Remember Mother and Son? One of its brightest stars (81) has said goodbye
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The laughter he brought into Aussie living rooms masked the slow fade happening behind the scenes.
Henri Szeps was once the quick-witted big brother on Mother and Son—a role that defined a generation of Australian comedy.
Now, the screen has gone dark for one of Australia’s most enduring talents.
The veteran actor died aged 81 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by loved ones in a residential care facility he had moved into in 2023.
Henri Szeps’s career stretched across six decades, but his most iconic role was as Robert Beare in the ABC classic Mother and Son, which debuted in 1984.
His portrayal of the selfish, cheeky elder sibling opposite Garry McDonald and Ruth Cracknell earned him a lasting place in Australia’s comedic legacy.
But before he became a household name, Szeps had already built a solid foundation in stage and screen.
Born in Switzerland in 1943 to Polish parents, he arrived in Australia in the early 1950s as part of the post-war migration wave.
His family settled in Sydney, where he found his calling at the Ensemble Theatre on the city’s north shore.
From there, he took on roles in now-classic Australian TV series such as Homicide (1964–1977) and Skippy (1968–1970), showcasing his versatility.
A pivotal moment came in 1968 when he starred in The Boys in the Band—a controversial and groundbreaking American play that gained attention for its frank portrayal of homosexuality.
It was backstage during that production where Szeps met fellow actor Mary Ann Severne, who would become his wife in 1969.
The pair shared a life in theatre and raised two sons, Josh and Amos.
Szeps later shocked viewers with a bold turn in Channel 10’s risqué soap Number 96 in the 1970s, which stirred headlines for its nudity and language.
As his career matured, he delivered critically praised performances, including his role as Prime Minister Harold Holt in the 1987 miniseries Vietnam by Kennedy Miller.
He also appeared in beloved shows like Carson’s Law, A Country Practice, Rafferty’s Rules, G.P., and All Saints.
In 2021, Szeps was diagnosed with early onset dementia
His son Josh, a broadcaster, shared the family's journey on the ABC documentary Just Between Us.
‘Dad has dementia, technically Alzheimer’s,’ Josh said in the program.
‘For us, it’s about understanding how to support him and, most of all, support mum in her support of him, so that we can sustain a normal life for all of us as long as humanly as possible.’
Henri himself addressed the condition candidly, saying, ‘I don’t know…I refuse to hide behind it, it’s there. All I can say is, all’s well that ends well.’
He continued to laugh and joke through his decline, with Josh describing him as ‘a barrel of laughs’ who ‘makes fun of himself constantly’.
‘I still think I’m right on the ball,’ Henri quipped in the documentary, even as his memory faded.
He encouraged others to remain positive, saying, ‘Take it as it is and love it.’
Henri Szeps is survived by his wife Mary Ann Severne, and their sons Josh and Amos.
Losing someone you love to dementia is never just one moment—it’s a long journey of shifting memories, changing roles, and holding onto connection where you can.
Henri Szeps faced that journey with humour and grace, but for many families, one question lingers quietly in the background.
If someone you care about has just been diagnosed, this next story might help you understand what could lie ahead.
Read more: How long can you really live after a dementia diagnosis? The shocking truth revealed
Vale Henri Szeps—your humour and heart lit up the stage, and your memory lives on.
Henri Szeps was once the quick-witted big brother on Mother and Son—a role that defined a generation of Australian comedy.
Now, the screen has gone dark for one of Australia’s most enduring talents.
The veteran actor died aged 81 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by loved ones in a residential care facility he had moved into in 2023.
Henri Szeps’s career stretched across six decades, but his most iconic role was as Robert Beare in the ABC classic Mother and Son, which debuted in 1984.
His portrayal of the selfish, cheeky elder sibling opposite Garry McDonald and Ruth Cracknell earned him a lasting place in Australia’s comedic legacy.
Henri Szeps dies at 81. Image source: Instagram/simonebuchanan11
But before he became a household name, Szeps had already built a solid foundation in stage and screen.
Born in Switzerland in 1943 to Polish parents, he arrived in Australia in the early 1950s as part of the post-war migration wave.
His family settled in Sydney, where he found his calling at the Ensemble Theatre on the city’s north shore.
From there, he took on roles in now-classic Australian TV series such as Homicide (1964–1977) and Skippy (1968–1970), showcasing his versatility.
A pivotal moment came in 1968 when he starred in The Boys in the Band—a controversial and groundbreaking American play that gained attention for its frank portrayal of homosexuality.
It was backstage during that production where Szeps met fellow actor Mary Ann Severne, who would become his wife in 1969.
The pair shared a life in theatre and raised two sons, Josh and Amos.
Szeps later shocked viewers with a bold turn in Channel 10’s risqué soap Number 96 in the 1970s, which stirred headlines for its nudity and language.
As his career matured, he delivered critically praised performances, including his role as Prime Minister Harold Holt in the 1987 miniseries Vietnam by Kennedy Miller.
He also appeared in beloved shows like Carson’s Law, A Country Practice, Rafferty’s Rules, G.P., and All Saints.
In 2021, Szeps was diagnosed with early onset dementia
His son Josh, a broadcaster, shared the family's journey on the ABC documentary Just Between Us.
‘Dad has dementia, technically Alzheimer’s,’ Josh said in the program.
‘For us, it’s about understanding how to support him and, most of all, support mum in her support of him, so that we can sustain a normal life for all of us as long as humanly as possible.’
Henri himself addressed the condition candidly, saying, ‘I don’t know…I refuse to hide behind it, it’s there. All I can say is, all’s well that ends well.’
He continued to laugh and joke through his decline, with Josh describing him as ‘a barrel of laughs’ who ‘makes fun of himself constantly’.
‘I still think I’m right on the ball,’ Henri quipped in the documentary, even as his memory faded.
He encouraged others to remain positive, saying, ‘Take it as it is and love it.’
Henri Szeps is survived by his wife Mary Ann Severne, and their sons Josh and Amos.
Losing someone you love to dementia is never just one moment—it’s a long journey of shifting memories, changing roles, and holding onto connection where you can.
Henri Szeps faced that journey with humour and grace, but for many families, one question lingers quietly in the background.
If someone you care about has just been diagnosed, this next story might help you understand what could lie ahead.
Read more: How long can you really live after a dementia diagnosis? The shocking truth revealed
Vale Henri Szeps—your humour and heart lit up the stage, and your memory lives on.
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