For fans of the adored Australian star, Heath Ledger’s name will live on in Batman: The Dark Knight“. Taking the role of arch-villan the Joker, Heath played his final role in the movie. But for one Kiwi family, it’s another name they’ll be looking for as the credits roll – that of Conway Wickliffe.
Both men were honoured in a moving dedication at the close of the film because Batman: The Dark Knight” was New Zealander Conway’s last movie, too. The talented special effects expert died in an accident on the set of the blockbuster film 10 months ago, but his grief-stricken partner of 23 years, Derynn Chase, can’t bring herself to watch the film that ended her soulmate’s life.
“Conway was a bit of a superhero to his family back in New Zealand,” says Derynn (38). “Even though he rubbed shoulders with the Hollywood elite as part of his career, he was always so humble about it.
“Conway was everything to me – he was someone I loved deeply, a wonderful partner and a devoted dad. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”
Derynn, who met Conway when they were teenagers living in Auckland, says the love of her life would be proud to know the movie will be dedicated to him and his colleague Heath, who won a posthumous oscar for his role as the Joker.
Conway (41), originally from Paeroa, moved to the UK in 1992 with Derynn and got his start in the British film industry seven years ago, working on Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie. Since then his jobs included some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including two James Bond films.
“Conway had an engineering and graphic design background, and his job was making the big rigs and doing the explosions,” says Derynn. “After watching each film, we would always wait for his name to come up in the credits. Although he worked in the background, he said it was always a cool feeling that he helped make these big Hollywood movies look spectacular.”
Conway was killed when a four-wheel drive vehicle in which he was a passenger hit a tree while it was following a stunt car. Before Conway’s body was flown back to New Zealand for his tangi in Te Kuiti, a wake was held in London, attended by more than 300 mourners including Christian Bale, who plays Batman in the film. Condolences were sent by the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, who was unable to attend.
Derynn says the outpouring of grief – from family, friends and Hollywood stars alike – is a testament to the sort of man Conway was. “He was a very sociable and well-liked guy. In this industry, if you get on with people they recommend you for work, and that’s how Conway was able to work on so many amazing films.”
For Derynn, who is still in London with her two children, Eden (5) and Sabian (13), it will be some time before she can bring herself to see the movie. “It will be so heartbreaking for me to watch,” she says, overcome with emotion.
What makes it even more devastating for Derynn is that she and Conway were planning to marry. “We met when we were teenagers and we always had a strong relationship,” she says. “This was to be our next big step.”
She says her heart will always be in New Zealand but it’ll be hard for her to leave the UK, the birthplace of her children and the place where she and Conway set up home. “We built our lives together here but I plan to move back to New Zealand in the near future. I want to stay in London to tie up loose ends and to wait for the report of the health-and-safety investigation into Conway’s accident has been released.”
Whenever she feels overwhelmed by the loss of her partner, Derynn remembers his infectious smile and his work ethic, which he has passed on to his children. “Conway did so much in his life,” she says. “He will never be forgotten.”
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