The cherished Australian actress Lorraine Bayly AM has passed away at the age of 89 following challenging health struggles. Her departure marks the end of an era for many who admired her vibrant contributions to the entertainment world.
Lorraine, famed for her role in “The Sullivans,” died on Saturday morning in a Sydney care facility. This news was confirmed by her friend and broadcaster, Craig Bennett, who shared the sad update.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Bennett expressed, “It’s with sorrow that we bid farewell to another showbiz icon—a genuine star of stage and screen, winner of three Logie Awards, and a treasured friend to many.”
Bennett continued, “Her beloved nephew, Brad Connelly, along with his wife Janelle, entrusted me with this news, asking me to announce it on behalf of the family, given our close friendship.”
Reflecting on her illustrious career, he noted, “Lorraine enjoyed a remarkable 62-year journey in the arts, gracing both stage and screen, until her retirement a decade ago.”
He fondly remembered her beginnings, sharing, “She once told me about her childhood in Narrandera, where she would joyfully sing and dance, using the curtains as her stage.”
Lorraine is best known for her role as matriarch Grace Sullivan in Nine’s drama The Sullivans from 1976 to 1979.
She also played the lead role of solicitor Jennifer Carson in television drama Carson’s Law from 1982 to 1984, as well as the character Faye Hudson in popular Channel Ten soap Neighbours.
She won three Silver Logies in 1978, 1979 and 1983 for Most Popular Actress in The Sullivans and Carson’s Law.
Lorraine Bayly AM passed away in a Sydney care home on Saturday morning
The 89-year-old had enjoyed a stellar 62-year career on stage and screen, until her retirement 10 years ago
Bennett acknowledged in his statement that Lorraine had battled serious health conditions during her retirement from acting.
‘After years of gruelling health issues, she’s now free and off onto her next wild adventure. Big block of chocolate in hand!’ he wrote.
‘LB was a self-confessed chocoholic!’
The actress opened up in 2021 about suffering from several health issues over the course of two years.
Lorraine was diagnosed with pneumonia in 2018, which led to a partially collapsed lung.
After recovering from pneumonia, she then discovered she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.
She completed her cancer treatment but spent a few months isolating at her home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I’ve spent the past two-and-a-half years going from one illness to another,’ she said at the time.
Lorraine (pictured with TV personality Paul Cronin in 2010) is best known for her role as matriarch Grace Sullivan in Nine’s drama The Sullivans from 1976 to 1979
Lorraine (2nd on the left) is pictured in the play ‘Rabbit Hole’ in Canberra in 2007
‘But I don’t complain because for the first 80-odd years of my life, I got through without any serious illness at all.
‘You look at the little kids on television who are fighting cancer and all sorts of problems… They’re the ones my heart breaks for.’
Before she was a household name, Bennett revealed Lorraine had started her career training at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre in the 1950s.
She played piano on radio, and made her TV debut on The Bobby Limb Show in 1962.
‘In 1966 she became an original presenter on Play School…and then came an avalanche of stage and screen roles,’ he said.
‘She worked with Kirk Douglas in The Man From Snowy River and Edward Woodward on stage.
‘Little-known fact: she hosted her own morning TV show, Clean As You Slim with Lorraine!’
Bennett told his followers Lorraine had passed away just a month after her 89th birthday.
‘She loved spending time with Brad, Janelle and their kids Laura and Patrick on their macadamia farm at Maclean Ridge,’ he said.
‘Every decade Lorraine would learn something new, from playing tennis to the saxophone, to ballroom dancing!’
Bennett concluded his comments by saying ‘Vale to a most kind, remarkable and beautiful person’.
