Born in New South Wales on 16 January 1937, Lorraine Bayly was an actress, director, puppeteer, narrator, writer, stage manager and musician. She began her love of performing when she was just five years of age, writing, directing and acting in plays for the local jail!
She was giving classical piano recitals for the radio station 2UE at eleven and twelve and would go on to host the children's television show Play School between 1966 and 1978. Her best known television roles were those of Grace Sullivan in The Sullivans and Jennifer Carson in Carson's Law, a role which was written specially for her. She was also a regular on Neighbours and had guest roles on A Country Practice, G.P. and other programs.
Lorraine's theatre credits were extensive, spending many, many years, at various times in her life, with The Ensemble Theatre. She also worked for J.C. Williamson's between 1963 and 1975. She is also remembered for her performance in 1980-81 as the brothel madam Mona in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In 2015 she played the role of Frau Schmidt in the fiftieth anniversary production of The Sound of Music, the role also celebrating her fiftieth stage show.
Her movie credits included The Man From Snowy River and Fatty Finn.
In 1979 Lorraine was honoured with her episode of This Is Your Life.
She won two Silver Logie Awards, two Sammy Awards, both for her roles as Grace Sullivan and Jennifer Carson, a Penguin Award, and in 2001 she was made a member of the Order of Australia. 2006 saw her receive Variety's 100 Performer of the Century.
When she was seventy she learned to play tennis and within two years had qualified for the World Masters Games in 2009.
Lorraine passed away aged eighty-nine in a care home in Sydney on 28 February 2026.
