Guy Pearce announced his mother Anne Cocking died on Monday night after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The 55-year-old actor posted the sad news on Twitter as he paid tribute to her.
The Neighbors star shared a gallery of snaps of his mum and sister Tracey as he revealed his heartbreak.
He described Anne as “sharp, wild and funny” before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 13 years ago.
He wrote, “Today I lost my beautiful mother.”
Devastated: Neighbors star Guy Pearce paid tribute to his mother (left) after she passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s (pictured 2022)
‘We will always love you’: The 55-year-old actor took to Twitter to share the sad news that his mother (left) passed away late Monday night – pictured with his sister Tracey (right).
“I kicked the bucket,” as she would say. What a sharp, wild and witty woman Anne was until she developed Alzheimer’s in 2010.
“It’s been a long and winding road.” A fitting song for your departure, Mom. Tracy and I will miss you very much. We will always love you XX.’
Several fans and celebrity friends used the comments to express their condolences and support for the star.
Anne was an English teacher who was widowed in 1975 after her husband Stuart Pearce, an RAF test pilot, died in a plane crash.
Guy, who was just eight when his father tragically died, has previously spoken about his close bond with his mother Anne.
Speaking to The Times in November 2022, Guy explained that he helped his mother raise his older sister Tracy, who was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome – a rare genetic disorder present from birth and leads to physical, cognitive and medical problems.
He said: “A big part of the reason I never wanted to have children was because I was helping raise my sister – I have a sister with an intellectual disability – and I felt like I had done with my parenting .”
“For a long time I knew I would never have children. It was very clear.’
Heartbroken: The Neighbors star (left) shared a gallery of snaps of his mother (right) and sister Tracey (centre) in which he described Anne as “sharp, wild and witty” before she developed Alzheimer’s 13 years ago was diagnosed
‘We will miss you dearly’: Anne was an English teacher who was widowed in 1975 after her husband, RAF test pilot Stuart Pearce, died in a plane crash
He wrote, “Today I lost my beautiful mother.” “Kicked the bucket,” as she would say. What a sharp, wild and witty woman Anne was until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010. It was a long and winding road. A fitting song for your departure, Mama. Tracy and I will miss you very much. We will always love you XX.’
In 2016, Guy welcomed his son Monte with Game of Thrones actress Carice van Houten.
While Guy has fond memories of his mother, he has also previously spoken out about her battle with Alzheimer’s.
In 2017, he shared a childhood photo along with Anne along with some prose on Twitter.
He wrote: “A wonderful piece of writing that my beautiful mother gave me to me many years ago.” Unfortunately, due to her Alzheimer’s disease, she no longer knows me. However, I know that I will carry her wisdom with me forever…”
Before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Anne was an avid supporter of her son’s acting career, which propelled him to stardom on the hit Australian soap opera Neighbors.
He played Mike Young on the Australian soap opera before leaving the series in 1989 and embarking on a successful career in Hollywood.
Reflecting on his own childhood, Guy also credits Anne with helping spark his love of acting.
In 2009, he told Web, “I loved going to the theater with my mum.” I was blown away that the actors could have such an impact on audiences and make them think they were smart and funny . I’ve decided to start doing it myself.’
Neighbors will return to screens in September after being rescued by Amazon Freevee – and Guy will once again be gracing Ramsay Street.
‘I will carry her wisdom with me forever’: While Guy has fond memories of his mother, he has also previously spoken out about her battle with Alzheimer’s