Australian actress Wendy Playfair, best known for Prisoner, has died, just 5 months short of a 100th birthday.
Australian actress Wendy Playfair, best known for Prisoner, has died aged 99.
She passed away peacefully just 5 months short of a 100th birthday, after a career that spanned several decades across Australian theatre, television and radio.
On Prisoner she played Minnie Donovan, briefly a “Top Dog” of Wentworth Detention Centre, from 1983 – 1984 between Bea Smith’s exit and Myra Desmond’s entrance. As Top Dog Minnie started to “mother” everyone, teaching one prisoner some manners by confiscating her Walkman, and giving everyone pickpocketing lessons.
Wendy Playfair, was born in August 1926. While still at school, she joined Bryant’s Playhouse, and went on to study with other Little Theatres after she finished school, attending drama classes at night, while working an office job during the day. As radio work picked up, she gave up her office job and worked for the ABC in morning serials, and received radio’s Macquarie Award.
Her first screen credit was in 1960’s The Slaughter of St. Theresa’s Day.
She worked consistently in shows such as Homicide, Hunter, Matlock Police, The Evil Touch, Number 96, Father Dear Father in Australia, Glenview High, The Young Doctors, Bellamy, Carson’s Law plus Fortress, Return to Eden, A Country Practice, Big Sky, All Saints, Home & Away, Spirited, Laid, Rake and Packed to the Rafters.
She also has had parts in telemovies and films including Ride a Wild Pony (aka Harness Racing), the only Walt Disney film ever produced in Australia and a pivotal role in the film Accidents Happen, opposite Geena Davis in 2009.
Talking Prisoner‘s Matt Batten said of a recent podcast, “It was an absolute honour to spend time with such a gracious, intelligent and elegant woman who shared wonderful stories about her life and career in the industry. Wendy was deeply respected by her peers and loved by audiences. Her contribution to Australian entertainment will never be forgotten.”