# Lorraine Bayly

Lorraine Daphne Bayly AM (born 16 January 1937) is an Australian retired actress of film, television and theatre, narrator, presenter, singer, dancer, pianist and theatre director, stage manager and writer.
Bayly has been a performer since she was a child, and became a professional actress in 1954, 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.
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.

## Early life

Bayly was born in Narrandera, New South Wales. Her first performance was at age 3, playing tambourine with the Salvation Army. At ages 5–9, she wrote, directed and starred in plays in the local jail; her father being a policeman, amateur magician and ventriloquist.
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.
At age 11–12, she played classical piano Saturday afternoons live on Radio 2UE.

## Career
### Theatre

Bayly was a founder with 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

### 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 extended family.

### 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.

## Honours & awards (selected)

| Association | Award | Year | Work | Results |
| Australian Government | Member of the Order of Australia | 2001 | | Honoured |
| Australian Variety | Variety's 100 Entertainer of the Century | 2006 | Lifetime honour | Honoured |
| Logie Awards | Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress | 1978 | The Sullivans as Grace Sullivan | Won |
| Logie Awards | Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress | 1979 | The Sullivans as Grace Sullivan | Won |
| Logie Awards | Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress | 1983 | Carson's Law as Jennifer Carson | Won |
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

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1965 | Birth of Jesus | Role unknown | Film short |
| 1967 | Heaven Help Us | Role unknown | Film short |
| 1975 | Ride a Wild Pony (aka Born to Run) | Mrs. Ellison | Feature film |
| 1980 | Fatty Finn | Maggie McGrath | Feature film |
| 1982 | The Man From Snowy River | Rosemary Hume | Feature film |
| 2014 | Locks of Love | Doris | Feature film |
| 2015 | To My One and Only | Doris | Film short |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1965 | Diary of a Plastic Surgeon | | Teleplay |
| 1966 | The Interpretaris | Verna Balovna | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 1966–76 | Play School | Presenter | TV series, 147 episodes |
| 1967 | Owly's School | Presenter | TV series |
| 1967–71 | Homicide | Moira Simmons / Jennifer Tracy / Margaret Stevens / Audrey Shepherd | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1967; 1968 | Hunter | Karen Savage / Sharon Reid / Diana Mannering | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1967 | Divorce Court | | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1969 | Division 4 | Jenny Noble / Linda Szabo | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1969 | The Rovers | Virginia Shaw | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1970 | The Link Men | | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1971 | Spyforce | Julia Carpenter | TV series, 1 episode: "The Bridge" |
| 1974 | Silent Number | Jackson | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976–79; 1980 | The Sullivans | Grace Sullivan | TV series, 594 episodes |
| 1978 | Case for the Defence | Sister Barrett | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1979 | The Wonderful World of Disney | James' wife | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1982 | 1915 | Helen Gilchrist | TV miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1982 | Smithy's Friends | | TV pilot |
| 1983–84 | Carson's Law | Jennifer Carson | TV series, 184 episodes |
| 1986 | The Challenge | Eileen Bond | TV miniseries, 6 episodes |
| 1988 | The Pandas | Narrator | Film documentary |
| 1988; 1990 | Rafferty's Rules | Gwen Forster / Audrey Shepherd | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1989 | A Country Practice | Jean Richmond | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Grim Pickings | Betsy Tender | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Home Brew | Edna Eustace | TV film |
| 1991–92 | Neighbours | Faye Hudson | TV series, 48 episodes |
| 1992 | The Adventures of Snugglepot, Cuddlepie and Ragged Blossom | Narrator | TV special |
| 1995 | Toddlers and their Thinking | Narrator | Film documentary |
| 1995 | G.P. | Pat Stoppard | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2001 | Pizza | The Fairy | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2004 | Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story | Avis | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2014 | When the Queen Came to Town | Narrator | TV documentary special |
| 2015 | The Jewel of the Mountains | Narrator | TV documentary |

### Television (as self)

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1966 | Be Our Guest | Host | TV series |
| 1968 | Marriage Confidential | Herself | TV series |
| 1977; 1978 | Sammy Awards | Guest | TV special |
| 1978 | The 20th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Silver Logie Winner | TV special |
| 1978; 1979; 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1978; 1983 | ABC News | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1979 | The 21st Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Silver Logie Winner | TV special |
| 1979; 1997 | This Is Your Life: Lorraine Bayly | Special guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1979 | Sammy Awards | Host | TV special |
| 1980 | Capriccio | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | What'll They Think of Next? | Panelist | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1982; 1983 | Parkinson in Australia | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1988 | Life Education Television Appeal | Guest | TV special |
| 1989 | Accentuate the Positive | Herself | Film documentary |
| 1989; 1990 | In Melbourne Today | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1989 | The Bert Newton Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | The Great TV Game Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990 | Burke's Backyard | Celebrity gardener | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990 | Working Actor Series | Herself | Film documentary |
| 1991 | Play School 25th Anniversary | Guest | TV special |
| 1991 | The Midday Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Tonight Live With Steve Vizard | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | New Faces | Guest judge | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992; 2012 | The Morning Show | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1992 | In Sydney Today | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | What's Cooking | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | Review | Guest presenter | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1993 | Real Life | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Midday with Derryn Hinch | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Ernie and Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994; 1995 | At Home | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Homicide... 30 Years On | Herself | TV special |
| 1995–2005 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series |
| 1995 | Ten News | Herself | TV 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 |
| 1995 | The Crawford Story | Herself | TV special |
| 1996 | Play School 30th Anniversary | Guest | TV special |
| 1996; 1997 | Monday to Friday | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1996 | 40 Years of TV Stars... Then and Now | Guest | TV special |
| 1997 | The 7.30 Report | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | Today | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2001 | People Dimensions | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2005 | Talking Heads | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2005 | 50 Years 50 Shows | Herself | TV special |
| 2005 | 50 Years 50 Stars | Herself | TV special |
| 2006; 2010 | Today Tonight | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2006-2010 | 20 to 1 | Herself | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2007; 2008 | Susie | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2011 | A Current Affair | Guest (with The Sullivans cast Paul Cronin, Andrew McFarlane & Steven Tandy) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014; 2015 | The Daily Edition | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2015; 2016 | Today Extra | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Big Ted's Excellent Adventure: 50 Years of Play School | Guest | TV special |
| 2018 | Sunday Night | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018 | Studio 10 | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |

## Stage

Source
| Year | Production | Role | Venue / Company |
| 1954 | The Desert Song | | Rockdale Town Hall |
| 1958 | Variations on Similar Themes | | Cammeray Children's Library, Theatre Institute, Sydney |
| 1958–60 | The Man | Ruth | Theatre Institute, Sydney, Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1959 | The Drunkard | The Child | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1960 | The Lonely Hearts | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1961 | The Buffalo Skinner | The Mother | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1962 | Fairytales of New York | All 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 |
| 1967 | Invitation to a March | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1968 | The Rimers of Eldritch | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1969 | The Daughter-in-Law | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1969 | Come Laughing Home | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1970 | We Bombed in New Haven | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1970 | Three Months Gone | Anna | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1971 | Who Killed Santa Claus? | | J. C. Williamson's |
| 1973 | Suddenly at Home | Sheila Wallis | Comedy Theatre Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's |
| 1973 | Queen of the Rebels | | Marian Street Theatre |
| 1974 | Who's Who | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1975 | The Male of the Species | | J. C. Williamson's |
| 1976 | Status Quo Vadis | | Ensemble Theatre, Sydney |
| 1980–81 | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | Mona Stangley | Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne with Cooke Hayden Price |
| 1982 | The Man From Snowy River | Rosemary Hume | |
| | The Last Yankee | | |
| 1991 | Gaslight | Bella | |
| 1992 | Dear Liar | Mrs Patrick Campbell | |
| 1996 | Rough Justice | Prosecutor 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 |