Celebrities have led an avalanche of tributes to radio legend John Laws after his death at age 90.
Actor Russell Crowe, who owned a property in the heritage-listed Finger Wharf at Wooloomooloo on Sydney Harbour next to one owned by Laws, was one of the first to offer his condolences.
‘John Laws was my neighbour for 23 years. He was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend,’ Crowe said on Twitter.
‘I am deeply saddened by his passing, however, I am buoyed in the sure and certain knowledge that he led a magnificent life of achievement and adventure… and he lived every moment.
‘He worked hard, played harder and loved completely. A legend, in the very best, most Australian sense of the word. I loved him and I’ll never forget him.’
Fellow radio icon Kyle Sandilands on Sunday called Laws ‘one of the true originals’.
Actor Russell Crowe was one of the first to offer his condolences. Pictured with John Laws
‘John Laws was my neighbour for 23 years. He was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend,’ Crowe said
‘You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required,’ he said on Twitter.
‘I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won’t be the same without him.’
Channel Nine star Richard Wilkins shared on Instagram: ‘What a career. What a legend. It was always such a treat to spend time with you Lawsie.
‘Such an inspiration to us young whippersnappers, and what fun! Those Golden Tonsils remain the Gold Standard …total respect… and love to all. R.I.P. Sir.’
Radio star Mitch Churi likewise offered a tribute to the broadcaster.
‘Ring Pykes nursery… R.I.P John Laws,’ he wrote, alongside a photo of the pair together.
Television host Mike Goldman wrote on Instagram: ‘”Hello World this is John Laws”.’ The man with the golden microphone. What an inspiration he was to so many.
‘I was lucky enough to see him every day working at radio 2SM for a year. He was a straight shooter who didn’t suffer fools.
Channel Nine star Richard Wilkins shared on Instagram: ‘What a career. What a legend. It was always such a treat to spend time with you Lawsie.’ Pictured with Laws
Radio star Mitch Churi (right) likewise offered a tribute to the broadcaster
Television host Mike Goldman (left) wrote on Instagram: ‘The man with the golden microphone. What an inspiration he was to so many’
‘A caring man who always said hi to everyone. Great advice and a lot of fun. My dad worked with him for many years and they had great respect for each other. There will only ever be one Lawsy. RIP.’
Reporter Angelia Bishop shared a lengthy, moving tribute on Instagram.
‘His mellifluous voice earned him the nickname “Golden Tonsils” – appropriate too because they earned him a fortune,’ she wrote.
‘He retired one year and one day ago after a career spanning almost 71 years. He dabbled in many things – he wrote poetry, books, sang and acted – even appearing in an episode of “Skippy”.
‘And he could sell anything, from Valvoline (you know what I mean) to Oral B (this man is a dentist, so we can’t show you his face).’
She continued: ‘But as a radio broadcaster he was without equal.
‘John Laws lost his wife Caroline “The Princess” in 2020 and friends say he missed her terribly every day.
He started each radio show by saying “Hello World’” He ended each show by asking his listeners to “be kind to each other”, words to live by as we say “vale”.’
Fellow radio icon Kyle Sandilands (pictured) on Sunday called Laws ‘one of the true originals’
‘You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required,’ he said on Twitter
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Laws was an iconic voice ‘and so much more’.
‘Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight, digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard,’ Mr Albanese said on X.
‘John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer – and wonderful company off-air. My condolences to his loved ones and to all who benefited from his wisdom and guidance.’
Regarded as one of Australia’s most powerful talkback hosts, Laws’ career spanned seven decades and he rose to become one of the country’s most well known and highest paid media personalities.
He is understood to have been in end-of-life care in recent months and he leaves behind five children.
His wife Caroline, to whom he was married for more than four decades and called his ‘princess’, died from cancer in 2020.
The broadcaster’s death is one year on, almost to the day, from his retirement.
Laws made his announcement live on-air on November 8 last year, after reading a letter from a listener who was keen to thank him for years of entertainment.
Regarded as one of Australia’s most powerful talkback hosts, Laws’ career spanned seven decades and he rose to become one of the country’s most well known and highest paid media personalities
‘You’re not going to be hearing it for long, mate, I think it’s time for a rest, is what I think,’ he said.
‘I’ve done it for a very, very, very, very long time. 70 years, is it long enough? It’s long enough.’
Laws began his career in AM radio back in 1953 at 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname ‘The Golden Tonsils’.
After four years at 3BO, he moved to metro broadcaster 2UE where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.
He returned to 2UE for five years from 1979 and then again in 1988, which marked a particularly successful stint in which he dominated the airwaves and continuously took out the number one slot in Sydney.
Laws stepped away from radio for four years in 2007 and returned to the air on 2SM in 2011 with The John Laws Morning Show.
In 2022, he took bouts of leave from his radio gig after suffering from respiratory infections.
The following year, after seeking medical care for a blocked ear, his health rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for three weeks.
He had contracted pneumonia, but later revealed he was on the mend and returned to the station in September 2023.
In addition to radio, Laws was perhaps most well known for his iconic Valvoline motor oil advertisements and its famous slogan ‘Valvoline, you know what I mean’.
Laws often maintained he was an entertainer and salesman rather than a journalist, for which he had no formal training.
