Biography
Syd Heylen was an Australian character actor, comedian and variety performer, credited variously as Syd, Sid and Sydney Heylen. He appeared in radio, stage, television and film, often in a vaudeville style.
Heylen served in the Australian Army during the Second World War before entering entertainment. His film roles included Old Bob in Stir (1980) and Curmudgeon in Mad Max 2 (1981). He was best known for playing Vernon 'Cookie' Locke, the RSL club manager, barman and chef, in the television series A Country Practice from 1982 to 1992.
After leaving the series, Heylen and his wife Patti retired to the Gold Coast in Queensland. He died on 4 December 1996.
