 1971—a rough year for the Magpies, who ended with the wooden spoon—but quickly proved he was more than up for the challenge.
By 1973, he had become the club’s leading try-scorer. He repeated that achievement the following year with an impressive 15 tries as Wests surged to the preliminary final. That clash, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, was particularly memorable—Russell faced off against his own brother, Bill Mullins, on opposite wings. Though Easts triumphed 25–2, it remains one of rugby league’s most iconic sibling showdowns.
The Mullins name has spanned four decades and three generations in the sport. Russell was the younger brother of Eastern Suburbs legend Bill Mullins, who won premierships in 1974 and 1975 and scored 104 tries in 190 first-grade appearances. Bill’s son, Brett Mullins, continued the family tradition into the 1990s and 2000s with a celebrated career for Canberra and the Roosters, tallying 122 tries across 209 matches. Brett was also part of the Roosters’ 2002 premiership-winning team.
Even the next generation made their mark—Brett’s son, Bradley, suited up for the Roosters’ Holden Cup squad in 2015 and 2016, sharing the field with future NRL stars like Joseph Manu and Victor Radley.
Russell’s own club career reflected his resilience. He topped Wests’ try-scoring tally again in 1975 and 1976, even as the team missed finals contention. By the end of 1977, he ranked as the sixth-highest try-scorer in Magpies history. A final stint with Penrith followed, though the Panthers struggled during his two-year tenure before he retired in 1979.
Before rugby league became his passion, Russell was a standout junior athlete. Born and raised in Yagoona, he excelled in sprinting and competed at track meets across Sydney. He played soccer and represented the Hume Zone in south-west Sydney, before joining Bankstown Sports and switching to league. By 15, he was already pegged as a player to watch.
In retirement, he remained a quiet but constant figure in the game. He frequently gave his time to junior sport, mentored up-and-coming players, and supported the Wests Archive with interviews and historical contributions.
Russell Mullins may not have donned the representative jersey like others in his family, but his quiet strength, consistency and unwavering commitment made him a fan favourite—and a central figure in one of rugby league’s great family stories.
Two very different lives—one in the spotlight of pop stardom, the other on the rugby league field—have now come to a close, but both left behind a legacy of dedication, heart, and service.
Whether through a song that defined your youth or a try that lit up the SCG, Bobby Sherman and Russell Mullins gave their all to their craft and their communities.
Their stories remind us how deeply someone can touch others—long after the applause fades or the final whistle blows.
In a previous story, we looked at the life of a self-made Aussie tycoon who built a billion-dollar empire while raising 10 children—proof that dedication and resilience can shape an extraordinary legacy.
For many seniors reflecting on their own life’s work, stories like his and Russell Mullins’ remind us that success comes in many forms, whether on the field or in the boardroom.
If you’re inspired by tales of perseverance and family pride, it’s well worth a read.
Read more: Tycoon dies at 80 after building billion-dollar empire and raising 10 children
From the golden age of pop stardom to the gritty heart of rugby league, two beloved figures have left behind memories that span generations.
Their recent passings have sparked heartfelt tributes and reflections on the impact they made both on and off the public stage.
Bobby Sherman, the 1960s and 70s teen heartthrob known for his sky-blue eyes, shaggy mop of hair and squeaky-clean charm, has died at the age of 81.
His wife, Brigitte Poublon, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement later posted by family friend John Stamos via social media: ‘Bobby left this world holding my hand—just as he held up our life with love, courage, and unwavering grace.’
Earlier this year, Sherman had revealed he was battling stage 4 cancer.
Bobby Sherman dies at 81 after cancer battle. Image source: Youtube/ABC7
For many fans growing up in the golden era of bubblegum pop, Bobby Sherman was more than just a voice on the radio—he was a poster pinned on bedroom walls, a lunchbox icon, and a reassuring symbol of innocence amid a chaotic world. As Tulsa World once described him: ‘While the rest of the world seemed jumbled up and threatening, Sherman’s smiling visage beamed from the bedroom walls of hundreds of thousands of teenage girls, a reassuring totem against the riots, drugs, war protests and free love that raged outside.’
He rocketed to fame with chart-toppers like ‘Little Woman’, ‘Julie, Do Ya Love Me’, ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’, and ‘La La La (If I Had You)’, landing four Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. His 1969 album Here Comes Bobby spent 48 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 10.
But Sherman wasn’t just a voice. He was a face of magazines like Tiger Beat and Sixteen. His image, complete with a fashionable choker and hair falling into his eyes, made him a staple of the teen dream machine. By the time TV Guide ranked the 25 Greatest Teen Idols, Sherman was sitting pretty at number 8.
His fame began on the mid-60s rock’n’roll show Shindig!, but he truly became a household name when he starred as logger Jeremy Bolt in the 1968–70 series Here Come the Brides. He also performed the show’s theme song, Seattle. Then came Getting Together in 1971—a spin-off of The Partridge Family—which made Sherman the first actor to headline three separate TV series before turning 30.
Despite the screaming fans and gold records, fame came with a cost. Sherman later admitted: ‘I’d film five days a week, get on a plane on a Friday night and go someplace for matinee and evening shows Saturday and Sunday, then get on a plane and go back to the studio to start filming again. It was so hectic for three years that I didn’t know what home was.’
Eventually, he made a drastic change.
In 1988, Sherman swapped stardom for service, becoming a certified emergency medical technician. He also trained police recruits in first aid and CPR with the Los Angeles police department—donating his salary in the process.
He once explained: ‘If I see an accident, I feel compelled to stop and give aid even if I’m in my own car. I carry equipment with me. And there’s not a better feeling than the one you get from helping somebody out. I would recommend it to everybody.’
His medical journey began at home, tending to scrapes and bloody noses while raising his sons with his first wife, Patti Carnel. This curiosity soon evolved into formal training with the Red Cross.
And he didn’t just teach—he acted. Sherman estimated that he helped five women deliver babies in makeshift settings, including one born on a sidewalk. As he later shared, after one birth, the mother asked his partner’s name: ‘When he told her Bobby, she named the baby Roberta. I was glad he didn’t tell her my name was Sherman.’
He also served as a reserve deputy for San Bernardino County, earning accolades including LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year in 1999, the FBI’s Exceptional Service Award and the Twice a Citizen Award from the Los Angeles County Reserve Foundation.
His quiet acts of heroism were later recognised in the US House of Representatives. In 2004, Representative Howard McKeon said: ‘Bobby is a stellar example of the statement “to protect and serve.” We can only say a simple and heartfelt thank you to Bobby Sherman and to all the men and women who courageously protect and serve the citizens of America.’
But long before the badges and CPR certifications, Sherman was a young man in the San Fernando Valley singing Ricky Nelson songs with his high-school band. He had been studying child psychology at a community college in 1964 when his girlfriend took him to a Hollywood party that changed his life.
He jumped on stage to sing—and caught the attention of Jane Fonda, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. They asked who his agent was, and days later, one called. That phone call landed him Shindig! and launched a pop culture phenomenon.
In 1998,shared: ‘I was brought up in a fairly strict family. Law and order were important. Respect your fellow neighbour, remember other people’s feelings. I was the kind of boy who didn’t do things just to be mischievous.’
Over the years, Sherman also appeared in films like Wild in the Streets, He Is My Brother, and Get Crazy. And though he stepped away from the spotlight, he briefly returned in the 1990s for the Teen Idols Tour, performing alongside fellow 60s stars Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Noone.
Beyond music and medicine, Sherman co-founded the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation in Ghana, dedicated to providing education, health, and welfare support to children in need.
In one of his most reflective interviews, Sherman shared: ‘A lot of times, people say, “Well, if you could go back and change things, what would you do?” And I don’t think I’d change a thing – except to maybe be a little bit more aware of it, because I probably could’ve relished the fun of it a little more. It was a lot of work. It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But it was the best of times.’
Bobby Sherman is survived by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, and his two sons, Christopher and Tyler.
‘Even in his final days, he stayed strong for me. That’s who Bobby was–brave, gentle, and full of light,’ Poublon wrote.
Many will remember the posters on bedroom walls, the catchy tunes on vinyl, and the charm that made Bobby Sherman a household name.
Take a moment to revisit the star who stole so many hearts—watch the tribute below.
Source: Youtube/Entertainment Tonight
While the world mourns the loss of a beloved pop idol, the rugby league community is also grieving the passing of one of its own.
A revered name in one of rugby league’s most recognisable dynasties has been lost, with the death of former Western Suburbs and Penrith winger Russell Mullins at the age of 72.
Mullins passed away earlier this week, and while his name may not have drawn the headlines like his brother or nephew, his legacy has left a permanent mark on the game.
Known affectionately as ‘Flight’, Russell carved his own path through the 1970s as a determined and fearless winger during some of the most turbulent years for the Magpies.
Russell Mullins, Magpies great, dies at 72. Image source: Instagram/westernsuburbsmagpies
Western Suburbs released a statement on Tuesday confirming the sad news: ‘Russell passed away aged 72. He was a 113 first-grade game veteran for Wests Magpies. Our Club’s thoughts are with Russell’s family and friends during this difficult period.’
Though tributes have poured in across social media from fans and former teammates alike, Mullins’ significance to rugby league extended far beyond his on-field performances.
‘Excellent player, enjoyed watching him at Lidcombe Oval. Punched above his weight. One of my father’s favourites,’ one supporter recalled.
Another added: ‘RIP Russell, the best winger to not represent and a very funny man.’
For seven seasons, Mullins thrilled fans with his high-flying finishes and relentless pace, earning 113 first-grade caps for Wests and another 18 at Penrith. He made his debut in 1971—a rough year for the Magpies, who ended with the wooden spoon—but quickly proved he was more than up for the challenge.
By 1973, he had become the club’s leading try-scorer. He repeated that achievement the following year with an impressive 15 tries as Wests surged to the preliminary final. That clash, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, was particularly memorable—Russell faced off against his own brother, Bill Mullins, on opposite wings. Though Easts triumphed 25–2, it remains one of rugby league’s most iconic sibling showdowns.
The Mullins name has spanned four decades and three generations in the sport. Russell was the younger brother of Eastern Suburbs legend Bill Mullins, who won premierships in 1974 and 1975 and scored 104 tries in 190 first-grade appearances. Bill’s son, Brett Mullins, continued the family tradition into the 1990s and 2000s with a celebrated career for Canberra and the Roosters, tallying 122 tries across 209 matches. Brett was also part of the Roosters’ 2002 premiership-winning team.
Even the next generation made their mark—Brett’s son, Bradley, suited up for the Roosters’ Holden Cup squad in 2015 and 2016, sharing the field with future NRL stars like Joseph Manu and Victor Radley.
Russell’s own club career reflected his resilience. He topped Wests’ try-scoring tally again in 1975 and 1976, even as the team missed finals contention. By the end of 1977, he ranked as the sixth-highest try-scorer in Magpies history. A final stint with Penrith followed, though the Panthers struggled during his two-year tenure before he retired in 1979.
Before rugby league became his passion, Russell was a standout junior athlete. Born and raised in Yagoona, he excelled in sprinting and competed at track meets across Sydney. He played soccer and represented the Hume Zone in south-west Sydney, before joining Bankstown Sports and switching to league. By 15, he was already pegged as a player to watch.
In retirement, he remained a quiet but constant figure in the game. He frequently gave his time to junior sport, mentored up-and-coming players, and supported the Wests Archive with interviews and historical contributions.
Russell Mullins may not have donned the representative jersey like others in his family, but his quiet strength, consistency and unwavering commitment made him a fan favourite—and a central figure in one of rugby league’s great family stories.
Two very different lives—one in the spotlight of pop stardom, the other on the rugby league field—have now come to a close, but both left behind a legacy of dedication, heart, and service.
Whether through a song that defined your youth or a try that lit up the SCG, Bobby Sherman and Russell Mullins gave their all to their craft and their communities.
Their stories remind us how deeply someone can touch others—long after the applause fades or the final whistle blows.
In a previous story, we looked at the life of a self-made Aussie tycoon who built a billion-dollar empire while raising 10 children—proof that dedication and resilience can shape an extraordinary legacy.
For many seniors reflecting on their own life’s work, stories like his and Russell Mullins’ remind us that success comes in many forms, whether on the field or in the boardroom.
If you’re inspired by tales of perseverance and family pride, it’s well worth a read.
Read more: Tycoon dies at 80 after building billion-dollar empire and raising 10 children
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Vale Russell 
