Sir Robert Helpmann CBE (9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer. He was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Helpmann was known for his role as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Helpmann died on 28 September 1986 in Sydney from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aged 77. He was given a state funeral.[1]
In 1964, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).[2] In 1965, he was named Australian of the Year,[3] and in 1968, he was made a Knight Bachelor.[4]