Home Australia Beloved Australian actress who appeared in A Country Practice and Sons and Daughters dead at 85

Beloved Australian actress who appeared in A Country Practice and Sons and Daughters dead at 85

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Veteran Australian television star Leila Hayes died in Sydney on Sunday after a long health battle.

Veteran Australian television star Leila Hayes died in Sydney on Sunday after a long health battle.

The beloved actress was born in Dimboola, regional Victoria, in 1940 and enjoyed a celebrated career spanning more than three decades in Australian film and television.

Hayes’ daughter Melissa confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on social media.

“This message is not easy to share and is done solely out of the great respect she had for all those who followed, worked or studied with her over the years,” Melissa began.

‘I am grateful to be there with her at that moment and for all the wonderful memories shared.

‘I’m sure she would be incredibly humbled by the overwhelmingly loving support. Thank you.’

Veteran Australian television star Leila Hayes died in Sydney on Sunday after a long health battle.

Many of Hayes’ famous friends were quick to share their tributes to the beloved actress.

“The memories of us working together on Sons & Daughters are wonderful and something I will cherish,” wrote Hayes’ former co-star Tom Richards.

“Leila meant a lot to me,” added Cop Shop star Stephen Comey.

Hayes began her long career as a singer on The Bert Newton Show in the early ’70s, before finding her true calling as a soap opera star.

He first appeared in the popular crime drama Matlock Police in 1971, and over the next three decades appeared in some of Australia’s most recognizable productions.

Some of her most famous roles included appearing on the Channel Seven soap opera Sons and Daughters from 1982 to 1987 as the popular character Beryl Palmer.

He also starred in A Country Practice, Prisoner and Cop Shop.

His last acting role was in 2005, in an Australian short film called Chasing Down the Dawn alongside Home and Away star Beccy Iland.

The beloved actress was born in Dimboola, regional Victoria, in 1940 and had a celebrated career spanning more than three decades in Australian film and television.

The beloved actress was born in Dimboola, regional Victoria, in 1940 and had a celebrated career spanning more than three decades in Australian film and television.

Hayes first appeared in the popular crime drama Matlock Police in 1971, and over the next three decades appeared in some of Australia's most recognizable productions.

Hayes first appeared in the popular crime drama Matlock Police in 1971, and over the next three decades appeared in some of Australia’s most recognizable productions.

Hayes worked with some of Australia’s most famous stars throughout his career, including Bert Newton, Michael Caton and John Wood.

In 1979, she founded her own acting school in Melbourne called Leila Hayes Drama Studio, where she helped budding actors hone their craft.

She remained active in her old age and often organized theater programs for her fellow seniors.

He received the NSW Premier Award for service to the community, in recognition of his long-standing commitment to using theater to help others.

Hayes married the love of her life, Ron Connelly, and had a son with him.

He is survived by his daughter Melissa, son-in-law Erik and two grandchildren.

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