Sydney‑based performer Brent Thorpe sadly passed away on 6 January 2026 at age 61, with the news shared by his husband, Travis de Jonk, in a heartfelt social media post on 2 February.
What you’ll learn in this article:
- Who Brent Thorpe was and why he mattered to queer Australia
- His connection to Canberra’s SpringOut Festival
- Tributes pouring in from the community
- How to honour his legacy
Estimated read time: 2 minutes
Brent Thorpe – often affectionately known as “Daddy” from his signature stage show – was a towering presence in Sydney’s queer performance world, taking his work from Dublin and Berlin to Barcelona and home to stages across the Harbour City.
He was passionate, effervescent and unapologetically authentic, blending personal storytelling with political bite in shows like Daddy and Daddy, Don’t Drop The Soap!, which celebrated ageing disgracefully while calling out the double standards still faced by queer lives.
Canberra audiences were lucky to catch Thorpe up close during the 2025 SpringOut Festival, when he brought Daddy to the Street Theatre on 22 November.
Directed by Adam Cook and featuring “Daddy’s Boys” Travis de Jonk and Jack Mitsch, the 60‑minute show was billed as a “wild ride” about life as a fit, dangerous 62‑year‑old committed to podium dancing in a jockstrap – no matter what the right‑wing conservatives might think.
SpringOut organisers later described Thorpe as a “beloved brother in the queer community”, with the festival family expressing deep sadness at his sudden passing.
Thorpe’s reach went well beyond one festival. In Sydney, he became a familiar and cherished face, hosting the past two Sydney Leather Titles ceremonies at Paddo RSL, including his iconic 2024 opening number Brown Caviar, which the event called “one of the most hilarious performances ever to grace our stage”.
Venues like Palms on Oxford remembered him as a “shining beacon of light” whose humour, intellect, compassion and love for community would be deeply missed. A memorial is planned at the venue, with details to follow.
Tributes have poured in from performers, producers and friends. Drag artist Felicity Frockaccino wrote that Thorpe was “a huge inspiration to so many, including myself”, while Sydney Leather Titles said his death had come as “a profound shock” and urged the community to “rest in power”.
Thorpe’s husband Travis de Jonk described him as a “beloved son, brother, uncle” and “deeply loved elder, champion and friend within the gay community”, whose laughter, courage and connection touched everyone around him.
Brent was considered by many a comedy genius and theatrical powerhouse, and was truly one of a kind – a diamond in the scruff. His work not only entertained but also challenged and connected, leaving queer Australia richer for his presence.
