Sophie Heathcote (25 December 1972 – 4 January 2006) was an Australian actress, known for her role in the film Reckless Kelly and for her regular television serial roles, including A Country Practice, Water Rats and Grass Roots

Sophie Heathcote
Born(1972-12-25)25 December 1972
Died4 January 2006(2006-01-04) (aged 33)
Occupation(s)Actress (film and television)
SpouseChris Clarke
ChildrenTwo

Biography

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Heathcote was born in Melbourne[1] on 25 December 1972. She began her acting career with a regular role in the medical drama series A Country Practice as Stephanie "Steve" Brennan, appearing in 117 episodes from 1990 to 1991.

Professional training

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Heathcote graduated from Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in late 1994.

Early credits included roles in Bordertown, GP and Soldier Soldier before taking the ongoing role of Senior Constable Fiona Cassidy in Water Rats (1996–97), followed by a role in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation series Raw FM (1997) in which she played sexy lesbian dancer Sam, a role Heathcote said challenged her more than anything she had done since leaving NIDA. She won an AFI award in 2000 for her role in ABC's Grass Roots.[2][1]

Personal life

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Along with her husband she established an annual fundraising event that raises $500,000 a year for the neonatal unit at the Royal Children's Hospital. The staff there saved the life of their first child, Madeleine, who is believed to have suffered respiratory problems. The couple moved to the US in 2005, basing themselves in New York City.[2][1]

Death

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Heathcote died suddenly on 4 January 2006 in Connecticut,[1] reportedly from an aneurysm.[2] She had also been suffering from skin and pancreatic cancer.[1]

Her funeral was held on 18 January 2006 at St Peter's Church in Toorak, Victoria, Australia. She was survived by her husband, their daughter, and their son.[2] Heathcote is buried at Sorrento Cemetery on the Mornington Peninsula.

Filmography

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Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Home and Away Sonia Episode: "1.460"
1990–91 A Country Practice Stephanie 'Steve' Brennan Main role (series 10–11), 117 episodes)
1992 Bony Sally Episode: "Bird in the Hand"
1993 Reckless Kelly Kathy
1995 Soldier Soldier Tara Jenkins Episode: "Ill Wind"
1995 Bordertown Peggy TV miniseries
1995–96 G.P. Beth Butler Episodes: "Hide and Seek", "Critical Distances"
1996 Sun on the Stubble Lottie Gunther Episode: "Adventures in Paradise"
1996–97 Water Rats Fiona Cassidy Supporting role (series 1–2)
1997–98 Raw FM Sam Kezerko Main role
1998 State Coroner Helen Farmer Episodes: "Days of Reckoning: Parts 1 & 2"
1998 Three Chords and a Wardrobe Rachel Short
1999 Pig's Breakfast TV series
2000 Grass Roots Biddy Marchant Main role (series 1)
2001 Abschied in den Tod Sandy O'Brian TV film

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Water Rats star dies - TV & Radio - Entertainment - SMH.com.au". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Jo Roberts (1 January 2006) "Television star Heathcote dies in US". The Age; retrieved 25 December 2014
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