On November 10, 2023, Johnny Ruffo’s long battle with brain cancer came to an end at just 35 years old.
Johnny cemented himself into Australian history at a young age. He stole the hearts of many at just 23 when he auditioned for The X Factor Australia in 2011.
At the time, he was just a construction worker, wearing a leather jacket with music symbols shaved into his hair. He moon-walked across the stage while singing Do You Remember by Jay Sean.
“My dream is to sing and dance in front of the whole world, eventually,” he said moments before his audition.
While he didn’t win, ranking third in the singing competition, Australia just simply couldn’t get enough of Johnny Ruffo.
Johnny took his dancing talents to Dancing With The Stars Australia in 2012, and won the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.
In 2013, Johnny made his acting debut as Chris Harrington in Home and Away. Originally signing on for a few episodes, he starred on the Aussie drama until September 2016.
During these years, Johnny made life-long friends. But the friendship that remained the strongest was that with Lynne McGranger. Lynne, who played Irene in the Australian soap, was close with Johnny through his many years battling brain cancer.
In 2017, Johnny sought medical help for a severe migraine, later undergoing an MRI when the doctors discovered a 7cm tumor. The tumor was removed in a 10-hour surgery.
Johnny was just 29-years-old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
While Johnny admitted to feeling “angry” about his diagnosis, there wasn’t a single day he faced his illness alone. Standing closely by his side was his partner, and love of his life, Tahnee Sims.
Their connection was instant. Tahnee and Johnny met in 2015 at a dance studio, and have been together ever since.
“Without her I may not be here,” he told Now To Love. “She was the one who made me get in the car [to go to hospital] when it [the headaches] first happened.”
In May 2019, Johnny revealed he was cancer-free and was in remission.
And his love and admiration for Tahnee never wavered. Nor did her love for Johnny when the cancer aggressively returned in 2020.
“After an unexpected week of seizures and excruciating headaches it is with a heavy heart that i have to let you know i now have another huge battle ahead of me as my brain cancer has returned, though i will dig deep and beat this shit disease again,” he wrote on Instagram in November 2020.
Johnny’s spirits remained high, with so many loved ones around Australia sending their support. But sadly, he confirmed his brain cancer was terminal in August 2022.
“It’s terminal cancer so, at some point it’s going to get me but I’m still fighting, still kicking on,” he told The Project. “Looking up my diagnosis and my tumour… the average life expectancy was three years and for me, it’s now been five years. I’m already winning.”
Johnny celebrated his last birthday in March 2023, with his partner Tahnee by his side. A few months later, his family shared a statement to Instagram confirming his death.
“It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,” it began. “Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors.
“He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and had a strong will. He battled all the way to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give.
“We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest easy ❤️” it concluded.
This was the last post to ever be shared on Johnny Ruffo’s Instagram account. Even two years after his passing, people still comment on the post to share their love.
