Arianthe Galani
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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]
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.
