Priestley's character on the Australian television program All Saints (Dan Goldman) was involved with a storyline with his on-screen wife Erica when the actor took his own life.
Coincidentally, the final two episodes Priestley was to play in on the program (written before his death) also involved much tragedy and sadness.
[3] Priestley's funeral was held on 4 September 2008 at Perth's Holy Family Catholic Church in Como, with more than 500 people in attendance.
Press and camera crews were allowed to enter the church at the permission of the family, under the condition that no details of the eulogy be released in public.
[5] Priestly's co-star John Howard, who played Dr Frank Campion, said Priestley was a fine actor: "He had the most extraordinary combination of very deft comic touch and great emotional depth."
"Mark the actor was intuitive, and graced every scene in which he appeared with a touch of whimsical genius that only he could apply."