Carole Skinner

{{short description|Australian actress}}

{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}

{{BLP sources|date=January 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox person

| image =

| occupation = Actress

| known for= {{hlist|Prisoner|Sons and Daughters|The Harp in the South|Poor Man's Orange}}

| years_active = 1966–2009, 2015

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|8 May 1944}}

| birth_place = Australia

}}

Carole Skinner (born 8 May 1944){{cite book |last1=Bourke |first1=Terry |title=Prisoner Cell BlochK H: Behind the Scenes |publisher=Angus and Robertson (UK)}} is an Australian retired actress, particularly known for her performances in theatre and television, although she has had small parts in films. She is perhaps best known internationally for her soap opera role's as Nola McKenzie in the soap opera, Prisoner, and Sons and Daughters, as Doris Hudson, as well as miniseries, The Harp in the South, and its sequel, Poor Man's Orange, as Delie Stock.

Biography

=Early career=

Skinner began her acting career in 1966, and first rose to prominence as an established theatre performer. Her performance as Olive in a production of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll for the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1977 was met with high regard.{{cite web |title=Summer of the Seventeenth Doll |url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/30111 |website=The Australian Live Performance Database |publisher=AusStage and contributors |access-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129040954/http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/30111 |archive-date=29 November 2012}}

She became well known for her screen roles, particularly in television, making her debut in 1971, when she made a guest appearance in the Australian series, Dynasty, (not related to the American series of the same title) before going on to play a regular in Lane End (a spin-off series to the serial, Bellbird), and further guest roles in Certain Women, The Evil Touch, Ryan, Behind the Legend, and The Young Doctors.

Television soap opera

=''Prisoner'', ''Sons and Daughters'' and ''Neighbours''=

Skinner became best known locally and internationally for her six-month stint as Nola McKenzie in the Network 10 soap opera, Prisoner (known outside of Australia as Prisoner: Cell Block H), during its fifth season in 1983. She later admitted that it was her choice to leave the series after producers offered to extend her contract to continue playing Nola. The character was killed-off in one of the series most iconic scenes, when she was shot in the forehead with a zip gun.{{cite web| title=Episode 369| url=http://www.wwwentworth.co.uk/epis369.htm| website=wwwentworth.co.uk| access-date=11 July 2022}} This was followed by guest roles in soap operas and drama series', including Sons and Daughters, as Doris Hudson, a house-keeper obsessed with her boss, in which she attempted to smother toddler Robert Palmer in the series' 1985 season cliffhanger episode,{{cite web| title=Episode 696| url=http://sonsanddaughters.co.uk/episodes/ep696.htm| website=sonsanddaughters.co.uk| access-date=11 July 2022}} as Laura Dennison in Neighbours in 1986,{{cite web| title=Laura Dennison (née Simpson) 1986| url=http://perfectblend.net/neighbourhood/bio/dennison-laura.htm| website=perfectblend.net| access-date=11 July 2022}} and briefly appearances in The Flying Doctors and A Country Practice.

Miniseries and later roles

She is also known for her role as Delie Stock in the miniseries, The Harp in the South, based on the novel by Ruth Park,{{cite web| title=Harp in the South (1986)| url=https://aso.gov.au/people/Carole_Skinner/#/titles/tv/harp-south/| website=aso.gov.au| access-date=11 July 2022}}{{cite web| title=HARP IN THE SOUTH, THE| url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1980s/harp-in-the-south-the/| website=nostalgiacentral.com| access-date=11 July 2022}} and the sequel miniseries, Poor Man's Orange, also based on Park's second novel of the same name.{{cite web| title=POOR MAN'S ORANGE| url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1980s/poor-mans-orange/| website=nostalgiacentral.com| access-date=11 July 2022}}

She continued to appear in high-profile drama series', including, two different roles in the Seven Network soap opera, Home and Away, as Mary O'Brien during the show's eighth season in 1995, and as Annie Matthews in the twelfth season in 1999, E Street, Minder (when episodes were filmed in Australia),{{cite web|url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/2445|title=Carole Skinner|publisher=AusStage}} Murder Call, All Saints, and McLeod's Daughters.

Film appearances

Skinner is also a credited film actress, having appeared in several minor roles, including, her feature debut in the sex comedy, Alvin Purple, which spawned two sequels, and a short-lived television series. She continued with roles during the 1970s, in Eliza Frazer, co-starring with Susannah York and John Waters, and the critically acclaimed, My Brilliant Career, with Judy Davis and Sam Neill, before going on to appear in films, such as, Heatwave, Monkey Grip, Goodbye Paradise, The Umbrella Woman, Howling III, the second sequel to the classic 1981 film, and the 2001 blockbuster, Moulin Rouge! starring Nicole Kidman.

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

! {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference}}

1973

| Maybe Tomorrow

|

| TV movie

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=MAYBE TOMORROW| url=https://www.collection.nfsa.gov.au/title/1931}}

1973

| Alvin Purple

| Mother Superior

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=ALVIN PURPLE| url=https://mubi.com/films/alvin-purple/cast| website=mubi.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1974

| Parent Teacher Interviews

| Parent

| Short film (segment: "A Stranger")

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Parent teacher interviews| url=https://www.acmi.net.au/works/71361--parent-teacher-interviews/| website=acmi.net.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1976

| Eliza Fraser

| Mrs. Shortland

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=ELIZA FRASER| url=https://mubi.com/films/eliza-fraser/cast| website=mubi.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1979

| My Brilliant Career

| Mrs. McSwatt

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=My Brilliant Career (1979)| url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6beb2f3c| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811141137/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6beb2f3c| url-status=dead| archive-date=11 August 2016| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1980

| Going Home

| Molly

| TV movie

|

1982

| Deadline

| Sybil

| TV movie

|

1982

| Heatwave

| Mary Ford

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Heatwave (1982)| url=https://scopophiliamovieblog.com/2016/07/07/heatwave-1982/amp/| website=scopophiliamovieblog.com| date=7 July 2016| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1982

| Monkey Grip

| Waitress

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Monkey Grip (1982)| url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b746e5e89| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710171318/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b746e5e89| url-status=dead| archive-date=10 July 2022| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1982

| The Mystery at Castle House

| Aunt Josephine

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Mystery at Castle House| url=https://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/galleries/photos/mystery-at-castle-house| website=ozmovies.com.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1982

| A Most Attractive Man

| Frances

| Short film

| align="center"|{{cite book| title=A most attractive man.| url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/220162897| via=worldcat.org| oclc=220162897| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1982

| Goodbye Paradise

| Landlady

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=GOODBYE PARADISE| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/goodbye-paradise-1983/485/| website=screenaustralia.gov.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1983

| The Weekly's War

| Nurse

| TV movie

|

1984

| On the Loose

| Mrs. Jones

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=ON THE LOOSE| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/on-the-loose-1985/2208/| website=screenaustralia.gov.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1985

| After Hours

| Mother

| Short film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=After Hours (1984)| url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7b466dd0| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126192316/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7b466dd0| url-status=dead| archive-date=26 November 2020| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1987

| The Umbrella Woman

| Mrs. Gibson

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=The Umbrella Woman (1986)| url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7206a49d| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428172238/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7206a49d| url-status=dead| archive-date=28 April 2020| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1987

| Howling III: The Marsupials

| Yara

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Howling III (1987)| url=https://m.filmaffinity.com/en/movie.php?id=465834| website=filmaffinity.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1991

| Gotcha

| Wilma

| Short film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Gotcha| url=https://mix-movie.com/films/224960| website=mix-movie.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1993

| Don't Touch Wood!

| Scott's Mum

| Film (developed by ANZ Bank and Small Business Victoria)

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Dont Touch Wood (1993)| url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/dont-touch-wood| access-date=12 May 2023}}

1994

| Unacceptable Behaviour

| Angela

| Short film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/unacceptable-behaviour-1994/8845/| website=screenaustralia.gov.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1995

| Napoleon

| The Cat {{small|(voice)}}

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Carole Skinner| url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Carole-Skinner/| website=behindthevoiceactors.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1996

| Passion

|

| Short play

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Love Seen In Laundromat| url=https://televisionau.com/2016/01/1996-january-6-12.html|website=televisionau.com |date=January 2016}}

1996

| Whipping Boy

| Sex Store Wife

| TV movie

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Whipping Boy| url=https://www.movieranker.com/movie/25tSTtJnBwLGtM1/Whipping-Boy| website=movieranker.com| access-date=10 July 2022}}

1998

| Never Tell Me Never

| Dusty

| TV movie

|

2001

| Moulin Rouge!

| Landlady

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=Moulin Rouge (2001)| url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b83847d22| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811133846/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b83847d22| url-status=dead| archive-date=11 August 2016| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=10 July 2022}}

2002

| Hetty

| Hetty

| Short film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=HETTY| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/hetty-2002/18791/| website=screenaustralia.gov.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

2008

| The View from Greenhaven

| Bonny

| Feature film

| align="center"|{{cite web| title=THE VIEW FROM GREENHAVEN| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-view-from-greenhaven-2008/24874/| website=screenaustralia.gov.au| access-date=10 July 2022}}

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

1971

| Dynasty

| Mavis Patterson

| TV series, S2E13

1972

| Lane End

| Peggy Dunlop

| TV series, 7 episodes

1973

| Certain Women

|

| TV series

1973; 1974

| The Evil Touch

| Hortense / Madge

| TV series, S1E4 & S1E18

1974

| Ryan

| Jane Moore

| TV series, S1E31

1975

| Behind the Legend

|

| TV series, S3E10

1979

| Ray Lawler's The Doll Trilogy

| Olive Leech

| TV production (filmed 1977){{cite web| title=Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll (1977)| url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10820322/| website=www2.bfi.org.uk| access-date=13 October 2022}}

1980

| Trial by Marriage

|

| TV series

1980

| Spring & Fall

| Jamie's Mother

| TV series, S1E6

1980

| The Young Doctors

| Dr Judith Ann Napier

| TV series, episodes 846-878

1983

| Prisoner

| Nola McKenzie

| TV series, S5, 40 episodes

1984

| The Cowra Breakout

| Mrs. Davidson

| Miniseries

1985–1986

| Sons and Daughters

| Doris Hudson

| TV series, S4–5, 14 episodes

1986

| A Fortunate Life

| Shalagh Phillips

| Miniseries, 1 episode

1986

| The Flying Doctors

| Joan Morgan

| TV series, S1E20

1986

| Neighbours

| Laura Dennison

| TV series, S2, 19 episodes

1987

| The Harp in the South

| Delie Stock

| Miniseries, 3 episodes

1987

| Poor Man's Orange

| Delie Stock

| Miniseries, 2 episodes

1987

| A Country Practice

| Jean Brown

| TV series, S7E59–60

1990

| G.P.

| Pat Kennedy

| TV series, S2E36: "Crossover"

1992

| E Street

| Cathy Norman

| TV series, 1 episode

1993

| Minder

| Mary Maguire

| TV series, S9E13

1993

| A Country Practice

| Betty Birchgrove

| TV series, S13E65–66

1995

| Home and Away

| Mary O'Brien

| TV series, S8, 6 episodes

1998

| Murder Call

| Mickey Lane

| TV series, S2E10–11: Deadline (parts 1 & 2)

1999

| Home and Away

| Annie Matthews

| TV series, S12, 9 episodes

1999

| All Saints

| Sandra Gillespie

| TV series, S2E40

2000

| Bondi Banquet

| Judy Trembath

| TV series

2002

| Don't Blame Me

| Weird Wanda

| TV series, S1E5 & 15

2003

| White Collar Blue

| Mrs. Simms

| TV series, S1E6

2006

| HeadLand

| Supervisor

| TV series, 3 episodes

2009

| McLeod's Daughters

| Helga

| TV series, S8E14

2015

| Catching Milat

| Margaret Milat

| Miniseries

=Television (as self)=

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

1995

| At Home

| Guest

| TV series, 1 episode

1996

| Good Morning Australia

| Guest

| TV series, 1 episode

Theatre

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Type

1966Mother Courage and Her ChildrenNew Theatre, Sydney
1968Sam, The Highest Jumper of Them All, or the London ComedyNew Theatre, Sydney
1968This Old Man Comes Rolling HomeUNSW with Old Tote Theatre Company
1968America HurrahNew Theatre, Sydney
1968The Rimers of EldritchEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
1969Triple Passion British FashionUniversity of Sydney
1969The SerpentNew Theatre, Sydney
1970Let’s Get a DivorceConcierge / Madame de Valfontaine / First WaitressNational Theatre, Launceston, Devonport Town Hall, Theatre Royal, Hobart
1971The Recruiting OfficerSouthern Highlands Festival Theatre, Mittagong
1971A Streetcar Named DesireSouthern Highlands Festival Theatre, Mittagong
1971Doctor FaustusSouthern Highlands Festival Theatre, Mittagong
1971Duke of Edinburgh Assassinated or The Vindication of Henry ParkesNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1971After MagritteNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1971The RemovalistsNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1972Listen CloselyIndependent Theatre Sydney
1972HouseyNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1972The Last Supper ShowNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1972Bigotry V.C.Nimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1973JumpersRussell Street Theatre with MTC
1973Long Day's Journey Into NightUnion Hall, Adelaide, St Martins Theatre, Melbourne with South Australian Theatre Company
1973; 1974The Comedy of ErrorsArts Theatre, Adelaide, Arts Theatre, Adelaide with South Australian Theatre Company for Adelaide Festival
1974The Bride of Gospel PlaceArts Theatre, Adelaide with South Australian Theatre Company for Adelaide Festival
1974; 1975The Three CuckoldsPlayhouse, Adelaide with South Australian Theatre Company
1974; 1975; 1977The DepartmentMyraPlayhouse, Adelaide, Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne, UNSW Old Tote Parade Theatre, Playhouse, Perth with National Theatre & South Australian Theatre Company
1975Chez NousUNSW with Old Tote Theatre Company
1976; 1977Going HomeMollySt Martins Youth Arts Centre with MTC, Greenroom Theatre, Perth with National Theatre
1976Old FlamesVCA with MTC
1976Other TimesOlive LeechRussell Street Theatre with MTC
1976; 1977Kid StakesOlive LeechTheatre Royal, Sydney, Russell Street Theatre with MTC
1977; 1978; 1979Summer of the Seventeenth DollOliveRussell Street Theatre, Melbourne with MTC, Playhouse, Adelaide
1977The Doll TrilogyRussell Street Theatre with MTC
1977Absent FriendsDianaPlayhouse, Perth with National Theatre
1977Yesterday's NewsJournalistGreenroom Theatre, Perth
1977Otherwise EngagedBethPlayhouse, Perth with National Theatre
1977Double EdgeHelenPlayhouse, Perth
1977A Happy and Holy OccasionPlayhouse, Adelaide with South Australian Theatre Company
1978Curse of the Starving ClassEllaNimrod Street Theatre, Sydney
1979You Never Can TellMrs ClandonSGIO Theatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre
1979The Golden OldiesRobbie / NoraJane Street Theatre, Sydney with Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
1980The Adventures of a Bear Called PaddingtonMrs BirdRegent Theatre, Sydney
1981Roses in Due SeasonLil Marriott / SallyNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1981On Our SelectionMotherSGIO Theatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre
1981The Cocky of BungareeDiamond LilClark Island, Sydney with Nimrod Theatre Company for Sydney Festival
1981The SuicideNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1982The Struggle of the Naga TribeNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1983Morning's at SevenMarian Street Theatre, Sydney
1983The KidNimrod Theatre Company, Sydney
1984The Golden OldiesSeymour Centre, Sydney
1985The RemovalistsPhillip Street Theatre, Sydney
1987Shepherd on the RocksLily Thripp / Pink Lady / Sonia Slitzkin / Tilda StruttPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
1987The Merry Wives of WindsorAlbert Park Amphitheatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre for Warana Festival
1987AwayGwenPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
1987; 1988; 1989A Month of SundaysMarian Street Theatre, Sydney for Sydney Festival, Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA, Cremorne Theatre Brisbane with Queensland Theatre & Northside Theatre Company
1988Dinkum AssortedSydney Opera House, Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC & STC
1988The 16th Australian National Playwrights' ConferenceNIDA Parade Theatre
1989Romeo and JulietSydney Opera House with STC
1989All My SonsWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
1989; 1990How the Other Half LovesGlen Street Theatre, Sydney, Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford, University of Sydney, Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane, Gold Coast Arts Centre with Peter and Ellen Williams
1991A Hard GodUNE
1991Sailor Beware!Marian Street Theatre, Sydney
1992; 1994A Cheery SoulMiss DockerSuncorp Theatre, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre Adelaide for Adelaide Festival
1993; 1995; 1996BarmaidsLion Theatre, Adelaide with STCSA Bridge Theatre, Sydney with New England Theatre Company, Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company, Sorlies Restaurant, Sydney & Riverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga with Theatre South
1994Diving for PearlsNewcastle Civic Theatre with Hunter Valley Theatre Company
1994Waiting RoomsEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
1994Love Seen in LaundromatStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1994BarefootStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company
1995The Floating WorldSubiaco Theatre Centre, Perth, Playhouse, Adelaide, Glen Street Theatre, Sydney with STCSA & Black Swan Theatre Company
1996Night on Bald MountainPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA, Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney
1998Henry IVMistress Quickly / BullcalfSydney Opera House, Canberra Theatre, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Monash University, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth with Bell Shakespeare
2000The Marriage of FigaroSydney Opera House
2001The Oldest ProfessionEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
2001King UbuBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney
2003Black MilkBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney with Splinter Theatre Company
2004Our Lady of SligoBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney
2006Breathing CorpsesDarlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
2007Parramatta GirlsBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney
2007The EstimatorBille Brown Studio, Brisbane with Queensland Theatre

{{cite web | url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/2445 | title=AusStage }}

References

{{reflist}}