Actress and producer Carol Raye has died aged 99.
The British-born star, best known for his roles in ‘The Young Doctors’, ‘Number 96’ and ‘SeaChange’, died on Sunday night.
She was a fan favorite in the 1970s thanks to her performances on Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks and The Mike Walsh Show.
Actress and producer Carol Raye (pictured) has died aged 99
The star was a featured character on the fast-paced soap opera Number 96, in which she played Baroness Amanda von Pappenburg.
Born in London, England, Carol began her dancing career at the age of 16. She was well known in Britain as a film and theater star when she emigrated to Australia in 1964 with her husband, veterinarian Robert Ayre Smith.
She forged a career Down Under as an actress and producer, creating and starring in the 1964 television series The Mavis Bramston Show.
The British-born star, best known for his roles in ‘The Young Doctors’, ‘Number 96’ and ‘SeaChange’, died on Sunday night. Carol is pictured making her debut in Fun and Games at the Prince’s Theater in 1941
She was a fan favorite in the 1970s thanks to her performances on Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks and The Mike Walsh Show. Carol is pictured during the production of the film Strawberry Roan in 1944
“I had just arrived in Australia and joined Channel Seven as a producer and was asked to come up with some ideas for a late night show,” she told TV Tonight.
“Seven’s ratings weren’t very good and they wanted to knock Graham Kennedy out. In Melbourne Tonight was a huge hit.
“I’ve just come from England and was very influenced by a show that was a huge hit in London, That Was The Week That Was with David Frost.
Born in London, England, Carol began her dancing career at the age of 16. She was well known in Britain as a film and theater star when she emigrated to Australia in 1964 with her husband, veterinarian Robert Ayre Smith. Pictured together
The star was a featured character on the fast-paced soap opera Number 96 (pictured), in which she played Baroness Amanda von Pappenburg
She forged a career as an actress and producer Down Under, creating and starring in the 1964 television series The Mavis Bramston Show
“It was really journalistic satire. It wasn’t just a lot of funny haha jokes. It was a political comedy,” she added.
Carol was decorated with the Order of Australia just a week before her death.
She had three children, including daughters Sally Ayre Smith, who was a producer at SeaChange, and Harriet, who works with the Sydney Theater Company.
She had three children, including daughters Sally Ayre Smith, who was a producer at SeaChange, and Harriet, who works with the Sydney Theater Company. Pictured with her daughters Sally as a baby
Tributes from fans and peers flowed on Twitter Monday, with many recalling the once-familiar name.
TV legend Andrew Mercado wrote: “After this beautiful #Logies In Memorian, a sad newcomer, Carol Raye, star of The Mavis Brampton Show and Blankety Blanks and Aussie TV’s first female executive, passed away last night.
“She was as lovely and glowing in real life as she is here in number 96 in 1974.”
Tributes from fans and peers flowed on Twitter Monday, with many recalling the once-familiar name
Another fan wrote: “Remember Carol Raye. So popular in the 60’s and 70’s. She was 6 months off 100.’
Another person said: “RIP Carol Raye! One of a kind and an Australian TV legend.
Another chimed in: “Oh what times we had. What joy and laughter you have given us. Farewell to the beautiful and talented Carol Raye. I hope it’s a food flight darling.’
Carol was decorated with the Order of Australia just a week before her death. She is featured in a 1947 promotional portrait for the film Springtime