Australian actor Richard Norton’s death was “triggered by” his use of unapproved peptides, a coroner has found.
The martial arts expert built a wide-ranging career as an actor, stuntman, instructor and fight trainer, and worked with A-list stars including Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie and Ben Affleck.
The 75-year-old died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30 last year after injecting himself with peptides, collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest.
Coroner David Ryan ruled that Norton’s death resulted from complications linked to the unapproved peptide products CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, which had been prescribed by a doctor.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are peptides that work together to stimulate the body’s natural production of growth hormone.
They are commonly used in attempts to support muscle growth, aid recovery after exercise, improve sleep quality, promote fat loss, and assist tissue repair and collagen production.
Norton’s death is believed to be the first in Australia attributed to the use of unapproved peptides.
Coroner David Ryan ruled that Richard Norton’s (pictured) death was “triggered by” his use of injectable, unapproved peptides
The 75-year-old martial arts expert enjoyed a successful career as an actor, stuntman and instructor, training A-list celebrities including Scarlett Johansson (pictured)
Norton’s doctor prescribed the peptides to address fatigue, slower physical recovery, shoulder pain and a loss of lean muscle mass.
“Norton had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner,” Mr Ryan said in findings released on Wednesday.
According to the coroner’s report, Norton approached his practitioner, Dr Jerzy Muchnicki, after developing an “interest in peptide therapy”.
Norton, who had asthma and osteoarthritis and had undergone reconstruction surgery on both shoulders, told Dr Muchnicki that another practitioner had previously prescribed him peptides.
“Dr Muchnicki discussed in detail what was involved with peptide therapy, including the experimental nature of the treatment,” the coroner wrote.
“They also discussed the potential risks and the lack of other alternative treatment options currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).”
“Dr Muchnicki also arranged a series of blood tests to confirm baseline health parameters and assess for any contraindications or underlying conditions that may influence treatment decisions.”
Norton signed an “Informed Consent Form for Peptide Therapy” before being prescribed injectable CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin, neither of which is approved for this use.
Coroner David Ryan found that Norton collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest after injecting the unapproved peptide products CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin
Norton’s doctor prescribed the peptides after the 75-year-old expressed an “interest in peptide therapy” to treat fatigue, slower physical recovery, shoulder pain and loss of lean muscle mass (Norton pictured with Margot Robbie)
A licensed compounding pharmacy in Queensland prepared Norton’s treatment.
In the days before his death, Norton told Dr Muchnicki that the peptide therapy had improved his symptoms and that he was “feeling good”.
However, the coronial inquest heard that Norton told a nurse at Dr Muchnicki’s clinic he had been administering twice the prescribed dose.
“The nurse advised Richard that from the following week he ought to only administer the prescribed dose,” the coronial report stated.
Only hours after speaking with the nurse, Norton injected CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin before becoming unresponsive.
Mr Ryan recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review the benefits and safety risks associated with peptides such as CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin.
He also urged the regulator to “consider whether further restrictions ought to be imposed on their use”.
The TGA said several existing pathways allow medical practitioners to access unapproved peptides.
The coronial report found that Norton had told a nurse at his doctor’s clinic he was administering twice the prescribed dose (Norton pictured with Liam Neeson)
“TGA continues to warn consumers about the risks of unapproved peptides, which have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness,” the agency said in a statement issued after the coronial report.
Norton grew up in Sydney and began studying judo when he was 11. By the age of 17, he had earned a black belt in karate.
In 1970, he was appointed chief instructor at Bob Jones’ martial arts studio in Melbourne.
He later established a successful career as a martial arts instructor, personal security guard and fight trainer to major Hollywood stars.
Norton married Judy, a model and Sale of the Century star, in 1993.
He also appeared as a bodyguard in ABBA’s iconic 1977 film ABBA: The Movie, which was filmed in Australia.
Norton became known internationally for appearances in Hong Kong action films including The Magic Crystal, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars and City Hunter.
His most recent work included serving as fight co-ordinator on Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Suicide Squad and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
The martial arts expert also trained Liam Neeson for the film Backlight, as well as Charlie Hunnam and Ben Affleck in Hawaii for Triple Frontier.
