Arianthe Galani

Arianthe Galani (born 9 April 1940),[1] is an Australian character actress born in New Zealand[2] of Greek descent. She is known for her roles in TV soap operas and serials, TV commercials, as well as films. Galani is primarily known for guest roles and cameos, in particular most commonly playing fiery Italian or Greek mothers.[2]

Arianthe Galani
Born (1940-04-09) 9 April 1940 (age 84)
New Zealand
Occupation(s)Actress, TV commercial presenter
Years active1960s–present
Known forPrisoner, Number 96

Career

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Galani worked in opera and sang professionally before she became known as an actor. 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 played a regular role in 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, and then took a regular role in Australian Broadcasting Corporation situation comedy series Home Sweet Home (1980). Both roles were as fiery Italians.

Between these roles she made appearances in the first season of cult TV series Prisoner as Mrs. Bentley, a woman who had buried a baby alive, a crime later blamed on Lynn Warner (Kerry Armstrong, whom was wrongly incarcerated and continued to protest her innocence. Though her appearances were brief, the character played a crucial role in one of the show's original storylines, and with the program's international success is probably Galani's most widely seen portrayal.

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.

TV adverts

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Galani also features in a series of television adverts for Jalna Greek Yoghurt and Mortein.

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Melvin: Son of AlvinMrs. GiannisFeature film
1985A Street to DieDr. WalseaFeature film
1987Dear CardholderAntoinetteFeature film
1992ResistanceMotherFeature film
1993Love in Limbo (aka Touch Me, Kiss Me, Love Me)Mrs. CostanidesFeature film
1995Billy's HolidayAnnaMusical feature film
1998The Picture WomanWoman (voice)Short film
1999ThreadedDonnaShort film
2000Dogwoman: A Grrrl's Best FriendMrs. JayasingeTV movie
2001Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny KimesBeatriceTV movie
2001Bowl Me OverFloraShort film
2008BellaBella's MomShort film (2 parts)

Television

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YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Matlock PoliceAngelaTV series (episode: Dennis)
1976HomicideAngela FarellaTV series (episode: Wrong End of the Gun)
1976-77Number 96Maria PanucciTV series
1977Pig in a PokeTV series (episode: Theo's Story)
1979PrisonerMrs. BentleyTV series
1980The Young DoctorsMother SuperiorTV series
1980-82Home Sweet HomeMaria PacelliTV series (26 episodes)
1982A Country PracticeRhonda ShawTV series (episode: A Sign of Affection Part 1 and Part 2)
1986The Great Bookie RobberyMrs. DavisTV miniseries
1988MelbaMelikaTV miniseries
1988The Flying DoctorsConnie PorterTV series
1988A Dangerous LifeJosephine ReyesTV miniseries
1990Come In SpinnerTV miniseries
Home and AwayGina LuciniTV series (6 episodes)
1991G.P.Raffaella GrazianoTV series (4 episodes)
1991A Country PracticeBunica EnescuTV series (episode: A Brief Encounter Part 1 and Part 2)
1991E StreetMaggieTV series (1 episode)
1992Six PackLuullaTV series
1995Heartbreak HighYayaTV series
1991-95Police RescueSophia AnelopoulosTV series
1999-2000All SaintsGilda PolettiTV series
2000Murder CallAntoinette de BonoTV series
2000Something in the AirNanny SofiaTV series
1994-2002Blue HeelersHelena HashamTV series (6 episodes)
2002The Angel FilesAlexandra LuciniTV series
2003Marking TimeMrs. SpiroTV miniseries
2007SatisfactionMrs. GTV series (2 episodes)
2010Dance AcademyJuliannaTV series
2015The PrincipalMrs. BashirTV miniseries
2017PulseArianna KoutoufidesTV series
2019Secret CityChrissy RopolousTV series
2019Lambs of GodAbessTV series (4 episodes)
2021Amazing GraceYia YiaTV series

References

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  1. ^ "Natalie Hall Management - Arianthe Galani". Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96", published by Melbourne Books ISBN 978-1-925556-00-1
  3. ^ Richard Coleman 'From sausage rolls to queenly role' Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1980 p. 8
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