Former Play School host Lorraine Bayly has passed away aged 89.
The legendary actress died in a Sydney nursing home on Saturday morning after years of poor health, her family confirmed in a statement to journalist Craig Bennett.
Bayly’s family had asked Bennet to share the news.
“Lorraine had enjoyed a stellar 62-year career on stage and screen, until her retirement 10 years ago,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Bayly was also known for her role as Grace Sullivan on the long-running soap opera The Sullivans, which she starred in for 600 episodes and established her as “Australia’s mum”.
Steven Tandy, who played Bayly’s son Tom on the show, shared a tribute to the actress on Facebook.
“I have so many cherished memories of Lorraine,” he began in his post.
“She was the most giving of people — always down to earth and affectionate, yet not without a certain almost girlish vivaciousness.
“I truly loved and admired her and was so grateful for the close friendship we shared. Fly high, lovely lady. Your work is done. May love and beauty surround you always.”
Bayly started her performance career playing classical piano on Sydney radio station 2UE. In 1966 she became one of the original Play School presenters, before taking on her role as Grace in The Sullivans from 1976 to 1983.
After leaving The Sullivan’s, Bayly played solicitor Jennifer Carson in Carson’s Law, a character which was written with her in mind.
“It was written for me. I was very flattered,” she said in an interview for TV Tonight.
“I really enjoyed doing it. A lot of the court cases were paralleled in society.”
Bayly won Silver Logies for most popular actress for both shows.
The actress also had various stints on stage, including in productions like Death of a Salesman, Travelling North and The Sound of Music, which was her final theatre appearance in 2016.
Image: ABC News
