Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton died after injecting two unapproved peptide products, a coroner has found, prompting a call for Australia’s medicines regulator to review their safety and use.
Norton, 75, suffered a cardiac arrest after injecting CJC1295 and Ipamorelin, products prescribed to him by a doctor. He died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30, 2025.
Coroner David Ryan’s findings, delivered this week, said complications from Norton’s use of the peptides led to his death.
The coroner recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) review the potential benefits and safety risks of the products and consider whether tighter restrictions are needed.
Norton was taking more than the prescribed dose
Norton had approached a medical practitioner about peptide therapy to address concerns including fatigue, shoulder pain, reduced physical recovery and loss of muscle mass. He had asthma, osteoarthritis and a history of shoulder surgery.
The coroner’s findings said the doctor discussed the experimental nature of the treatment, its potential risks and the lack of other TGA-approved alternatives.
Norton signed a consent form outlining the treatment and its risks, and blood tests were arranged before the injections were prescribed.
About a week after starting treatment, Norton reportedly told the doctor he was feeling well and that the therapy was helping his symptoms.
He later told a nurse at the clinic that he had been taking twice the prescribed amount of CJC1295 and Ipamorelin. The nurse advised him to return to the prescribed dose the following week.
Hours after that conversation, Norton injected the peptides, became unresponsive and suffered cardiac arrest. The coroner found he had been taking more than the prescribed dose.
Coroner calls for a safety review
The peptides were prescribed but had not been approved by the TGA, which has not assessed them for safety, quality or effectiveness. The coroner said the regulator should consider whether further restrictions should apply, given uncertainties about the products’ benefits and risks.
The case was also reviewed by the Medical Board of Australia. An independent expert found insufficient evidence that the peptide combination was safe, effective or beneficial for human use.
The expert considered the doctor’s clinical care to be at the expected standard in light of the consent process and Norton’s previous use of peptides, but criticised the doctor’s record-keeping as inadequate.
The board said the doctor acknowledged shortcomings and expressed sorrow for the impact on Norton and his family. It issued a caution and imposed conditions, but decided further regulatory action was not warranted.
A career in action films and stunt work
Norton was known as an actor, stunt performer, martial artist and fight choreographer. Over a career spanning decades, he worked with action stars including Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan.
His screen credits included *The Octagon*, *Mad Max: Fury Road* and *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga*. He also worked behind the scenes on action and fight sequences for films including *Suicide Squad* and *X-Men: Dark Phoenix*.
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