Joan Sydney
Joan Sydney (born 5 September 1936)[1] is an English-Australian former actress, known for her work in radio, theatre, television serials, soap opera and films.
Joan Sydney | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 September 1936[1] London, England |
| Occupation | Actress on: |
| Years active | 1957, 1968-2013 |
| Known for | Maggie Sloane on A Country Practice (1983-1990, 1993) |
| Family | Maggie King (sister)[2] |
Sydney emigrated to Australia from London in 1965 and started her career in theatre, before appearing on the small screen, where her best known roles include soap operas including A Country Practice as Maggie Sloane, E Street as Mary Patchett, All Saints and Neighbours as Valda Sheergold. [3]
Biography
Early life
Joan Sydney was born in London, England, United Kingdom and has had a long career in all genres of the entertainment industry, including radio, television, mini-series and made for television films.
Career
After appearing on stage and film in her native England, Sydney made her screen debut in 1957 film When We Are Married. She emigrated to Perth, Western Australia in 1965,[4] where she has become a staple of the small screen since 1978. She remains best known for her long-running Logie Award-winning role as Maggie Sloan, the no-nonsense but compassionate matron of the fictional Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital in the Seven Network drama A Country Practice from 1983 until 1990. Sydney won the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her performance in 1989. Whilst appearing in A Country Practice she also starred in a movie-length pilot for a subsequently unmade series in 1987 called Sisterly Love.
In 1993, after twelve seasons on air, A Country Practice was abruptly cancelled, but the rival Network Ten picked it up soon afterwards. Production was relocated from Pitt Town, NSW to Emerald, Victoria and, after having spent time in England, Sydney returned as Matron.
In 1990, Sydney went on to another popular soap opera, E Street in the role of publican Mary Patchett.
In 2002 she joined the long-running serial Neighbours as Valda Sheergold, initially on a semi-regular recurring basis, before becoming a permanent member of the cast for the 2007–2008 season.
Apart from her more permanent roles she has also had guest roles in many other programs including sitcom Mother and Son, and dramas All Saints, Something in the Air and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
In 2013 she featured in the telemovie Cliffy, based on the life of Australian athlete Cliff Young.
Personal life
Sydney's son Tony Braxton-Smith, was the former CEO of Great Southern Rail.[5] Sydney is the sister of actress Maggie King.[2] Sydney having retired now resides in a nursing home in Healesville, Victoria alongside her sister actress Maggie King.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1957 | When We Are Married | Ruby Birtle |
| 1978 | The Scalp Merchant (TV movie) | |
| 1981 | Falcon Island | Mrs Yates |
| 1985 | One Summer Again | |
| 1986 | Hector's Bunyip (TV movie) | Maude Trembalt |
| 1986 | Departure | |
| 1987 | Flight in to Hell (miniseries) | |
| 1988 | Sisterly Love | Jean |
| 1989 | E Street | Mary Patchatt |
| 1992 | Mother and Son (TV series) | Merle MacDonald |
| 1983-1993 | A Country Practice (Seven Network series) | Matron Margaret "Maggie" Sloane |
| 1994 | Tracks of Glory | Mrs. Walker |
| 1994 | A Country Practice (Network Ten) | Margaret "Maggie" Morrison |
| 2000 | Something in the Air | Ruth Dooley |
| 2001 | All Saints | Mrs. Price |
| 2005 | Martie's Party (short) | Joan |
| 2002-2008 | Neighbours | Valda Sheergold; 150 episodes |
| 2008 | Your Turn (short) | Joan |
| 2009 | Thank God You're Here (TV series) | Additional cast |
| 2012 | Lowdown | Concierge |
| 2012 | Conspiracy 365 (TV series) | |
| 2013 | Cliffy (telemovie) | Cliff Young's mother |
| 2013 | Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries | Mother Aloysius |
Theatre (selected credits)
[4] Sydney has been a staple of theatre and has had roles in both England and then locally in Australia since 1968.
- Nunsense
- Cat on a Tot Tin Roof
- Talking Heads
- Dirty Dusters
- The Deckchair
Awards
- Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress for A Country Practice as Margaret "Maggie" Sloane
References
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Australian Showbiz".
- "A date with Joan Sydney and Maggie King".
- Paul Kalina. Fairfax Media https://www.theage.com.au/news/tv-reviews/neighbours/2008/03/27/271206207281825.html. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - "Joan Sydney".
- "Acting keeps Tony Braxton-Smith going off the rails". News Limited. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
External links
- Joan Sydney at IMDb