Wendy Playfair
Wendy Playfair (born 1926)[1] is an Australian radio, television and film actress, best known for her role in serials and telmovies, she is best known internationally as the Barbara Cartland-style elderly Minnie Donovan[2]in the television series Prisoner, complete with pink outfits and prissy classy accent in 1983 and 1984,[3] and guest roles as Audrey Long and Evelyn Grey in Home and Away in 2005 and 2009.[4] Her film roles include Accidents Happen starring Geena Davis[5]
Wendy Playfair | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1926 (age 93–94) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Employer | Network Ten, Macquarie Radio |
| Known for | Prisoner as Minnie Donovan, Home and Away (2 roles), Ride a Wild Pony |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Eve Playfair (sister), Judy Playfair, (sister) Susan Playfair (Lady Atwill) (sister) |
| Awards | Macquarie Radio Award |
Biography
Early life
Playfair was born in Woollahra, New South Wales to Edmund Strathmore Creer (Strath) Playfair (1894–1965) and Kathleen Ryrie (Babs) née Campbell (1899–1989).[6] She was the third of four sisters. Eve and Judy were born before her and Susan (now Lady Atwill) was born after her.[7] The Playfair family were well-to-do, socially prominent[8] and in the meat trade.[9] She was educated at Ascham School in Edgecliff, New South Wales[10] and married James Williams at All Saints Woollahra Anglican Church in 6 July, 1951.[11]
Career
In radio she worked for the ABC and consistently in morning serials for Grace Gibson, as well as in many radio plays. Playfair received a Macquarie Award. Playfair has been a staple on the small screen since 1962, in series such as Homicide, Hunter, The Young Doctors, Return to Eden, A Country Practice (three roles) and All Saints (two roles). Her film credits include "Ride a Wild Pony", the only Walt Disney film ever produced in Australia. Playfair's most recent television appearance was in Packed to the Rafters in 2013.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Funnel Web (TV movie) | |
| 1967–1968 | Homicide (TV series) | 2 roles: -Jennifer Chandler -Ann Radford |
| 1968 | Hunter (TV series) | Mrs. West |
| 1971 | Three to Go | Mother (Segment: Judy) |
| 1973 | Matlock Police (TV series) | Ethel Parker |
| 1974 | The Evil Touch | |
| 1974 | Things That Go Bump in the Night (TV series) | Audrey |
| 1975 | Ride a Wild Pony | Mrs. Quayle |
| 1977 | Say You Want Me (TV movie) | |
| 1978 | Bit Part (TV movie) | Emma |
| 1978 | Shimmering Light (TV movie) | Gwen Stuart |
| 1978 | Father, Dear Father in Australia (TV series) | Mrs. Trown |
| 1979 | Glenview High (TV series) | |
| 1980 | The Young Doctors (TV series) | Mrs Steele |
| 1981 | Bellamy (TV series) | Milly |
| 1983–1984 | Prisoner (TV series) | Minnie Donovan |
| 1985 | Fortress | Old Woman |
| 1986 | Return to Eden (TV series) | Rena MCMaster |
| 1982–1992 | A Country Practice | 3 roles: -Gwen Bowman -Val Jackson -Lillian Palmer |
| 1993 | Terra Nullius (film short) | |
| 1994 | Cody: Bad Love (TV movie) | Mrs. Unwin |
| 1997 | Big Sky (TV series) | Mrs. Toohey |
| 2002 | Don't Blame the Koalas (TV series) | Mrs. Smythe |
| 2000–2003 | All Saints (TV series) | 2 roles: -Hannah "Bubba" Rosen -Gloria Mayberry |
| 2005–2009 | Home and Away (TV series) | 2 roles: -Mrs. Grey -Audrey Long |
| 2009 | Accidents Happen[5] | Mrs. Smolensky |
| 2010 | The Tree | Aunt Harriet |
| 2010 | Spirited (TV series) | Geisella McKenzie |
| 2010 | Rake (TV series) | Elspeth |
| 2011 | Laid (TV series) | Old Lady |
| 2013 | Packed to the Rafters (TV series) | Moira Beckett |
References
- "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 August 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Minnie Donavan (Wendy Playfair)".
- Prisoner Character List Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- Back to the bay Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- "Accidents Happen".
- Playfair Family Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- "MANY FAMILY PARTIES YESTERDAY". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 December 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Sydney's Talking About—". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 December 1946. p. 8. Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Playfair estate to family". The Canberra Times. 26 October 1966. p. 13. Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- Simpson, Caroline Fairfax; Dupree, Annette Fielding-Jones; Ferguson, Betty Winn (1986), Ascham remembered, 1886–1986, Fine Arts Press, ISBN 978-0-86917-013-7
- "They're Set Their Wedding Dates". The Sunday Herald. Sydney. 27 May 1951. p. 18. Retrieved 27 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.