Mark 'Chopper' Read admitted to Royal Melbourne Hospital

High-profile criminal Mark 'Chopper' read is gravely ill in hospital, his manager says.

Read, who has terminal liver cancer, was admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Monday with an ongoing and serious illness, manager Andrew Parisi said in a statement.

"Neither Mark or his family will be providing any information regarding his prognosis and would appreciate privacy in these most difficult times," he said.

His wife and sons are reportedly by his bedside.

Read, 58, spent more than 23 years in jail up until 1998 for crimes including armed robbery, assault and kidnapping.

He was portrayed by Eric Bana in the 2000 film Chopper, and his autobiographical books have made him Australia's best-selling true crime author.

In April 2012, he revealed he had cancer and at the time said doctors had told him he may have weeks or up to six years left to live.

Mr Parisi said the media would be advised of Read's condition in coming days.