Wendy Hughes facts for kids

Wendy Hughes (born 29 July 1952 – died 8 March 2014) was a famous Australian actress. She was well-known for her work in plays, movies, and TV shows. Her acting career lasted over 40 years. She was seen as one of Australia's best and busiest actors. Later in her career, she acted in Happy New Year with stars Peter Falk and Charles Durning. In 1993, she played Dr. Carol Blythe in Homicide: Life on the Street. In the late 1990s, she starred in State Coroner and Paradise Road.

Wendy Hughes's Acting Journey

Wendy Hughes was born in Melbourne, Australia. Her parents were from England. When she was younger, Wendy wanted to be a ballerina. But as a teenager, she decided to focus on acting instead. She later studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). After improving her skills with the Melbourne Theatre Company, she got her first movie role in Petersen in 1974. In the early 1970s, she also started acting on television. One of her first TV roles was in the series Power Without Glory, which began in 1976.

Wendy Hughes was called "one of the most important players" in Australian film. She worked with famous Australian artists. These included the camera expert John Seale and writers David Williamson and Bob Ellis. She was a main actor during the "New Australian Film" period in the 1970s.

Becoming a Star Actress

Wendy Hughes first became known around the world for her role as Patricia in the movie Lonely Hearts (1982). This movie started a long working relationship with director Paul Cox.

As a leading actress in Australian movies, Wendy Hughes had many roles in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of her films included Newsfront, My Brilliant Career, Lonely Hearts, and Careful, He Might Hear You.

Wendy Hughes first acted in an American movie in 1987. It was called Happy New Year. She acted alongside Peter Falk and Charles Durning. In 1989, she starred with Pierce Brosnan in The Heist, a TV movie. She also appeared on TV sometimes. For example, she played Jilly Stewart in the mini-series Return to Eden in 1983.

In the early 1990s, she spent time in the United States. There, she played Dr. Carol Blythe in the TV series Homicide: Life on the Street. She also appeared in the mini-series Amerika. She was a guest star as Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She played one of the few characters that Captain Jean-Luc Picard had a romantic interest in.

Back in Australia, Wendy Hughes played main roles on TV. These included The Man From Snowy River and State Coroner. Her movie roles around this time included Princess Caraboo and Paradise Road. Later film roles were Salvation (2007) and The Man Who Sued God (2001).

Wendy also performed in many plays. She was Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate (2001). She played Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2007). Her last TV appearance was in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Awards and Recognition

Wendy Hughes was nominated for six Australian Film Institute acting awards. She won the Best Lead Actress award in 1983. This was for her role in Careful, He Might Hear You.

Her Family Life

Wendy Hughes had two children. She had a son with restaurateur Patric Juillet. She also had a daughter named Charlotte with actor Chris Haywood. She was married to actor Sean Scully for a short time.

Her Passing

Wendy Hughes passed away from cancer on 8 March 2014. She was 61 years old. Actor Bryan Brown told the audience at a play in Sydney about her death. He asked everyone to give a standing ovation to honor the actress.

Filmography

MOVIES

TELEVISION:

STAGE PLAYS

• Butterflies Are Free (1971)
• An Ideal Husband (1976)
• Batman's Beachhead (1976)
• Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1981)
• Present Laughter (1983)
• Happy Days - The Musical (1999-2000)
• The Graduate (2001)
• Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (2007;2013)
• Honour (2010;2013)
• Pygmalion (2012)

See also

In Spanish: Wendy Hughes para niños