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Lesley Baker | |
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| Born | 20 January 1944 |
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| Years active | Screen 1969–present, theatre 1963-1981 [1] |
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Lesley Baker (born 20 January 1944) is an Australian actress, singer, dancer and comedian. She is best known internationally for her small screen roles in cult series Prisoner and her recurring role in Neighbours .
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024) |
Baker was well known for her early appearances on In Melbourne Tonight with Graham Kennedy, after which she went on to play several roles for Crawford Productions series.
She is best known for her TV soap opera roles including hulking husband basher, Monica Ferguson, in early episodes of Prisoner in 1979, and in 1982, she returned to that series playing the character of "Tinker" Bell Peters.
She has played the itinerant role of Angie Rebecchi since January 1995, the mother of long-running character, Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) in Neighbours , who was also introduced in 1995. The character Angie was originally introduced as a guest character, however, her popularity with viewers saw writers decide to introduce her husband "Big Kev" (Don Bridges), eldest son, Shane (Greg O'Mera), and youngest son, Jared "Toadfish" Rebecchi, to the regular cast. The family moved into Ramsay Street, and joined Kevin Jr "Stonefish" Rebecchi (Anthony Engleman), who was an already established character from 1994. In 1996, Angie, Kev and Stonefish were all written out of Neighbours, however, both Angie and Stonefish made sporadic appearances over the following years, with Angie appearing in both the original "final episode" in 2022, and the first episodes of the 2023 continuation.
| Year | Title | Role | Episode/Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show | Guest (singing with Graham Kennedy) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1969–76 | Homicide | - Gloria Slater - Sadie Thompson - Jeannie Burke - Sister Catherine - April Brown - Jocelyn Davies - Mrs. Morton - Nora Jenkins | 8 episodes: "Triple Play" (#6.19), "An Welcomed Guest" (#6.44), "Expectations" (#8.30), "The Crossing (#11.1), "The Artful Dodger", "Brotherhood of Man" (#11.31), "Short Cut" (#12.32), "The Whole of the Law" (#13.6) |
| 1970–75 | Division 4 | - Junie Mullins - Thelma Shaw - Annie Kerr - Jean Whelan - Marcie White - Cassandra - Yvonne - Kay Hudson | 8 episodes: "Fizz" (#2.9), "Mad Monaghan" (#2.31), "Drop-Out" (#2.31) "Live Bait" (#3.26) "Backlash"(#6.2), "Parable" (#6.16), "Time Payment" (#7.5), "Friends - Who Needs 'Em?" (#7.36) |
| 1970 | The Long Arm | - The Nurse - Const. Brenda Davis | 2 episodes: "The Big Circle" (#1.8), "The Christmas Break"(##1.13) |
| 1971–76 | Matlock Police | - WPC Sue Rogers - Val Wilson - Judy Elliot - Babs Taylor - Marion Woods - Daphne - Dolly Robinson - Molly Atkins - Eileen Simpson | 9 episodes: "Tightrope" (#1.15), "Escape to Nowhere" (#1.25), "Smoke Screen" (#1.32), "Squaring Off" (#3.121), "Walk Like a Man" (#5.180), "Where the Trees Walk Down the Hill" (#5.184), "Cuckoos and Peaches" (#5.202), "No Problems" (#5.214), "Come to Mother" (#5.226) |
| 1974 | Rush | Episode: "They Faced all the Dangers, Those Bold Bushrangers" (#1.3) | |
| 1975 | The Last of the Australians | Ms. Ferguson | Episode: "Ashes to Ashes" (#2.4) |
| 1976 | Solo One | Mrs. Pickett | Episode: "My Bonnie" (#1.7) |
| Bellbird | Cheryl Turner #2 | ||
| Alvin Purple | Myrtle | Episode: "Ciao Alvin" (#1.13) | |
| 1977 | Bluey | Leslie Stewart | Episode: "Emma" (#1.15) |
| 1978 | Cop Shop | Mother | Episode 1.97 |
| 1979 | Skyways | Gladys Skinner (as Leslie Baker) | Episode: "Donny's Father" (#1.142) |
| 1979 | Prisoner (aka Prisoner: Cell Block H orCaged Women.) | Monica Ferguson | 36 episodes: 15–18, 29–60 |
| 1980 | Water Under the Bridge | Nurse Vickers | Miniseries |
| 1981 | I Can Jump Puddles | Matron | Miniseries |
| 1983 | Prisoner (aka Prisoner: Cell Block H orCaged Women.) | Belle 'Tinker' Peters | 3 episodes: 390–392 |
| 1984 | Carson's Law | Nurse | Episode: "Fallen into Darkness" |
| Special Squad | Chamber Maid | Episode: "Counterfeit Lady" (#1.5) | |
| 1986, 1988–89 | The Flying Doctors | - Mrs. Jackson - Lucy Somers | 5 episodes: "Sins of the Fathers" (#1.8), "Don't Tell Anyone" (#3.24), "Breaking the Drought (#4.8), "All You Need is Luck" (#4.11), "Rising Sundown (#5.6) |
| 1988 | The Bartons | Mrs. Davis | 2 episodes: "Half Time" (#1.3), "The Great Billycart Aid Rave" (#1.6) |
| 1992 | Boney | Boarding House Lady | Episode: Looks Can Kill" (#1.2) |
| 1993 | Phoenix | Woman Farmer (as Leslie Baker) | Episode: "In on the Joke" (#2.8) |
| 1997, 1998 | Good Guys, Bad Guys | - Rose - Ms. Pinney | 2 episodes: "Angel'’ (#1.11), "Naughty Bits (#2.5) |
| 1999 | Stingers | Maggie Robardi | Episode: "Just Acting" (#2.13) |
| 2000 | SeaChange | Mrs. Chatham | Episode: "Pipeline" (#3.5) |
| 2001 | Shock Jock | Rita | 3 episodes: "Exposure" (#1.3), "Mein Diary" (#1.5), "One for the Road" (#1.6) |
| 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004 | Blue Heelers | - Sheila O'Shaughnessy - Mrs. Flynn - Grandma Kenny - Irene Wilkes | 5 episodes: "Why Give People Rights? They Only Abuse Them" (#1.3), "Face Value (1.38), "The Civil Deed" (#4.41), "A Matter of Faith" (#8.37), "Reasonable Doubt: Live" (#11.12) |
| 2008–09 | City Homicide | Miriam Toffler | 2 episodes: "Taniwha" (#2.4), "In Wolf’s Clothing" (#3.17) |
| 2009 | The Librarians | Christine's aunt | Episode: "Romeos and Juliets" (#2.4) |
| 1995–96 2002–06, 2008, 2013, 2015 2017–19, 2022–23 | Neighbours | Angie Rebecchi | Regular / recurring role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Inanimate Objects | Sam Graham | Film |
| 2008 | Tea and Physics | Granny | Short film |
| 1993 | Body Melt | Mack | Feature film |
| 1992 | Spotswood (aka The Efficiency Expert) | Gwen | Feature film (as Leslie Baker) |
| 1987 | Slate, Wyn & Me | Molly | Feature film |
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Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi, commonly known as "Toadfish" or "Toadie", is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ryan Moloney. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 1995. Toadie was created by writer Elizabeth Packett. Moloney had previously auditioned for another role in the show and had played a minor character before being cast as Toadie. The actor was originally scheduled to play Toadie in one scene, but he went on to become a recurring cast member. When Toadie became popular with viewers, Moloney was promoted to the regular cast. In 2015, Moloney celebrated his 20th anniversary with Neighbours. The finale of the serial in 2022 focused on his character's wedding to Melanie Pearson, while the 2023 premiere of the revival focused on the character's wedding to Terese Willis.
Malcolm Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Benjamin McNair. Shortly after he was cast, McNair relocated to Melbourne to be closer to the studio. He admitted that it was a shock leaving his family and friends in Sydney. The older members of the cast eventually helped him feel more comfortable. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994, as he arrives on Ramsay Street with his parents and siblings. An early storyline for Malcolm was a romance with Danni Stark, to whom he lost his virginity. Other storylines explored a friendship with Stonefish Rebecchi, a career as a handyman and later, coffee chain salesman, and marriage to Catherine O'Brien. The character's departure aired on 11 March 1997. McNair made two brief returns in 2002 and 2004, and a year later he reprised his role for the show's 20th anniversary. In July 2011, Malcolm returns to help his parents with their marriage and has a brief affair with Jade Mitchell. McNair returned to Neighbours in October 2014 for the 20th anniversary of the Kennedys' introduction. He also reprised his role in July 2022 for the show's final episodes and again in 2023.
Billy Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jesse Spencer. He made his first appearance on 27 September 1994, arriving in Ramsay Street with his family. He departed on 5 April 2000, but made a small cameo for the show's 20th anniversary episode broadcast on 27 July 2005, and for the show's then final episode on 28 July 2022.
Kevin Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anthony Engelman. He made his first appearance on 31 March 1994. Stonefish was the first of the Rebecchi family to appear and he was later followed by his mother, father and brothers. The character left in 1996, but returned briefly in 2003. In 2007, Engelman reprised his character again and Stonefish returned to Ramsay Street. He departed on 28 August 2007. The character then returned for brief guest stints from 2015 until 2018.
Dione "Dee" Bliss is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Madeleine West. The actress received the role three days after securing an agent. West deferred her law degree studies to take the part. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 February 2000. The character proved popular with viewers and producers soon promoted her to the main cast. West decided to leave Neighbours at the end of her contract in 2003. She filmed her final scenes in April and Dee made her last appearance on 29 July 2003.
Stuart Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Blair McDonough. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 13 December 2001. Stuart lived with Toadfish Rebecchi and Connor O'Neill at number 30, during which time the house became known as "The House of Trouser". Stuart's storylines included becoming a policeman, temporarily losing his eyesight, joining a cult, which almost cost him his friendships, and marrying Sindi Watts. Stuart departed on 5 April 2006 after McDonough quit to pursue other projects. The actor reprised the role for three episodes from 13 February until 15 February 2018. Stu made an unannounced cameo appearance in the final episode on 28 July 2022.
Angie Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Lesley Baker. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 January 1995. Angie departed in 1996, but she returned for several weeks in 2002 and then in 2003 for her youngest son Toadie's wedding to Dee Bliss. The following year, Angie made another brief visit and she made a cameo in the 20th anniversary episode, which was broadcast in July 2005. The character returned again in 2006 and 2008. Baker reprised the role in February 2013, and again in August 2015. After a brief appearance in the Summer Stories webisodes in January 2017, Angie made guest returns in April and December 2017, on 12 February 2018, 11 March 2019 and in July 2022 for the show's finale. Angie came back for the first few episodes of the show’s return in 2023.
Callum Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by actor Morgan Baker. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 9 June 2008. The character was introduced to the show following the decision to stop a storyline that saw Toadfish Rebecchi adopt a child from Indonesia. Baker began filming his first scenes in March. Callum departed Neighbours on 12 June 2014, following Baker's decision to concentrate on his schooling. Baker reprised the role for a cameo appearance on 17 September 2015. He has made subsequent guest appearances from 7 June until 12 June 2017 and again from 20 February until 13 March 2019. In 2022 it was announced that Baker would once again reprise the role as part of the series finale.
Sonya Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Eve Morey. The actress auditioned for the role and began filming in June 2009. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 14 August 2009. Sonya was introduced as a recurring guest character and dog trainer for established character Toadfish Rebecchi. When producers noticed there was a good chemistry between the characters, Morey was promoted to the regular cast in July 2010.
Sheila Canning is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Colette Mann. The character was teased by the show's executive producer Richard Jasek in January 2012. The following month Mann's casting was announced. She had previously appeared in the soap in 1995 and 1996, temporarily taking over the role of Cheryl Stark for eight weeks. Mann made her debut screen appearance as Sheila during the episode broadcast on 3 May 2012. After taking a brief break to appear in a play, Mann was promoted to the regular cast. Sheila was created as a "warmer" version of 1980s character Nell Mangel and a resident stickybeak.
Shameless is a British comedy drama television programme created and executive produced by Paul Abbott. Set in Manchester on the fictional Chatsworth council estate, the show revolves around the dysfunctional working-class Gallagher family, depicting and commenting on English working-class life and culture.
Dipika 'Dipi' Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sharon Johal. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 April 2017. Johal originally auditioned for the role of Dipi's younger sister Mishti Sharma. Actress Scarlett Vas secured the role and producers changed Dipi to better suit Johal. Dipi is part of the extended Rebecchi family introduced into Neighbours, joining established regular character Toadfish Rebecchi. She is married to Shane Rebecchi and they move to Erinsborough with their two daughters Yashvi and Kirsha Rebecchi. She soon becomes the new owner of Harold's café.
Shane Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours. He was originally played by Greg O'Meara from his first appearance on 8 September 1994. Shane was introduced along with his parents and two younger brothers. His first stint in the show ends with him going to prison after committing a string of robberies, before escaping and trying to convince his brother Stonefish Rebecchi to hide him. Shane's exit scenes aired on 25 July 1995. The character was reintroduced 22 years later on 17 April 2017, with actor Nicholas Coghlan cast in the role. He was introduced along with his wife Dipi Rebecchi and daughters Yashvi Rebecchi and Kirsha Rebecchi, as part of a big expansion of the Rebecchi family. Executive producer Jason Herbison called Shane "one of the great untapped characters from Neighbours history".
Yashvi Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Olivia Junkeer. She was created when producers struggled to find the right male actor to play the Rebecchis' son, which resulted in them changing the character's gender at the last moment. Yashvi was introduced along with her parents, sister and aunt as part of an expansion of the serial's Rebecchi family. Junkeer auditioned for the role shortly after finishing her last year of school. She doubted she would win the part, as the producers thought she was too old for the role. However, she learned she had been cast in December 2016 and she started on set the following month. Junkeer was pleased to be representing fellow women of colour on Australian television and said her on-screen family represented her own mixed-race family. She made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 24 April 2017. Junkeer also played the role in the 2019 spin-off series Erinsborough High.