The beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani has passed away after a “long battle with chronic illness” at the age of 45.
“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday, 7th December,” said a statement from her family, which was shared on Instagram by her sister Georgina.
“The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday, 19th December, with close family and friends. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.”
Perhaps best known for her performance in McLeod’s Daughters as Jodi Fountain, a role she held from 2001 until 2009. This role made her a household name in Australia.
She was also in a relationship with actor Matt Passmore (her McLeod’s Daughters co-star) from 2006 until 2011.
Her performance earned her two TV WEEK Logie Award nominations in 2007, one for Most Popular Actress and one for a Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Television.
Her McLeod’s Daughters co-star, Bridie Carter, who played Tess Silverman, shared her “deepest sorrow and profound sympathy for the Carpani family.”
“This is the most difficult post,” she began. “Rest In Peace our beautiful girl….the “baby” of our MD family…. We love you, we cherish you….. This is the wrong order of things. We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you. We know Rach will not only be missed immeasurably by her family, by us, but she is loved and will be missed by you all, around the world. We love you Carpani. We miss you Rach.
“May your blessed spirit, so vivid, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour, and a gentle humility, may you rest in peace…..
Love you Rach xxxxx Sending prayers to Rachael’s family, please pray for them too.”
Rachael grew up near Sydney and studied acting at the Australian College of Entertainment at Macquarie University and also trained at Drama Works. She attended The Hills Grammar School with Delta Goodrem.
Before acting, she trained in ballet for about 10 years, and she had interests in activities like surfing and horse riding.
After McLeod’s Daughters, she pursued work in the United States, appearing in a variety of TV projects, including Cane, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The Glades, and she starred as Abby Kowalski in the American police drama Against the Wall in 2011.
She appeared in films such as Hating Alison Ashley, alongside Delta Goodrem, and Triangle, and later in The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee and The Way Back.
In later years, she returned to Australian television with a recurring role on Home and Away in 2024.
In 2021, it was reported that Rachael was rushed to the hospital with abdominal pains. However, though she confirmed she was suffering from an illness, she did not say what it was.
“I will make a full recovery and should be up and running in a few days! Scary start…amazing doctors INCREDIBLE nurses and a speedy recovery!!”
Furthermore, in March 2024, she shared a recent photoshoot which she captioned: “Aaaand a little sneak peak of my first time back in front of a [camera] 2 days ago ……no hospital gown, no awesome surgery socks …. (have to admit I miss the comfort.”
However, there’s no indication if those events are related to the illness which took her life.
Our thoughts and deep condolences are with the Carpani family at this difficult time.
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