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Greg Herbert, who once dated '60s British beauty Jean Shrimpton

Popular Australian Expat, Rugby Player and Model Collapses, Dies in Patong

Monday, September 7, 2015
PHUKET: Greg Herbert, a popular Australian expat who lived in Patong for more than 10 years, died unexpectedly yesterday aged 76.

Mr Herbert, who told pals he played rugby union for Australia in his youth, worked in the US for more than three decades before settling on Phuket.

He lived in a guesthouse near the Patong fire station and collapsed in the street nearby yesterday.

A popular figure who ran with the Hash House Harriers every weekend, he was also well known at the Expat Bar in Patong.

One of his many friends, veteran Australian journalist Phil Teese, said: ''Greg was a really good bloke. He will be missed.''

It's thought that his death was probably caused by a heart attack. His body was taken to Patong Hospital after he collapsed about 11am.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

The following obituary has been posted on the Phuket Hash House Harriers' site:

'A Charming Character In A Colorful Life'

Greg Herbert, my dear friend, was blessed to live in an era that allowed him to live an adventurous life on a global scale. Having known great fame, the low ebb of poverty and just about all else in between, he strode forth with the confident, contented charm of a genuine gentleman who treated despair with disdain and exuded humble equanimity through it all.

Greg Herbert - Super Male Model Extraordinaire! 1966 & 2015

A life-long bachelor with no issues, Greg was a world-class sportsman, a pioneer in his professional life as a male supermodel and a consummate ladies' man.

Invited to play with Australia's rugby union national team, the Wallabies, in 1960 at the tender age of 20 as a member of the Northern Suburbs Rugby Club of Sydney, Australia, he went on to play for two counties in the UK and for the Rosslyn Park Rugby Club in the early 1960's. He also tried out for the New York Giants NFL team in 1966.

On the forefront of the avant-garde male modeling scene springing from the 1960's, he worked for over 40 years in the haute-couture trade of London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles.

The epitome of charisma and a strapping (6'4", 220 lbs.), handsome guy working with the world's top fashion models, women loved his company and often swooned to the lilt of his 'je ne sais quoi'.

Greg liked to admit in a mirthful, self-deprecatory manner, "I dated lots of beautiful women because I was one of the few straight male models who was lucky to come along just when bikini-brief male underwear hit the scene" - 'Gay Cowboy' (not!) indeed!

He was boyfriend to both Jean Shrimpton (an icon of Swinging London in the 1960's and one of the first supermodels) and Mandy Rice-Davies (prior to her role in the Profumo UK Governmental Scandal of 1963).

A 'wink and a nod' to you, Greg, there at the Big ON ON In The Sky and Beyond . . . !

"Farewell Old Friend; You'll be sorely missed, yet in the fullness of time, grief will pass, sadness will fade and only fond memories shall endure . . . "
Heath Norris (Na Hee Man)
September 6, 2015

Comments

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Greg was a real "chick magnet".At one stage, he had so many women chasing him, he went out and bought a pair of ladies shoes which he would leave outside his door when he wanted a quiet night. The theory was, any girl who came to 'visit" would see the shoes and assume he had another woman with him, and leave. RIP Digger. You'll be missed by many.

Posted by Phil on September 7, 2015 18:51

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Greg was a great friend of mine in the 80s in Newport Beach, California. Partied, played tennis, cooked together, etc. Wonderful sweet man. We will all miss you, my friend.

Posted by Anonymous on September 8, 2015 03:40

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I did not know Greg, but am saddened by the loss of an Aussie Expat, RIP mate

Posted by Ric White on September 8, 2015 12:58

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When I first moved to Huntington Beach , California in 1999 I rented a room from Greg.. A cool dude for sure.. We had good conversations and good laughs and saw him around for years until he moved away
God Bless you buddy !!!

Posted by Ray ( the irishman) on September 8, 2015 15:40

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What a great guy. we spent many Sundays in the old day at Black's. My wife Suzi always said he was the best looking guy of all my friends. We will miss him.

Posted by Anonymous on September 9, 2015 01:58

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Greg was my greatest friend in my life. He was my rock for 26 years. He was my mentor. We were each other's family. He loved my St. Paddy's day crockpot corned beef!! We spent 20 years
just "hanging out together". We partied in Tahoe, Vegas, Chicago, Mexico, Hawaii, to name just a few. I dreaded this day would come, I hoped I could just go first. I assured him he would live to be 100. HE LOVED PEOPLE AND LOVED LIFE! This is such a shock, he didn't want to go. Greg was so GENEROUS and kind to everyone. Every wise word he's shared with me will last forever in my mind. Greg was sent by HEAVEN to help me with my life-I have been so blessed.

GREG-you are with God now. Thank you for everything. I will never be the same but I have so many fun memories, they will never run out.

I love you.

Posted by Shawna on September 17, 2015 03:00


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