Kate Hood

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Kate Hood
Born1958or1959(age 66–67) [1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation(s)Actress, writer, director
Years active1981−present
Notable work Prisoner (1986)

Kate Hood (born 1958or1959 [1] ) is an Australian actress, born in Sydney. She studied drama in New Zealand and joined The Mercury Theatre.[ citation needed ]

Contents

She is best known to international audiences for her role in the cult television drama Prisoner [2] [3] as the misunderstood Kath Maxwell during the final year of the series. [4] [5]

She also played Jill Fowley on three episodes of Blue Heelers during its sixth season, and is the voice behind many TAC commercials. She had a part in the Jodie Foster film Mesmerized .[ citation needed ]

In 2003, Hood was diagnosed with HSP (hereditary spastic paraplegia). She is a wheelchair user. [3] Hood said of the diagnosis that she underwent two years of unsuccessful treatment with a chiropractor before seeing a neurologist. [6]

In 2023, Hood was added to an advisory board of the Melbourne Theatre Company. [7]

Other activities

Hood is the director of Raspberry Ripple Productions, a production company that focuses on helping disabled actors work with people like themselves on stage. [8]

Hood is an advocate for disability awareness in the arts sector. [9] [10]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984 Constance Library Assistant
1986 Mesmerized MidwifeFeature film
1988 Takeover NurseTelevision film
1993 The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children? Mrs. BowmanTelevision film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986 Prisoner Kath MaxwellSeason 8 (84 episodes)
1999–2000 Blue Heelers Jill Fowler, Rita Hammond Season 6 (3 episodes)
2016–17 Neighbours Maxine Cowper Season 32−33 (4 episodes)
2022Talking PrisonerSelfPodcast series 1 episode

Theatre

Hood has appeared in numerous theatre productions. In 2023, Hood appeared in the play Escape Alone. [11] In 2024, Hood appeared in Cost of Living during the Queensland season of the production. [12]

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2024Cost of LivingAniQueensland Theatre Co [13]
Peacemongers [14]
2023Escape AloneLenaSouthbank Theatre [15]
Risky BusinessDirector / Geelong Theatre Co [16]

References

  1. 1 2 Rashith, Rahimah (26 March 2018). "Setting the stage for performers with disability". The Straits Times . Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. Ellis, Katie (18 January 2019). Disability and Digital Television Cultures: Representation, Access, and Reception. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-62784-5.
  3. 1 2 Dow, Steve (23 September 2016). "Disability and the 'new normal': why Australia needs to ramp up access to stage and screen". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  4. "Mainstreaming Disability and Appearance Diversity on Screen". ACMI. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. "Diversity Casting – Presentation by Kate Hood [Melbourne]". Auslan Stage Left. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. "'My legs would just give way': Aussie star's battle after diagnosis". honey.nine.com.au. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  7. Bergman, Gabi (28 February 2023). "New voices join Melbourne Theatre Company to help realise new vision". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  8. "About Us". Raspberry Ripple. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  9. Muscat, Kate Hood Olivia; Collyer, Emilie (9 July 2020). "An opening for change". Witness Performance. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  10. "Kate Hood – FCAC Artist-In-Residence". Footscray Community Arts. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  11. Theatre, Aussie (9 August 2023). "MTC | Caryl Churchill's Masterpieces Unite in Exclusive Double Bill". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  12. Cross, Chantel Le. "★★★★☆: From Broadway to Sydney, this hit play treats disability with humour and dignity". Time Out Sydney. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  13. "Theatre review: Cost of Living, Queensland Theatre". artshub.com.au. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  14. "Theatre review: Peacemongers, Darebin Arts Speakeasy". artshub.com.au. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  15. Byrne, Tim (13 August 2023). "Escaped Alone and What If If Only review – this Caryl Churchill double bill opens with a masterpiece". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  16. "Geelong Arts Centre celebrates arts diversity with Risky Business – Geelong Arts Centre". geelongartscentre.org.au. Retrieved 25 February 2025.