Lorraine Bayly

Last updated

Lorraine Bayly
AM
Lorraine Bayly.jpg
Lorraine Bayly in 2012, at the premier of Annie (musical)
Born
Lorraine Daphne Bayly

(1937-01-16) 16 January 1937 (age 87)
Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia
Occupations
  • Film television and theatre actress
  • presenter
  • pianist
  • singer
  • dancer
  • theatre founder
  • director
  • stage manager
  • writer
Years active1940–2018
Known for

Lorraine Daphne Bayly AM (born 16 January 1937) is an Australian actress of film, television and theatre, narrator, presenter, singer, dancer, pianist and theatre director, stage manager and writer. [1]

Contents

Bayly has been a performer since she was a child, and became a professional actress in 1954, [1] having started as a theatre performer. She is perhaps best known to small screen audiences for her soap opera roles, especially in the World War II period-piece drama The Sullivans as matriarch Grace Sullivan, as well as roles in legal drama Carson's Law as Jennifer Carson and briefly in serial Neighbours as Faye Hudson, the sister of patriarch Doug Willis played by Terence Donovan. [2]

She is well-known also for having been a presenter of children's television series Play School as an original presenter in 1966 until 1978. [3]

Early life

Bayly was born in Narrandera, New South Wales. Her first performance was at age 3, playing tambourine with the Salvation Army. [4] [5] At ages 5–9, she wrote, directed and starred in plays in the local jail; her father being a policeman, amateur magician and ventriloquist. [6]

At age 9–10, she had her own ventriloquist act which 35 years later she performed on The Parkinson Show in 1983, using host Michael Parkinson as her dummy. [7]

At age 11–12, she played classical piano Saturday afternoons live on Radio 2UE. [6]

Career

Theatre

Bayly was a founder witth Hayes Gordon of the Ensemble Theatre at Kirribilli. She has appeared in professional theatre since 1954, her roles including Chase Me Comrade with Stanley Baxter, playing Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller's The Last Yankee, Sheila in John Misto's Shoehorn Sonata, Mrs Patrick Campbell in Dear Liar, Margaret in Rough Justice, D H Lawrence's The Daughter-in-Law, David Williamson's Travelling North and Birthrights, Bella in Gaslight and The Male of The Species with Edward Woodward. In 2010 Bayly starred in the well known play Calendar Girls and more recently in David Williamson's When Dad Married Fury and The Sound of Music [1]

Television

listed among Lorraine Bayly's many television credits: The miniseries 1915 (ABC), The Challenge playing Eileen Bond, in Grim Pickings (SAFC) as Betsy Tander and as Lindy Chamberlain's mother Avis Murchison in Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story. She was also a popular presenter and original cast member on the children's television show Play School from 1966 to 1978.

Bayly is perhaps best known to television audiences for her portrayal in the drama series The Sullivans (1976–1979), as the motherly Grace Sullivan dealing with life for an ordinary Australian family during the Second World War.

From 1982 to 1984, Bayly played the lead role of in another period television drama Carson's Law as progressive lawyer Jennifer Carson set in 1920s Melbourne. The episodes revolved around the cases taken on by Jennifer and the various personal intrigues of her family. The series also starred Kevin Miles as Jennifer's father-in-law Godfrey Carson and Gregg Caves, as Billy Carson. The series Carson's Law was written specifically for Bayly.

From 1991 to 1992, Bayly appeared in serial Neighbours as Faye Hudson. Faye was a "busybody" who moved in with her brother Doug Willis Terence Donovan and his family. [2]

Film

Lorraine Bayly's film roles include Fatty Finn (AFI nominated), Ride a Wild Pony for Disney and The Man From Snowy River alongside acting legend Kirk Douglas.

Retirement

In 2019 Bayly retired from acting due to numerous health problems. [8]

Honours & awards (selected)

AssociationAwardYearWorkResults
Australian Government Member of the Order of Australia 2001Honoured
Australian VarietyVariety's 100 Entertainer of the Century2006Lifetime honourHonoured
Logie Awards Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress 1978 The Sullivans as Grace SullivanWon
Logie Awards Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress 1979 The Sullivans as Grace SullivanWon
Logie Awards Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress 1983 Carson's Law as Jennifer CarsonWon

Bayly was made a Member of the Order of Australia by The Queen in the Australia Day Honours List 2001.

She has won 10 awards from 14 nominations including three Silver Logies in 1978, 1979 and 1983 for Most Popular Actress in The Sullivans and Carson's Law respectively. She was also named in "Australian Variety's 100 Entertainers of the Century" in 2006.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleType
1965Birth of JesusRole unknownFilm short
1967Heaven Help UsRole unknownFilm short
1975 Ride a Wild Pony (aka Born to Run)Mrs. EllisonFeature film
1980 Fatty Finn Maggie McGrathFeature film
1982 The Man From Snowy River Rosemary HumeFeature film
2014Locks of LoveDorisFeature film
2015To My One and OnlyDorisFilm short

Television

YearTitleRoleType
1965Diary of a Plastic SurgeonTeleplay
1966 Be Our Guest HostTV series
1966 The Interpretaris Verna BalovnaTV series, 6 episodes
1966-1976 Play School PresenterTV series, 147 episodes
1967-1971 Homicide Moira Simmons / Jennifer Tracy / Margaret Stevens / Audrey ShepherdTV series, 4 episodes
1967Owly's SchoolPresenterTV series
1967 Hunter Karen SavageTV series, 1 episode
1967 Divorce Court TV series, 1 episode
1968 Hunter Sharon ReidTV series, 1 episode
1968 Hunter Diana ManneringTV series, 1 episode
1968Marriage ConfidentialHerselfTV series
1969 Division 4 Jenny NobleTV series, 1 episode
1969 Division 4 Linda SzaboTV series, 1 episode
1969 The Rovers Virginia ShawTV series, 1 episode
1970 The Link Men TV series, 1 episode
1971 Spyforce Julia CarpenterTV series, 1 episode: "The Bridge"
1974 Silent Number JacksonTV series, 1 episode
1976-1979; 1980 The Sullivans Grace SullivanTV series, 594 episodes
1977 Sammy Awards GuestTV special
1978CapriccioGuestTV series, 1 episode
1978 The 20th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Guest - Silver Logie WinnerTV special
1978; 1979 The Mike Walsh Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1978 Case for the Defence Sister BarrettTV series, 1 episode
1978; 1983 ABC News HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1978 Sammy Awards GuestTV special
1979 The 21st Annual TV Week Logie Awards Guest - Silver Logie WinnerTV special
1979 The Wonderful World of Disney James' wifeTV series, 2 episodes
1979 The Mike Walsh Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1979; 1997 This Is Your Life: Lorraine Bayly Special GuestTV series, 1 episode
1979 Sammy Awards Host:TV special
1980What'll They Think of Next?PanelistTV series, 1 episode
1982; 1983 Parkinson in Australia GuestTV series, 1 episode
1982 1915 Helen GilchristTV miniseries, 4 episodes
1982Smithy's FriendsTV pilot
1983-1984 Carson's Law Jennifer CarsonTV series, 184 episodes
1983 ABC News HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1983 Parkinson in Australia Guest (with Lorrae Desmond & Rowena Wallace)TV series, 1 episode
1984 The Mike Walsh Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1986 The Challenge Eileen BondTV miniseries, 6 episodes
1988The PandasNarratorFilm documentary
1988 Rafferty's Rules Gwen ForsterTV series, 1 episode
1988Life Education Television AppealGuestTV special
1989Accentuate the PositiveHerselfFilm documentary
1989 In Melbourne Today GuestTV series, 1 episode
1989 A Country Practice Jean RichmondTV series, 2 episodes
1989 The Bert Newton Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1989The Great TV Game ShowGuestTV series, 1 episode
1989 Grim Pickings Betsy TenderTV miniseries, 2 episodes
1989Home BrewEdna EustaceTV film
1990 Burke's Backyard Celebrity GardnerTV series, 1 episode
1990 In Melbourne Today GuestTV series, 1 episode
1990Working Actor SeriesHerselfFilm documentary
1990 Rafferty's Rules Audrey ShepherdTV series, 1 episode
1991 Play School 25th Anniversary GuestTV special
1991 The Midday Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1991 Tonight Live With Steve Vizard GuestTV series, 1 episode
1991-1992 Neighbours Faye HudsonTV series, 48 episodes
1992 New Faces Guest JudgeTV series, 1 episode
1992The Adventures of Snugglepot, Cuddlepie and Ragged BlossomNarratorTV special
1992 The Morning Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
1992In Sydney TodayGuestTV series, 1 episode
1992 What's Cooking GuestTV series, 1 episode
1992ReviewGuest PresenterTV series, 1 episode
1993 Real Life GuestTV series, 1 episode
1994 Midday with Derryn Hinch GuestTV series, 1 episode
1994Ernie and DeniseGuestTV series, 1 episode
1994 At Home GuestTV series, 1 episode
1994Homicide... 30 Years OnHerselfTV Special
1995 At Home GuestTV series, 1 episode
1995-2005 Good Morning Australia GuestTV series
1995Toddlers and their ThinkingNarratorFilm documentary
1995 Ten News HerselfTV series, 1 episode
1995 Sale of the Century: Battle of the TV Classics Contestant (with The Sullivans cast Paul Cronin, Andrew McFarlane & Susan Hannaford)TV series, 1 episode
1995The Crawford StoryHerselfTV special
1995 G.P. Pat StoppardTV series, 1 episode
1996 Play School 30th Anniversary GuestTV special
1996Monday to FridayGuestTV series, 1 episode
199640 Years of TV Stars... Then and NowGuestTV special
1997 The 7.30 Report HerselfABC TV series, 1 episode
1997Monday to FridayGuestTV series, 1 episode
1997 This Is Your Life GuestTV series, 1 episode
1998 Today GuestTV series, 1 episode
2001 The 43rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself - Audience memberTV special
2001 Pizza The FairyTV series, 1 episode
2001People DimensionsGuestTV series, 1 episode
2004 Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story AvisTV miniseries, 2 episodes
2005Talking HeadsGuestABC TV series, 1 episode
2006-2010 20 to 1 HerselfTV series, 6 episodes
200650 Years 50 StarsHerselfTV special
2007; 2008 Susie GuestTV series, 2 episodes
2010 Today Tonight GuestTV series, 1 episode
2011 A Current Affair Guest (with The Sullivans cast Paul Cronin, Andrew McFarlane & Steven Tandy)TV series, 1 episode
2011 Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation ContestantTV series, 1 episode
2012 The Morning Show GuestTV series, 1 episode
2014 The Daily Edition GuestTV series, 1 episode
2014When the Queen Came to TownNarratorTV documentary special
2015The Jewel of the MountainsNarratorTV documentary
2015 The Daily Edition GuestTV series, 1 episode
2015; 2016 Today Extra GuestTV series, 1 episode
2016Big Ted's Excellent Adventure: 50 Years of Play SchoolGuestTV special
2016 Today Extra GuestTV series, 1 episode
2018 Sunday Night GuestTV series, 1 episode
2018 Studio 10 GuestTV series, 1 episode

Stage

Source [1]

YearProductionRoleVenue / Company
1954 The Desert Song Rockdale Town Hall
1958Variations on Similar ThemesCammeray Children's Library, Theatre Institute, Sydney
1958–60The ManRuthTheatre Institute, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1959 The Drunkard The Child Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1960The Lonely Hearts Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1961The Buffalo SkinnerThe Mother Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1962Fairytales of New YorkAll female roles Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1963 The Season at Sarsaparilla Judy Pogson Theatre Royal, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's / Elizabethan Theatre Trust
1964 Mary, Mary Tiffany Richards Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's
1965 The Rehearsal Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1965 Chase Me Comrade Nancy Rimmington Theatre Royal, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's
1967Invitation to a March Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1968 The Rimers of Eldritch Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1969 The Daughter-in-Law Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1969Come Laughing Home Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1970 We Bombed in New Haven Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1970 Three Months Gone Anna Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1971Who Killed Santa Claus? J. C. Williamson's
1973Suddenly at HomeSheila Wallis Comedy Theatre Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's
1973Queen of the Rebels Marian Street Theatre
1974Who's Who Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1975The Male of the Species J. C. Williamson's
1976Status Quo Vadis Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1980–81 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Mona Stangley Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne with Cooke Hayden Price
1982The Man From Snowy RiverRosemary Hume
The Last Yankee
1991 Gaslight Bella
1992 Dear Liar Mrs Patrick Campbell
1996Rough JusticeProsecutor Margaret Casely Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
1997 Death of a Salesman Linda Loman Sydney Opera House
1999 The Shoe-Horn Sonata Sheila
2000 Travelling North Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
2003 Birthrights Margaret Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney,
2007 Rabbit Hole Nat Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Playhouse, Canberra
2010 Calendar Girls Jessie Lyric Theatre, Brisbane Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
2012 When Dad Married Fury Judy Ensemble Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal, Sydney
2015 The Shoe-Horn Sonata Sheila Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
2015–16 The Sound of Music Frau Schmidt Regent Theatre, Melbourne, Crown Theatre, Perth, Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, Festival Theatre, Adelaide

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorraine Bracco</span> American actress (born 1954)

Lorraine Bracco is an American actress best known for her performances as psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi on the HBO crime drama series The Sopranos (1999–2007) and for her breakthrough role portraying Karen Hill in the Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas (1990). Bracco began her career modeling in France and appeared in Italian-language films in the 1980s. Her English-language debut came in The Pick-up Artist (1987), which was followed by roles in Someone to Watch Over Me (1987), Sing (1989), and The Dream Team (1989). She has been nominated for an Academy Award, four Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colleen Dewhurst</span> Canadian-American actress (1924–1991)

Colleen Rose Dewhurst was a Canadian-American actress mostly known for theatre roles. She was a renowned interpreter of the works of Eugene O'Neill on the stage, and her career also encompassed film, early dramas on live television, and performances in Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival. One of her last roles was playing Marilla Cuthbert in the Kevin Sullivan television adaptations of the Anne of Green Gables series and her reprisal of the role in the subsequent TV series Road to Avonlea. In the United States, Dewhurst won two Tony Awards and four Emmy Awards for her stage and television work. In addition to other Canadian honors over the years, Dewhurst won two Gemini Awards for her portrayal of Marilla Cuthbert; once in 1986 and again in 1988. It is arguably her best known role because of the Kevin Sullivan produced series’ continuing popularity and also the initial co-production by the CBC; allowing for rebroadcasts over the years on it, and also on PBS in the United States. The initial broadcast alone was seen by millions of viewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deborah Mailman</span> Australian actress

Deborah Jane Mailman is an Australian television and film actress, and singer. Mailman is known for her characters: Kelly Lewis on the Australian drama series The Secret Life of Us, Cherie Butterfield in the Australian comedy-drama series Offspring, Lorraine in the Australian drama series Redfern Now and Aunt Linda in the Australian dystopian science fiction series Cleverman. Mailman portrayed the lead role of MP Alexandra "Alex" Irving on the Australian political drama series Total Control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorraine Toussaint</span> Trinidadian-American actress (born 1960)

Lorraine Toussaint is a Trinidadian-American actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Black Reel Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Janet Andrewartha is an Australian television and theatre actress. Andrewartha began her career as a music teacher before attending drama school. She graduated in 1979and began securing television and theatre roles.

Sue McIntosh is an Australian television actress, presenter and journalist.

Amanda Root is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her starring role as Anne Elliot in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Persuasion. A familiar face on both stage and screen, she worked regularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company during her early career, performing as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, among other roles. In 2009, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Sarah in Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests.

Louise Elizabeth Goddard, professionally known as Liza Goddard, is an English television and stage actress, best known for her work in the 1970s and 1980s.

Alexandra "Alex" Lovell is an English television presenter, actress, newsreader and voice-over artist who is employed by ITV West Country. Her previous roles include stage and television acting, and she presented or co-presented the regional news programme BBC Points West from 2005 until 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaynor Faye</span> English actress (born 1971)

Gaynor Kay Mellor, known professionally as Gaynor Faye, is an English actress and writer. She played Judy Mallett in television soap opera Coronation Street from 1995 until 1999 and Megan Macey in Emmerdale from 2012 until 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justine Clarke</span> Australian actress and singer

Justine Clarke is an Australian actress, singer, author and television host.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Ward-Lealand</span> New Zealand actor and director

Jennifer Cecily Ward-Lealand is a New Zealand theatre and film actor, director, teacher and intimacy coordinator. She has worked for 40 years, appearing in over 120 theatre performances: Greek, Shakespeare, drama, comedy, devised, and musical theatre. Her screen credits include the 1993 movie Desperate Remedies as well as appearances in The Footstep Man, the soap Shortland Street and Australian comedy series Full Frontal.

Gary Day is a New Zealand former actor, playwright and lighting director who has appeared in Australian television police drama series, including Homicide and Murder Call.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pamela Rabe</span> Canadian-born Australian actress

Pamela Rabe is a Canadian–Australian actress and theatre director. A graduate of the Playhouse Acting School in Vancouver, Rabe is best known for her appearances in the Australian films Sirens, Cosi and Paradise Road, and for starring as Joan Ferguson in the television drama series Wentworth.

The Penguin Award was an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia. It was founded in 1954. The award trophy depicts an ear listening to a television tube, but strongly resembles a penguin, hence the name. The award was designed by Des White, an artist and designer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Denise Roberts, is an Australian actress, director, and founder of film and television acting school Screenwise in Sydney. She is known for her roles on TV in 1980s-90s medical drama G.P. and 2009 series Packed to the Rafters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacki Weaver</span> Australian actress

Jacqueline Ruth Weaver is an Australian theatre, film, and television actress. Weaver emerged in the 1970s Australian New Wave through her work in Ozploitation films such as Stork (1971), Alvin Purple (1973), and Petersen (1974). She later starred in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Caddie (1976), Squizzy Taylor (1982), and a number of television films, miniseries, and Australian productions of plays such as Death of a Salesman and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Alister Smart also credited as Alastair Smart, is an Australian retired television presenter, actor, television director and screenwriter from. A staple of the small screen, he appeared in productions in England, before returning to Australia, and had roles in television plays, telefilms and soap opera/serials with numerous credits from the late 1950s until the mid-1990s.

Jemma Donovan is an English-Australian actress. She made her on-screen debut in the BBC television film Mr Stink when she was 12 years old. In 2015, Donovan played Maddy Bastière in the French-American series Spotless. After relocating to Australia, Donovan joined the regular cast of Neighbours as Harlow Robinson. Three members of her family had previously starred in the soap opera, including her father Jason Donovan. She made her debut July 2019 and also appeared in the spin-off series Neighbours: Erinsborough High. She left the serial in July 2022. Shortly after moving back to the United Kingdom, Donovan secured the role of "party girl" Rayne Royce who died from being pushed in her swimming pool by an unknown character in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Lorraine Bayly". AusStage.
  2. 1 2 Dempsey, Shelley (20 June 1992). "Airwaves". The Sun-Herald . Fairfax Media . Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  3. "Presenters".
  4. "Lorraine Bayly joins the cast of The Sound of Music with Cameron Daddo and Marina Prior". The Daily Telegraph. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  5. Lorraine Bayly interview for The Daily Show, Dec 2015 , retrieved 20 December 2023
  6. 1 2 "Nostalgia Week: Lorraine Bayly | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  7. "Where are they now? Lorraine Bayly starring in The Sound of Music". WYZA. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  8. Duck, Siobhan (30 January 2021). "Lorraine Bayly on the health issues forcing her to retire from acting". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2023.