The Sullivans and Play School star dies aged 89
Australian actor Lorraine Bayly, who plays beloved matriarch Grace the Sullivans and also appeared Play School And Carson’s LawHe died at the age of 89.
The multiple Logie Award winner passed away at a Sydney aged care home on Saturday morning, according to friend and 2GB reporter Craig Bennett.
He started his career with a variety show in 1962. Bobby Limb Show, By 1966 Bayly had established himself on the big screen as one of the programme’s original presenters, captivating and entertaining Australia’s youngest TV viewers. Play School.
But then came the role of Grace Sullivan, which she played in nearly 600 episodes, establishing her as “Australia’s mother” before her character died in a tear-jerking moment of television: the character killed when a German V-1 plane exploded in London while visiting her injured son John.
Although he is known for his storied 62-year career on stage and screen, one of Bayly’s most impressive qualities was his ability to continue learning new things long after he retired from acting, Bennett said.
“She was vibrant and beautiful as a person. She was so kind and generous to so many people,” he said.
“Every decade in his life he would challenge himself with something new; I remember many years ago he took up tennis and became such a great tennis player that he nearly beat John Newcombe to the ball.
“Then he’d practice the saxophone… learn ballroom dancing, then he’d go and learn French. He kept himself completely active, mentally and physically.”
Bayly chose to leave the Sullivans In 1979, he became Australia’s highest-paid TV actor. Television Times.
She played the lead role of progressive and opinionated lawyer Jennifer Carson. Carson’s Law, He also follows the matches The Man from the Snowy River, Neighbors And A Country Application.
Bayly retired from acting a decade ago and faced a number of significant health issues in her later years, including a collapsed lung due to pneumonia in 2018 and breast cancer that required a mastectomy.
Steven Tandy portrays Bayly’s on-screen son, Tom. the SullivansHe said the actor captured the hearts of many with his “unforgettable portrayal” of the head of the family.
“She was the most selfless of people, always down-to-earth and loving, yet not without an almost girlish vivacity,” she said in a post on social media.
“I truly loved her, adored her, and was so grateful for the close friendship we shared. Fly high, beautiful lady. You’re done.”
Bayly’s husband, journalist Steve O’Baugh, died in Los Angeles in 1996 at the age of 47.
He is survived by his nephew Brad Connelly, his wife Janelle, and their children Laura and Patrick.
