Geraldine Mary Brophy (born 1961) is a New Zealand television, film and stage actress, theatre director and playwright.[1][2][3]

Biography

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Brophy was born in Birmingham, England, to Irish parents, John and Marie Brophy.[1][4] She and her family emigrated to New Zealand in 1972, when she was 12 years old.[5][6] Educated at Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt,[7] she left school when she was 16 years old, and received her first professional acting role in 1983, at the Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North.[5][6] The following year, she joined the Fortune Theatre company in Dunedin, and for ten years she was a core member of the Court Theatre company in Christchurch. She has also appeared for Downstage Theatre and Circa Theatre in Wellington, and the Auckland Theatre Company. In 2002, Brophy played the title role in the New Zealand Actors' Company production of Shakespeare's King Lear, Leah.[3][8]

Brophy's first film appearance was in Fiona Samuel's film Home Movie in 1997, for which she won the New Zealand Film and Television Best Actress Award. After this role she was cast as the receptionist, Moira Crombie, in television soap opera Shortland Street, and played the character for four years. In the 2000s, Brophy appeared in television and film productions, including a season of Dancing with the Stars, during which she was injured and required surgery.[1]

In 2003, Brophy began writing plays. Her first play was The Viagra Monologues, followed in 2004 by Mary’s Gospel and Confessions of a Chocoholic.[1] She has also written Real Estate, The Paradise Package and The Merry Wives of Windsor Avenue, which was commissioned by Downstage and Centrepoint Theatres in 2008. Brophy and her daughter Beatrice Joblin co-wrote Ladies a Plate.[2][9]

Brophy has also directed plays on stage. In 2007, she directed Finding Murdoch for Downstage Theatre, Doubt for the Court Theatre, and Wednesday to Come. The following year she directed Under Milk Wood for the Court Theatre.[3]

In 2023, Brophy was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for her services to entertainment.

Screenography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2019 Births, Deaths & Marriages Aunty Ngaire [10]
2017 Pork Pie Andy [10]
2012 Eternity Veronica [10]
2011 Hook, Line and Sinker Bernadette [10]
2011 The Devil's Rock Voice of the Demon [10]
2009 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Nobleman's Wife
2008 Second Hand Wedding Jill Rose [10]
2007 The Water Horse Gracie [11]
2004 In My Father's Den Det. Farnon [3][10]

Television

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Years Title Role Notes Reference
2023 Little Apocalypse Nanny 5 episodes
2022 Wellington Paranormal Pakeha Ghost (voice) Episode: "Skeleton Crew"
2021–2023 Under the Vines Morag 2 episodes
2019 The Brokenwood Mysteries Elsa Episode: "The Power of Steam"
2014 How to Murder Your Wife Betty Benning TV movie [10]
2012 Siege Kris McGehan TV movie [10]
2009 Dancing with the Stars Herself (contestant) [10]
2007 Welcome to Paradise Despina Episode: "Little Bo Peepshow" [12]
2007 Outrageous Fortune Mrs Haggerty Episode: "Bow Stubborn Knees" [10]
2005 Maddigan's Quest Ida Episode: "Hillfolk" [10]
2005–2006 Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby Marion Patterson 8 episodes [10]
2005 The Insider's Guide to Love Trish 3 episodes [10]
2004 Serial Killers Sandy Episode: "Product Placement" [10]
1997–2001 Shortland Street Moira Crombie 25 episodes [10]
1997 Home Movie Bridie [10]

Awards and recognition

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Year Award Category Nominated for Result Notes
2015 New York City International Film Festival Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Feature (Length) Film How to Murder Your Wife Won [13]
2008 Bruce Mason Playwriting Award Short listed [14]
2008 Qantas Film and Television Awards Best Actress - Film Second-Hand Wedding Won [13]
2000 New Zealand Film and Television Awards Best Actress - Television Shortland Street Nominated [13]
1998 TV Guide Television Awards Best Actress Home Movie Won [13]
1996 Chapman Tripp Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role Tzigane Won [15]

Personal life

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Brophy is married to actor Ross Joblin and has two daughters.[1] Their daughter Beatrice Joblin is a writer, director and producer.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Geraldine Brophy". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Geraldine Brophy". www.playmarket.org.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Ginette McDonald returns to Downstage Theatre". www.scoop.co.nz. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ "John Brophy obituary". The Post. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "The real Geraldine Brophy". Stuff. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Geraldine Brophy | Dancing With The Stars". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Michele Hewitson interview: Geraldine Brophy". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Tragedy of a fledgling company of actors". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Ladies a Plate - Nutrition for the heart, mind and soul". www.theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Geraldine Brophy". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  11. ^ "The Water Horse". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Other side of paradise". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d "Geraldine Brophy". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Short list for NZ's National Playwriting Award". The Big Idea. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Geraldine Brophy". www.atc.co.nz. Auckland Theatre Company. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
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