The famous winner of a popular game show has passed away aged 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He died peacefully at his a Melbourne retirement village.
Cary Young was a regular contestant on the 1980s quiz show Sale of the Century and won a record 60 times.
Mr Young’s family shared a tribute to him on Thursday where he was remembered for being an ordinary bloke who captured the hearts of Australians around the country.
“People just had this affection for him because he was just this very average person. He wasn’t an academic or professional,” his daughter Michelle said via a statement to the Herald Sun.
“He was working in the meatworks when he went on the show – he saw an opportunity to make a better life for his family.”
Originally from New Zealand, Mr Young reportedly picked up an amazing general knowledge when, as a child, he was stuck in bed with asthma and had to read to fend off the boredom.
Want to stream your news? Flash lets you stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >
Brydon Coverdale, best known for being one of the “chasers” on The Chase Australia, also shared a tribute for the late Cary Young.
“Cary became a really recognisable face on Australian television throughout that era, despite the fact he was just a normal, everyday person,” Mr Coverdale said.
“He would go through encyclopedias and sources and write a whole list of names and memorise them.”
Mr Young was hailed as “quiz legend” by the Chase star.
TV personality Mark Humphries also commented on social media: “Oh man. What a legend.”
Mr Young became an icon in 1982 when he was largely unknown but became champion on quiz show Sale of the Century hosted by Tony Barber.
Since then he appeared on another 59 episodes on the program and he was honoured as the show’s most well-known champion.
More Coverage
He turned his skills into a job, writing a daily quiz for the Herald Sun from 2000 to 2006.
He also won the grand prize of a $35,000 fiery red Holden Piazza.
The quiz king is survived by his wife Lyn and their children Peter and Michelle, as well as five grandchildren.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7xaKlmqaTmny4u9GkZpyZopqys7%2BOrJilnV2ks27Ax55knJ2eqcKzxYyqrKKyXanDbr%2FHqK5mm5iWurG1zqdknJmirnq6u9SnnmacmZrAbq3GnptmcGNku6bD0maqraeirnx2fsFpaXBvZG1%2BpLDDcmxpmWdlsHKtk2lvnW5ll4R5gw%3D%3D