Surrounded by family and friends, Hunter died at a Melbourne hospice on Saturday at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
Tributes for the "iconic legend" have poured in on social network site Twitter, where actors and politicians joined other Australians sharing their sorrow.
Actor Daniel McPherson tweeted: "RIP Bill Hunter. Legend of the Screen. Legend of a Man."
Russell Crowe thanked Hunter for the entertainment he provided over his long career that spanned more than 50 years.
"Very sad to hear about Bill Hunter. Unique talent," he said.
"I first met Bill in 1970 on the set of Spyforce. Thanks for the entertainment mate, RIP."
Broadcaster and comedian Adam Hills also tweeted: "Saddened to hear of Bill Hunter's passing."
A stalwart of the Australian film industry, his 100-plus movie and television credits read like a potted history of home-grown film and television.
Simon Wincer, who directed Hunter in The Cup last year, told the Herald Sun that Hunter "will certainly be very fondly remembered... he has left his mark".
Hunter showed no sign of illness when The Cup was shot last year, he said.
"He was his normal self. I will say Billy has lived life pretty hard, a smoker and drinker, a legend in that department, but that was one of his charms."
Hunter's ex-wife Rhoda Roberts believes his drinking habits were exaggerated, the Herald Sun reported.
"He did not drink that much ... he'd get a beer at lunchtime, but he would sit on that," she said.
Politicians were also paying tribute, with South Australian Premier Mike Rann tweeting: "Sad news about Bill Hunter's death. Such a great Aussie actor."
Legend was the most common adjective in the tweets, with icon not far behind.
One tweet suggested BHP should build a statue of him as he was so quintessentially Australian.
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