Elaine Smith (actress)
Elaine Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1962 Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Television actress, school teacher |
| Notable work | Daphne Clarke in Neighbours |
| Spouse | Jonathan Biggins |
| Children | 2 |
Elaine Smith (born 23 April 1962) is a Scottish-Australian former actress, known for her role as Daphne Clarke in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1985 until 1988.
Early life
[edit]Smith was born in Largs, Scotland. Her family moved to Perth, Western Australia when she was young.[1]
Career
[edit]Smith auditioned for a guest role in new series Neighbours in 1984.[2] However her appearance, particularly her short spiky hair, caught the attention of the casting director and she was cast as regular character Daphne Lawrence.[2] Smith continued in the role until 1988.[3] Prior to this she had a small guest role in soap opera Sons and Daughters in 1984 as a flight attendant.
After leaving Neighbours, Smith guested as Jenny Rose in an episode of The Flying Doctors.[4] She starred in the 1991 miniseries Ratbag Hero as Mum, alongside Cameron Nugent and Marcus Graham.[5] In 1992, Smith joined the main cast of the revamped Flying Doctors series R.F.D.S. as Dr Sissy Wetherall.[6] Subsequent credits include State Coroner, Always Greener, Home and Away and All Saints in 2006.[3]
Smith later earned a teaching degree and became a Year 3 teacher at a Sydney primary school.[7] In 2025, Smith revealed that she had declined offers from Neighbours producers to either return as a ghost or a twin. She decided to retire from acting and is a private tutor for neurodiverse children.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Smith was in a relationship with her Neighbours co-star Peter O'Brien.[4]
She is married to actor and writer, Jonathan Biggins. The couple met while performing together in a Melbourne play.[9] Smith and Biggins have twin daughters, who were born in February 2000.[9]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Office Picnic | Feature film | |
| 1983 | The City's Edge | Extra | Feature film |
| 1984 | Every Picture Tells a Story: The Art Films Of James Scott | Female Striker | Feature film documentary, UK |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sons and Daughters | Air Stewardess | Guest role |
| 1984 | Carson's Law | Angela Watson | Episodes: "La Cenicienta", "All Is Fair" |
| 1985–1988 | Neighbours | Daphne Clarke | Regular role |
| 1986–1987 | It's a Knockout | Guest referee / Participant | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | The Flying Doctors | Jenny Rose | Episode: "Preacher Man" |
| 1988 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself | 1 episode (Red Faces segment) |
| 1989 | A Country Practice | Helen Grey | Episodes: "Sanctuary: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1990 | Flair | Megan | Recurring role |
| 1990 | The Paper Man | Celia Ward | Episodes: "Looking at the Stars", "Every Post a Winner" |
| 1991 | Ratbag Hero | Mum | Recurring role |
| 1993 | Bay City | Regular role | |
| 1993 | Time Trax | Claudine Baker | Episode: "Night of the Savage" |
| 1993 | R.F.D.S. | Dr. Sissy Wetherall | Regular role |
| 1995 | G.P. | Wendy Dowling | Episode: "Grown Ups" |
| 1996 | The Adventures of the Bush Patrol | Voice | Animated TV series |
| 1996–1998 | State Coroner | Dr. Julie Travers | Regular role |
| 1998 | Bullpitt! | Journalist | Episode: "Too Many Teds" |
| 1999 | Hububb | Rosa | Episode: "No Go Pogo" |
| 2001 | Wicked! | Eileen | Regular role |
| 2002 | Always Greener | Mrs. Slate | Episode: "Cliffhanger" |
| 2005, 2006 | All Saints | Joanne Miller | Episodes: "Immortal", "No Way Out" |
| 2006 | Home and Away | Grace Carter | Episode 4266 |
References
[edit]- ^ Rait, Noel (23 January 1988). "No regrets about leaving Neighbours". TV Radio Extra. Vol. 8, no. 366. pp. 4–5.
- ^ a b Oram, James (1988). Neighbours: Behind the Scenes. Angus & Robertson. p. 102. ISBN 0-207-16075-9.
- ^ a b Richards, Holly (16 August 2010). "Neighbours: Where are they now?". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- ^ a b Fidgeon, Patrice (2 April 1988). "Look who's flying into Doctors!". TV Week. p. 2.
- ^ Brown, David (18 August 1990). "Just look at them now!". TV Week. p. 3.
- ^ Abraham, Tierri (August 1992). "Elaine Smith and the return of The Flying Doctors". TV Soap. pp. 10–11.
- ^ "Neighbours' Daphne found! Elaine Smith's clever new role". Woman's Day. 3 April 2017. p. 24. Retrieved 13 October 2025 – via PressReader.
- ^ "Neighbours legend Elaine Smith reveals reason why she turned down soap return". Metro. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b Freeman-Greene, Suzy (24 October 2009). "Bit parts for parents". The Age. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
External links
[edit]- Elaine Smith at IMDb
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