Moya O'Sullivan

Moya O'Sullivan Macarthur (8 June 1926 – 16 January 2018)^[1] was an Australian-born actress who worked both locally and briefly in the United Kingdom. She was best known for her long-running role as the popular character Marlene Kratz in the soap opera Neighbours between 1994 and 1997.^[2]

O'Sullivan was born to Eugene and Nancy O'Sullivan (née Morgan) and had an older brother, Peter. She was raised in the Sydney suburb of Randwick.^[3] Having graduated from school, she was tutored in drama classes under Dorothy Hemingway and started her career as a stage performer in the 1950s with the Mosman Theatre Company.^[3]

O'Sullivan trained in radio under Rosalind Kennerdale, and through her, gained agent John Cover, the husband of actress Queenie Ashton, who had a company, Central Casting.^[3] She received her first acting role in a Caltex Theatre production of Chance of a Ghost on 2GB and 4BH.^[4] O'Sullivan appeared in numerous other radio productions, such as Dr. Paul, When a Girl Marries, Blue Hills, In a Sunburnt Country and Life with Dexter.^[3]

With the advent of television, O'Sullivan became a familiar face in televised plays, as well as featuring in television advertisements. She made her debut in 1960 in the ABC production Farewell, Farewell Eugene,^[3] and appeared in The Slaughter of St Teresa's Day.^[3] She then began appearing in Australian soap operas and serials, beginning in 1961 with the daytime soap The Story of Peter Gray, playing the role of Anne Vail.^[3]

In the mid-1960s, O'Sullivan tried her luck in the United Kingdom, where she featured in radio, television and on the West End stage circuit.^[3] Notable credits included James Patrick Donleavy's production A Singular Man, in which she played the role of Mrs Martin^[3] and Miss Sheily in a 1964 BBC Television of The Harp in the South.^[3]

O'Sullivan returned to Australia in 1965, where she featured in the theatrical production Inadmissible Evidence, alongside Anne Haddy.^[3] Her television roles included playing Mrs Mason in the 1960s original series of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo,^[5] guesting in Homicide and Matlock Police and playing the recurring role of Eileen Vickers in Division 4.^[3]

In 1975, O'Sullivan had a three-month stint in the serial Number 96 playing the prominent role of Phyllis Pratt.^[3] She then featured in medical soap opera The Young Doctors opposite Paula Duncan and Gwen Plumb,^[3] before making guest appearances as Lorna Close in Crawford Productions police drama Cop Shop.^[3] Her character was mother to Valerie Close-Johnson (Joanna Lockwood), mother-in-law to Jeffrey Johnson and eventual wife of Eric O'Reilly (Terry Norris).^[6][3]

After leaving Cop Shop in 1982,^[3] O'Sullivan featured in Sons and Daughters as Aileen Keegan. She appeared in Patrol Boat, Kingswood Country, 1986 miniseries Whose Baby^[3] and had several guest roles in A Country Practice throughout the 1980s. She played Grandma Lois Kelly in Hey Dad..!,^[7] and had further guest roles in Bodysurfer, G.P., Water Rats, Home and Away, Blue Heelers and All Saints.^[3] From 1992 to 1993, she had a regular role in the Skippy reboot, The Adventures of Skippy, as Thelma Woods.^[5]

In 1994, O'Sullivan secured an ongoing role on long-running soap opera Neighbours as Marlene Kratz, bringing her international recognition.^[3] Her character was mother to Cheryl Stark (played by Caroline Gillmer) and she shared scenes with Tom Oliver, Richard Grieve and Kimberley Davies. She departed the series in 1997,^[3] when her character went on a three month cruise.^[8] In 2005, alongside many other former cast members, O'Sullivan reprised the role of Kratz, for a reunion special, commemorating Neighbours' 20th anniversary.^[9]

O'Sullivan continued acting throughout the 2000s, with a role in Home & Away in 2002, and several guest appearances in All Saints in 2001 and 2008. She never held any other long-standing roles; remaining a well-recognised guest artist, who often played hapless old grannies in her later years. In 2004, she performed in the stage show Leading Ladies: Off the Cuff alongside Carmen Duncan, Judy Nunn, Rowena Wallace and Justine Saunders.^[3]

O'Sullivan's final role was in Tricky Business in 2012.^[3] The following year, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Glugs Theatrical Awards.^[3]

O'Sullivan was married to Ben Macarthur until their divorce.^[3] She frequently undertook volunteer work, particularly in schools.^[3]

O'Sullivan died aged 91 in Bondi Junction, Sydney on 16 January 2018.^[1] Her funeral was held at St Joseph's Church in Edgecliff.^[8] She was survived by her sister-in-law Kaaren, nephew Mark, nieces Cait and Bridget and two grandchildren.^[3]

• Moya O'Sullivan at IMDb