Much-loved movie reviewer Bill Collins OAM, known for his decades of presenting classic Hollywood movies has died, aged 84.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday.

Joan Collins, his wife of 36 years, said: “Our hearts are broken by the loss of our dear Bill – he will never be forgotten. How fortunate we were to have him in our lives. On behalf of Bill’s family and myself, I would like to thank the public for the great support given to Bill over the years.

“Bill’s love of film was encouraged by you, his audience, and his love of sharing his passion, which increased over the five decades that he presented on every Australian television.

“Bill was always thrilled when he realised the joy and happiness he gave to his viewers. He never took them for granted, always wanting to please.

“Darling Bill you will be loved and missed always.”

Bill Collins introduced generations of Australians to the world of movies through his Golden Years of Hollywood presentations. He began his career as a teacher and later a college lecturer before media beckoned.

In 2009 he told TV Tonight, “I started on the ABC in 1963 (on Roundabout), but I started writing about films in a magazine called TV Times. And before I could turn around there I was presenting The Golden Years of Hollywood on Channel Nine on Friday nights, and I’ve been on TV ever since.”

He went on to work as a movie presenter at Seven and 10 networks before signing with Foxtel for its launch in 1995, where he remained until retirement last October. His final screening was “The Long Hot Summer” (1958) .

Many Australians grew up hearing Collins’ movie anecdotes. Whether highlighting a standout performance, noting a soaring soundtrack, or explaining the political climate in which a film was made, Collins became known as “Mr Movies.”

“I love what I do. I love movies and I love teaching and for 50 years I have been able to teach in my own way on television about the art of great movies,” he once said.

“My favourite movies are ones which make me happy, I don’t mean happy in a childish or silly way but they make me feel life is worth living. There are some films which I would regard as very well-made but it does not necessarily make them favourites. My favourite films are those I feel have enriched or changed my life because of the way they have made me think about things.

“For example, I first saw Brief Encounter when I was a schoolboy in the 1940s. I liked it very much and it introduced me to Noel Coward whose works I came to enjoy greatly.”

But he also had time for other international cinema.

“I love British and Italian and Japanese films, but Hollywood’s are the ones I present. Just because I present those doesn’t mean my range isn’t a bit wider. I love films from all over. Directors like Visconte and Fellini. They are golden years films from Italy,” he said.

Amongst his awards and accolades are the Order of Australia Medal, the TV Week Hall of Fame Logie Award, and the inaugural ASTRA Award for Lifetime Achievement.

When asked about the key to movie reviewing, Collins told TV Tonight, “Sometimes there are things to be said that I think make it more interesting. But I’ve always said that I never tell them the butler did it. That’s the secret.

“I don’t give things away and I try to tell the story.”

This post updates.

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