David Gulpilil - Australia Star Didn't Know Hendrix Was Dead

AUSTRALIA star DAVID GULPILIL leads such a remote life in the Australian outback, he has only just discovered JIMI HENDRIX, who he befriended 38 years ago, has died.

The 55-year-old Aborigine has starred in a string of hit Aussie movies since finding fame in 1970 epic Walkabout.

But he still lives deep in the bush, cut off completely from civilisation.

And during a casting meeting for Australia, director Baz Luhrmann was stunned to discover how out of touch Gulpilil really is.

The filmmaker says, "He's quite mystical. I went to see him and he said, 'Baz. That fellow I played didgeridoo with all those years ago. Jimi Hendrix. Is he still around?'

"He had no idea."

Hendrix died in London in 1970, shortly after his meeting with Gulpilil.