Arianthe Galani
Arianthe Galani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 April 1940 New Zealand |
| Occupations | Actress, TV commercial presenter, singer |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Known for | Prisoner, Number 96 |
Arianthe Galani (born 9 April 1940),[1] is a Greek New Zealander character actress, and commercial advertiser and former opera singer, who has worked in England and in Australia.[2] She is known for her roles in TV soap operas and serials, TV commercials, as well as films, where she is primarily known for recurring roles, guest roles and cameos.[2]
Career
Galani started her career in opera and sang professionally before she became known as an actress. She worked as a singer in England for four years in the 1960s, then joined the Australian Opera for five years between 1967 and 1972.[3]
Galani had played a regular role in local soap opera, Number 96 as Maria Panucci, the aunt of Harry Michaels' character Giovanni from late 1976, until the end of the series in August 1977.
In 1979, Galani appeared in the first series of cult drama TV series Prisoner, as Mrs. Bentley, in a controversial story-arc about a woman who had buried a child alive, a crime that was later falsely blamed on Lynn Warner (Kerry Armstrong), who was subsequently wrongly convicted and imprisoned whilst protesting her innocence. The character played a crucial role in one of the show's original storylines, and with the series gaining international success in numerous countries, it is probably Galani's most widely known role.
In 1980, Galani took a regular role in Australian Broadcasting Corporation situation comedy series Home Sweet Home, appearing until 1982.
Other television credits include Matlock Police, Homicide, The Young Doctors, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, Home and Away, Police Rescue, Murder Call, Something in the Air, All Saints and Blue Heelers.
Galani also featured in a series of television adverts for Jalna Greek Yoghurt and Mortein.
Acting credits
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Melvin: Son of Alvin | Mrs. Giannis | Feature film |
| 1985 | A Street to Die | Dr. Walsea | Feature film |
| 1987 | Dear Cardholder | Antoinette | Feature film |
| 1992 | Resistance | Mother | Feature film |
| 1993 | Love in Limbo (aka Touch Me, Kiss Me, Love Me) | Mrs. Costanides | Feature film |
| 1995 | Billy's Holiday | Anna | Musical feature film |
| 1998 | The Picture Woman | Woman (voice) | Short film |
| 1999 | Threaded | Donna | Short film |
| 2000 | Dogwoman: A Grrrl's Best Friend | Mrs. Jayasinge | TV movie |
| 2001 | Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes | Beatrice | TV movie |
| Bowl Me Over | Flora | Short film | |
| 2008 | Bella | Bella's Mom | Short film (2 parts) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Matlock Police | Angela | Episode: "Dennis" |
| 1976 | Homicide | Angela Farella | Episode: "Wrong End of the Gun" |
| 1976–1977 | Number 96 | Maria Panucci | 51 episodes |
| 1977 | Pig in a Poke | Episode: "Theo's Story" | |
| 1979 | Prisoner | Mrs. Bentley | 2 episodes |
| 1980 | The Young Doctors | Mother Superior | 1 episode |
| 1980–1982 | Home Sweet Home | Maria Pacelli | 26 episodes |
| 1982 | A Country Practice | Rhonda Shaw | Episodes: "A Sign of Affection'" Part 1 & Part 2 |
| 1986 | The Great Bookie Robbery | Mrs. Davis | Miniseries, 1 episode |
| 1988 | Melba | Melika | Miniseries, 2 episodes |
| The Flying Doctors | Connie Porter | 1 episode | |
| A Dangerous Life | Josephine Reyes | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| 1990 | Come in Spinner | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| Home and Away | Gina Lucini | 6 episodes | |
| 1991 | G.P. | Raffaella Graziano | 4 episodes |
| A Country Practice | Bunica Enescu | Episodes: "A Brief Encounter" Part 1 and Part 2) | |
| E Street | Maggie | 1 episode | |
| 1991–1995 | Police Rescue | Sophia Angelopoulos | 4 episodes |
| 1992 | Six Pack | Anna | 1 episode |
| 1994–2002 | Blue Heelers | Helena Hasham | 6 episodes |
| 1995 | Heartbreak High | Yaya | 1 episode |
| 1999–2000 | All Saints | Gilda Poletti | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | Murder Call | Antoinette de Bono | 1 episode |
| Something in the Air | Nanny Sofia | 2 episodes | |
| 2002 | The Angel Files | Alexandra Lucini | |
| 2003 | Marking Time | Mrs. Spiro | Miniseries |
| 2007 | Satisfaction | Mrs. G | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Dance Academy | Julianna | 1 episode |
| 2015 | The Principal | Mrs. Bashir | Miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Pulse | Chrissy Ropolous | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Secret City | Chrissy Ropolous | 1 episode |
| Lambs of God | Abess | 4 episodes | |
| 2021 | Amazing Grace | Yia Yia | 1 episode |
Stage
Source: [4]
References
- ↑ "Natalie Hall Management - Arianthe Galani". Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- 1 2 Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96", published by Melbourne Books ISBN 978-1-925556-00-1
- ↑ Richard Coleman 'From sausage rolls to queenly role' The Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1980 p. 8
- ↑ "Arianthe Galani". AusStage.
- ↑ "Rigoletto". Theatregold.
- ↑ "La Cage aux Folles". ovrtur.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Arianthe Galani". nataliehall.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
External links