Actress Rachael Carpani, who was best known for playing Jodi Fountain in the Australian dramaMcLeod's Daughtersand also had roles inNCIS: Los Angeles,The Glades, and the soapHome and Away, has died. She was 45.
The death was confirmed by Rachael's sister, Georgia, on Monday (December 15), who shared a statement from their parentson Instagram, which revealed Rachael passed away "unexpectedly" after a long battle with a chronic illness.
"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," the statement read.
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The post added that the funeral will be a private event, set to be held on Friday (December 19) with close family and friends. "The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements," the statement concluded.
Rachael Carpani in Against the Wall; Ben Mark Holzberg / © Lifetime Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection
Born on August 24, 1980, in Sydney, Australia, Rachael rose to fame playing Jodi Fountain-McLeod on the hit Australian drama seriesMcLeod's Daughters, which aired from 2001 to 2009. Rachael appeared in 179 episodes, starring as a main cast member in the first seven seasons and a guest star in Season 8.
She also featured in several U.S. television series, including five episodes of the CBS dramaCane, a 2009 episode ofNCIS: Los Angeles, three episodes of the A&E crime dramaThe Glades, a 2014 episode of the CBS seriesStalker, and took the lead role in the short-lived Lifetime police dramaAgainst the Wall.
Her other credits include the TV moviesTouched,If There Be Thorns, andSeeds of Yesterday. Last year, she appeared in the Australian soapHome and Awayas Claudia Salini. Rachael had previously appeared as a different character in the long-running soap back in 2001.
On the big screen, Rachael was best known for starring alongsideLiam HemsworthandMelissa Georgein the 2009 psychological horror filmTriangle. She also appeared in the 2020 sports dramaThe Way Backand the Australian comedy filmThe Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.
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