Veteran actress and voice-over artist Suzy Cato-Gashler, known for her work on Neighbours and Blue Heelers, has passed away aged 76 after a long illness.
Suzy passed away in Melbourne on Saturday, with Australian media studies author Nigel Giles confirming her death on social media.
“Vale Suzy Cato-Gashler, actress and voiceover artist whose career spanned more than fifty years. Predominantly a screen actress, she appeared in series such as Cop Shop, Prisoner, The Power, The Passion, Neighbours, Blue Heelers,” Giles wrote.
Known for her roles in iconic dramas, Suzy became a familiar face on screens after a successful career that spanned more than five decades across television, film, theatre and modelling.
The actress graduated from the University of Melbourne with an Economics degree, and first found success as a model and magazine covergirl, before making her TV debut on The Don Lane Show.
In the 1970s she started her acting career landing guest roles in classic Australian police dramas including Matlock Police and Homicide.
She also played socialite Marianne De Vere on Prisoner and quickly became a fan favourite on the show.
She cemented her place in Australian TV history through her starring role as Anna Wright on The Power, The Passion in 1989, appearing in more than 160 episodes.
Over the decades, Suzy’s acting career grew, with appearances in Halifax f.p., Blue Heelers, Stingers, House Husbands and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
In 2024 she returned to Neighbours as recurring character Shirley Burchmore, more than two decades after her first appearance on the soap.
Fans took to social media to pay tribute to the actress, with one person writing: “May she Walk the Catwalk of Heaven with her Style n Grace. Condolences to her family and friends.”
“Oh so sorry to hear this… Suzy played her roles perfectly,” another added.
She is survived by her longtime partner Robert Wilson and her sister Anni Gashler.
Image: Facebook/ Channel 10
