Betty Bobbitt
| Betty Bobbitt | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Betty Ann Bobbitt February 7, 1939 Manhattan, New York City |
| Occupation |
Actress singer playwright |
| Years active | 1958- |
| Spouse(s) | Robin Hill (artist) (divorced) |
| Website | Betty Bobbitt official website |
Betty Ann Bobbitt, (born February 7, 1939), is an American Australian television and film actress, singer and playwright. She remains best known for her role as dependable motherly character Judy Bryant in cult series Prisoner (also known in the UK and USA as Prisoner: Cell Block H and Canada as Caged Women)
Career
Born in Manhattan, New York and claimed to be raised in a town called Big Bear in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bobbitt attended a Catholic Grammar school, before deciding on an acting career, after attending Norristown High School beginning her entertainment career in Australia began shortly after arrival in the country when she was hired to appear as a regular on a Melbourne television variety show, Daly At Night, in 1962, she came to Australia at request of compere John thin Daly, who had spotted her singing in a Los Angeles nightclub, she subsequently married an Australian artist and had a son Christopher in England.[1] She later appeared in many stage productions with the Melbourne Theatre Company. She has been a fixture of Australian television since the 1970s with roles in soap opera Matlock Police, Homicide, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, All Saints and Blue Heelers.
However, Bobbitt became best known for her portrayal of lesbian character Judy Bryant in the popular Australian television series, Prisoner. She first appeared in the series in February 1980. Her character was intended for a short-term appearance, but she became immensely popular, and was retained in the series. Bobbitt continued in the role until May 1985, making her one of the show's longest serving characters.
After leaving the series, she continued with theatre roles, made several guest-starring television appearances, and appeared in a few film roles. She subsequently appeared in cameo roles in Crocodile Dundee II and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (a.k.a.Crocodile Dundee III). She recently appeared in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Cruel & Tender by Martin Crimp.
Bobbitt also performed with fellow Prisoner cast members Colette Mann and Jane Clifton in a three-woman troupe named The Mini Busettes in the 1980s. They performed around Australia in RSL clubs.
In 2004, Bobbitt made a brief uncredited appearance in the American television remake of the Stephen King classic, Salem's Lot, and in 2010 in a thriller, Torn.
In 2011, Bobbitt self-published her book From The Outside, which documents her career playing the role of Judy Bryant on Prisoner.
Bobbitt is an English teacher, who taught English to Vietnamese students.
Filmography
Matlock Police (TV series) as Valerie Praitt/Mrs. Nelson (1975)
Homicide (TV series), Marion Stuart/Blossom/Vicki Franklin
Prisoner, also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H - Judy Bryant (1980-1985)
Prisoner in Concert (TV special), Judy Bryant (1981)
The Clinic - Wilma (1982)
Special Squad (1984) (TV Series) as Daisy (1984)
A Country Practice (TV Series) - Ellen Dainty (1986)
Crocodile Dundee II Tourist (Meg) (1988)
The Flying Doctors - Jo Magee (1991)
Edens Lost (TV Movie) - Mabel (1991)
Survive the Savage Sea (TV Movie)- Mrs. Haines (1992)
Frankie's House (TV Movie) - Surgeon (1992)
Doing Time for Patsy Cline - Connie (1997)
All Saints (also known as All Saints: Medical Response Unit) - Olivia McCreadie (1998-1999)
The Game - Betty, Liaison Media (2000)
Crocodile Dundee III - American Lady (2001)
Marshall Law (TV Series) - Wanda (2002)
Blue Heelers (TV Series) - Madge Harcourt (2003)
The Cadet (Film Short)
Salem's Lot (TV Miniseries) (2004)
Torn - (2010)