Heartbroken Paul Hogan on the death of 'best friend' John Cornell

Heartbroken Paul Hogan on the death of 'best friend' John Cornell
Heartbroken Paul Hogan on the death of 'best friend' John Cornell

Paul Hogan has spoken out about the death of his longtime best friend John Cornell.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph by phone from his Los Angeles mansion, the emotional 81-year-old reflected on his friendship with Cornell.

'I wish everyone could have a friend like that,' he told the publication.

Heartbroken: Paul Hogan spoke out about the death of his longtime best friend John Cornell on Saturday

Heartbroken: Paul Hogan spoke out about the death of his longtime best friend John Cornell on Saturday

'We were both larrikins, we both never took life too seriously,' he added.  

Cornell died aged 80 this week following a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

He's best known for discovering Hogan while working as a producer on TV show A Current Affair in 1971, before later becoming the legendary Australian actor's manager.

He and Hogan also produced Crocodile Dundee together in 1986, which remains the most profitable Australian film of all time.  

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he died at his home in Byron Bay surrounded by his wife Delvene Delaney, his eldest daughter Melissa, and his youngest daughter Liana on the phone from the UK.

Farewell: Cornell, who was Hogan's best friend and former manager, died aged 80 this week (pictured together on The Paul Hogan Show)

Farewell: Cornell, who was Hogan's best friend and former manager, died aged 80 this week (pictured together on The Paul Hogan Show)

'A classic Australian character, John Cornell made the lives he touched much richer, not only through donations, but also through his generosity of spirit, humour, humility and honour,' his family said in a statement. 

'A true egalitarian, John sought equity and equality, and fought for a fair go.'  

Cornell was fundamental to the establishment of World Series Cricket, which created the one-day form of the game.

He worked closely with media mogul Kerry Packer to begin the rebel competition, which sent shockwaves through the cricket establishment.

Cornell is pictured with his wife Delvene Delaney in Sydney in 2006

Cornell is pictured with his wife Delvene Delaney in Sydney in 2006

The pair launched daring raids to sign the best players in the world and Cornell played a huge role in the marketing of the breakaway comp as it rose from early struggles to become a landmark in Australia’s sporting history. 

Cornell got his start in the 1960s as a journalist for The Daily News in Perth.

He later became a producer on Nine's A Current Affair, which is where he discovered Paul Hogan, who was working as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the time. 

He became Hogan's manager and eventual co-star on The Paul Hogan Show, where he played 'Strop'.

Flashback: Cornell played Strop on The Paul Hogan Show. (Pictured with Hogan and Delvene Delaney)

Flashback: Cornell played Strop on The Paul Hogan Show. (Pictured with Hogan and Delvene Delaney)

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