Elaine Smith (actress)
Elaine Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1962 Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Occupations | Television actress, school teacher |
| Notable work | Daphne Clarke in Neighbours |
| Spouse | Jonathan Biggins |
| Children | 2 |
Elaine Smith (born 23 April 1962) is a Scottish-Australian former actress, known for her role as Daphne Clarke in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1985 until 1988.
Early life
Smith was born in Largs, Scotland. Her family moved to Perth, Western Australia when she was young.[1]
Career
Smith auditioned for a guest role in new series Neighbours in 1984.[2] However her appearance, particularly her short spiky hair, caught the attention of the casting director and she was cast as regular character Daphne Lawrence.[2] Smith continued in the role until 1988.[3] Prior to this she had a small guest role in soap opera Sons and Daughters in 1984 as a flight attendant.
After leaving Neighbours, Smith guested as Jenny Rose in an episode of The Flying Doctors.[4] She starred in the 1991 miniseries Ratbag Hero as Mum, alongside Cameron Nugent and Marcus Graham.[5] In 1992, Smith joined the main cast of the revamped Flying Doctors series R.F.D.S. as Dr Sissy Wetherall.[6] Subsequent credits include State Coroner, Always Greener, and Home and Away.[3] She made two guest appearances in All Saints in August 2005 and March 2006.[3][7]
Smith later earned a teaching degree and became a Year 3 teacher at a Sydney primary school.[8] In 2025, Smith revealed that she had declined offers from Neighbours producers to either return as a ghost or a twin. She decided to retire from acting and is a private tutor for neurodiverse children.[9]
Personal life
Smith was in a relationship with her Neighbours co-star Peter O'Brien.[4]
She is married to actor and writer, Jonathan Biggins. The couple met while performing together in a Melbourne play.[10] Smith and Biggins have twin daughters, who were born in February 2000.[10]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Office Picnic | Feature film | |
| 1983 | The City's Edge | Extra | Feature film |
| 1984 | Every Picture Tells a Story: The Art Films Of James Scott | Female Striker | Feature film documentary, UK |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sons and Daughters | Air Stewardess | Guest role |
| 1984 | Carson's Law | Angela Watson | Episodes: "La Cenicienta", "All Is Fair" |
| 1985–1988 | Neighbours | Daphne Clarke | Regular role |
| 1986–1987 | It's a Knockout | Guest referee / Participant | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | The Flying Doctors | Jenny Rose | Episode: "Preacher Man" |
| 1988 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself | 1 episode (Red Faces segment) |
| 1989 | A Country Practice | Helen Grey | Episodes: "Sanctuary: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1990 | Flair | Megan | Recurring role |
| 1990 | The Paper Man | Celia Ward | Episodes: "Looking at the Stars", "Every Post a Winner" |
| 1991 | Ratbag Hero | Mum | Recurring role |
| 1993 | Bay City | Regular role | |
| 1993 | Time Trax | Claudine Baker | Episode: "Night of the Savage" |
| 1993 | R.F.D.S. | Dr. Sissy Wetherall | Regular role |
| 1995 | G.P. | Wendy Dowling | Episode: "Grown Ups" |
| 1996 | The Adventures of the Bush Patrol | Voice | Animated TV series |
| 1996–1998 | State Coroner | Dr. Julie Travers | Regular role |
| 1998 | Bullpitt! | Journalist | Episode: "Too Many Teds" |
| 1999 | Hububb | Rosa | Episode: "No Go Pogo" |
| 2001 | Wicked! | Eileen | Regular role |
| 2002 | Always Greener | Mrs. Slate | Episode: "Cliffhanger" |
| 2005, 2006 | All Saints | Joanne Miller | Episodes: "Immortal", "No Way Out" |
| 2006 | Home and Away | Grace Carter | Episode 4266 |
References
- ^ Rait, Noel (23 January 1988). "No regrets about leaving Neighbours". TV Radio Extra. Vol. 8, no. 366. pp. 4–5.
- ^ a b Oram, James (1988). Neighbours: Behind the Scenes. Angus & Robertson. p. 102. ISBN 0-207-16075-9.
- ^ a b c Richards, Holly (16 August 2010). "Neighbours: Where are they now?". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ a b Fidgeon, Patrice (2 April 1988). "Look who's flying into Doctors!". TV Week. p. 2.
- ^ Brown, David (18 August 1990). "Just look at them now!". TV Week. p. 3.
- ^ Abraham, Tierri (August 1992). "Elaine Smith and the return of The Flying Doctors". TV Soap. pp. 10–11.
- ^ Rigden, Clare (9–15 July 2005). "Hospital visits". TV Week. No. 28. p. 5.
- ^ "Neighbours' Daphne found! Elaine Smith's clever new role". Woman's Day. 3 April 2017. p. 24. Retrieved 13 October 2025 – via PressReader.
- ^ "Neighbours legend Elaine Smith reveals reason why she turned down soap return". Metro. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b Freeman-Greene, Suzy (24 October 2009). "Bit parts for parents". The Age. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
External links
- Elaine Smith at IMDb