Australian actor Richard Norton dies after receiving doctor-prescribed peptide injections

Richard Norton, a 75-year-old Australian actor, stunt performer and fight coordinator known for work with major Hollywood stars, died on March 30, 2025 after suffering cardiac arrest in Melbourne. A coroner’s report attributed his death to complications from a peptide stack consisting of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin that had been prescribed by his physician, Dr. Jerzy Muchnicki, to address fatigue, muscle loss and shoulder pain.

The coroner, David Ryan, noted that Norton had taken doses exceeding the prescription and that the treatment was experimental. He wrote that Dr. Muchnicki had explained the experimental nature of peptide therapy, discussed potential risks, and performed baseline blood tests before proceeding. The report highlighted that neither peptide is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and that the substances carry serious risks, including cardiovascular complications and abnormal cellular growth.

"I am not satisfied that it is appropriate for them to be available to be prescribed by medical practitioners," the coroner said, calling for the peptides to be limited to clinical trials and experimental use.

Norton had previously undergone bilateral shoulder reconstruction and sought the treatment in March 2025 after reporting reduced recovery and energy. He reportedly felt improvement before informing a nurse on March 28 that he was using twice the prescribed dose. Hours later he experienced flushing, became unresponsive, and died despite hospital care.

The Medical Board of Australia reviewed Dr. Muchnicki’s conduct, mandating retraining in clinical record-keeping but taking no further regulatory action. Ryan has urged the Therapeutic Goods Administration to reassess the safety and therapeutic claims of the peptides and to impose stricter controls.