The Australian entertainment industry is in mourning following the unexpected death of beloved actress Rachael Carpani. The McLeod's Daughters star passed away peacefully on December 7 after a long-term battle with a chronic illness, her family confirmed. She was 45 years old.
Co-star and ex-partner's heartfelt farewell
Carpani's former partner and on-screen colleague, actor Matt Passmore, was among the first to pay tribute. The pair dated for five years after meeting on the set of the iconic Aussie drama, where Carpani played Jodi Fountain and Passmore portrayed Marcus Turner.
Passmore shared a simple but powerful message on Instagram, writing: "Farewell my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you." His post prompted an outpouring of condolences from the entertainment community, including from Australian-American actress Poppy Montgomery.
Cast and fans unite in grief
The news, made public by Carpani's family in a statement on Monday, sent shockwaves through the show's devoted fanbase, despite the series ending 15 years ago. Tributes flooded a 19,000-member Facebook fan page, with one fan writing: "How not even knowing an actress personally but they had such an impact on your life. So gutted to see this."
Fellow McLeod's Daughters star Bridie Carter led the cast's public responses, calling the announcement "the most difficult post." She penned an emotional tribute, remembering Carpani as the "baby" of their on-screen family and praising her "vivid spirit, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour."
A private farewell for a beloved star
Carpani's parents, Tony and Gael Carpani, announced their daughter's passing in a statement first shared by her sister, singer Georgia Carpani, on Instagram. The family confirmed her death was "unexpected but peaceful" and occurred in the early hours of a Sunday morning.
The funeral will be a private event for close family and friends, to be held on Friday, December 19. The Carpani family has requested privacy during this difficult time and stated they will be making no further public statements.
Rachael Carpani's recent work included a guest role on Home and Away in 2024, demonstrating her enduring connection to Australian television. Her passing marks a profound loss for the local industry and for the millions of viewers who cherished her performance as the spirited Jodi Fountain.
