Australian screen actor Janet Andrewartha has died, aged 72. The star of television shows including Neighbours and Prisoner: Cell Block H passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday in Melbourne, as reported first in The Herald Sun.
Andrewartha was best known for playing Lyn Scully in the country’s longest running soap opera, Neighbours, which she landed in 1999.
The program released a statement, saying: “Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha.”
“Janet will be remembered for her wide body of work. [She] had many friendships at Neighbours and one of her most enduring bonds was with Jackie Woodburne.”
Woodburne, who played Susan Kennedy on the show, described her former co-star as “one of the finest actors of her generation, but more than that, she was an extraordinary woman.”
“Passionate, political, curious, delightfully eccentric, generous and fun. To me she was a steadfast friend for over 45 years. I will miss her every day.”
Another co-star, Stefan Dennis, who played Paul Robinson, described Andrewartha as a “exceptional actress who was a pleasure work with and to be around.”
“So very upset to lose the lovely Janet… We will all miss you dear girl,” he posted on Instagram.
Andrewartha’s on screen daughter, Holly Candy (formerly Valance), posted a tribute on X, describing her co-star as “a superb human being who taught me so much from the age of 15.”
“I’ll treasure her last trip to the UK forever. Precious memories I’m so grateful for. A beautiful, talented, hilarious & kind woman. I’m so glad it was you who played my Mum. You were the real deal. Made us feel safe. And looked after us when we were all so young in the industry. It was an honour to work beside you and call you a friend.”
Andrewartha’s last acting roles include Paramount+’s Fake, and the SBS drama Safe Home.