Jackie Chan's Co-Star Richard Norton Dies After Anti-Ageing Peptide Injection Triggered Cardiac Arrest

Australian martial arts actor Richard Norton died after suffering an anaphylactic reaction and cardiac arrest triggered by an injection of unapproved anti‑ageing peptides, a Melbourne coroner has ruled.

Norton, 75, who fought Jackie Chan on screen and made his name opposite Chuck Norris, died on 30 March 2025, 11 days after being prescribed CJC‑1295 and Ipamorelin to treat fatigue, pain and loss of lean muscle mass.

Coroner David Ryan, whose findings were published this week, concluded that his death was 'triggered by his injection of the peptide CJC1295/Ipamorelin'.

Both drugs are unapproved products that have not been assessed by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for safety, quality or effectiveness. His is believed to be the first confirmed death in Australia linked to the use of unapproved peptides.

Dose Exceeded Prescription

Norton, who had asthma, osteoarthritis and a history of shoulder reconstructions, 'had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner', the coroner found. A nurse recorded that he said he was injecting 'double the dose'.

His wife, the actor Judy Green, told hospital staff that he had been injecting twice a day 'for muscle growth and healing' and had experienced redness and swelling from his first dose. By Friday 28 March, his symptoms had progressed to whole‑body flushing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

He attended the clinic of Melbourne doctor Jerzy Muchnicki that afternoon and told a nurse he felt good and had 'no side effects'. The nurse advised him to return to the prescribed dose the following week.

Five hours later, Norton injected another combined dose. He quickly felt hot and flushed and collapsed within minutes. Ms Green began CPR, but paramedics found him in cardiac arrest.

Tests at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital showed raised levels of tryptase and troponin, markers associated with allergic reaction and cell damage. Norton then developed ischaemic bowel, in which blood supply to parts of the intestine is cut off, and doctors judged him unsuitable for surgery. He died in hospital on 30 March.

Doctor Cautioned Over Peptide Therapy

According to the coroner, Dr Muchnicki reviewed Norton's medical history, warned him that the treatment was experimental and lacked TGA approval, and obtained signed informed consent.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency received a notification about the doctor's care, prompting an investigation by the Medical Board of Australia. Clinical professor Alistair Vickery, engaged by the board, said there was 'insufficient evidence that CJC1295/Ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use'.

However, he concluded that, given Dr Muchnicki's training, Norton's written consent and his earlier peptide use without serious adverse effects, the care provided was 'at a standard reasonably expected'. He found the doctor's notes were 'sparse, inadequate and perfunctory'.

Dr Muchnicki accepted the criticism, apologised and engaged an educator for one‑to‑one training in record keeping. The board found his practice 'is or may be unsatisfactory' but decided formal regulatory action was not warranted. He received a caution and conditions were placed on his registration.

Regulator Reviews Anti‑Ageing Peptides

Mr Ryan recommended that the TGA review 'the therapeutic benefits and safety risks of peptides such as CJC1295 and Ipamorelin' and consider whether further restrictions should apply.

The TGA said it 'continues to warn consumers about the risks of unapproved peptides' and is still assessing the risks and considering additional regulatory measures.

Screen Career With Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris

Norton appeared in more than 80 films and television programmes over four decades. He rose to prominence in Chuck Norris's 1980 film The Octagon and later faced Chan in three films, including the 1993 action comedy City Hunter.

He later worked as a fight choreographer and stunt coordinator, with credits including Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. He is survived by Ms Green.