Betty Helen Lucas (31 May 1924 – 7 April 2015),Betty PETERSON also known as Betty Lucas Peterson, was an Australian character actress and theatre director, known for her numerous roles on stage and television, starting from the post-WWII years in 1945.
Early life Lucas was born in the Sydney suburb of Coogee, New South Wales to Walter Lucas and Marion Gibson. She trained with May Hollinworth at her Metropolitan Theatre.
Career She moved to London in the early 1950s and appeared in stage roles, returning to Australia in 1965, she featured in TV serials, including played prominent roles in Prisoner as Clara Goddard in 1979, Taurus Rising as Faith Drysdale in 1982, and Richmond Hill as Mavis Roberts in 1988, Her numerous credits in TV roles in guest appearances in serials included Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police, Certain Women, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, Blue Heelers, All Saints, Always Greener. and Packed to the Rafters
Personal life Lucas married in 1946 the actor, producer and writer Ralph Peterson, he died in 1996Betty Lucas: Actor played many roles on and off stage, Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 19 October 2017. and their son, Joel Peterson (1954–2017), became a cinematographer.Joel Peterson, filmmaker whose career covered West Papua to Windsor Castle, Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 19 October 2017.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1957Three in OneFreda Feature film (segment: "The City")19713 to Go Mother (Segment "Michael") Short film1971Girl in AustraliaTrain PassengerFeature film1974Between WarsMrs. TrenbowFeature film1980Rat Race ReginaFeature film, FRANCE1983 Stanley (aka Stanley: Every Home Should Have One)Lady DunstanFeature film1984My First WifeHelen's MotherFeature film1990Wendy Cracked a Walnut (aka ...Almost)Mrs. TaggartFeature film1998TheyEight Short film2005FeedJanetFeature film2006JindabyneVanessaFeature film2006Pass TimeHarriett Short film2009The Fortune Teller Short film2010Herman and MarjorieMarjorie Short film2011CupidFrida Short film
Television Year Title Role Notes1957The Shadow of Doubt Teleplay1961WhiplashGuest lead role: Jo ActonTV series, episode: "The Legacy"1962ITV Play of the WeekGuest role: Rose JamesonTV series, episode: "Lean Liberty"1965Dark Corridor Teleplay1967, 1970–73Homicide Barbara Mason / Lisa Walters / Elsie Roberts / Florrie / Margaret Belmont / Shirley Barrett / Sybil ReidTV series, 7 episodes1968The Queen's Bishop Queen Pauline Teleplay1968Fiends of the FamilyVirginia Teleplay1969–73Division 4 Rene Fisher / Mrs. McKenzie / Edie Suttle / Betty ParsonsTV series, 4 episodes1971What For Marianne?Mrs. MaldenTV film1971, 1973Matlock Police Nora Gould / Bess AndersonTV series, 2 episodes: "The End of the Road", "Poor Jacko"1974Things That Go Bump in the Night Irene TV series, episode: "I See a Dark Stranger"1974This Love AffairGuest role TV series, 1 episode1974Silent NumberGuest roleTV series, 1 episode1974–75Certain Women Heather TV series, 9 episodes1975The Seven Ages of ManGuest roleTV series, 1 episode1976Do I Have to Kill My Child? FlorenceTV film1976The Alternative Melanie's MotherTV film1978Case for the Defence Fiona MalcolmTV series, episode: "A Plea of Insanity"1978Cop Shop Mary ReynoldsTV series, 2 episodes: "1.205", "1.206"1979Prisoner Clara GoddardTV series, 10 episodes1979The Young Doctors Sophie BertramTV series, 3 episodes1980Cop Shop Mary ReynoldsTV series, 2 episodes: "1.205", "1.206"1981Bellamy RoseTV series, episode 9: "Hot Shot"1981PunishmentGuest roleTV series, 1 episode1981Homicide Squad Shirley NivenTV film1981; 1984; 1991A Country Practice Mrs. Bourke / Nancy Holt / Dot DaltonTV series, 6 episodes1982The Don Lane Show GuestTV series, 1 episode1982Taurus RisingFaith DrysdaleTV series1982Silent ReachSister BeatrixTV miniseries, 2 episodes1983The Body CorporateJoan Stelow TV film1983All the Rivers RunJanet RaeburnTV miniseries, 2 episodes: "Part 4", "Part 7"1983Skin DeepBetty KennedyTV film1984Runaway IslandThe HagTV series, 2 episodes: "The Treasure of the Conquistadores: Parts 1 & 2"1987; 1989 Ethel Cameron / PhillipaTV series, 2 episodes: "Give a Dog a Bad Name", "A Rhyme for Reason"1987Willing and AbelLead guest role: MaisieTV series, 1 episode1988Richmond HillMavis RobertsTV series, episodes: "1.11", "1.35", "1.90"1988The Last Resort TV series1988The Dirtwater Dynasty Land LadyTV miniseries, 1 episode 1989 The Family Business Regular role TV series, 13 episodes1989Tanamera – Lion of Singapore Lady BradshawTV miniseries, 7 episodes1990More Winners Mrs. Finkel TV film series, episode: "Mr Edmund"1991; 1995G.P. Elwyn Matthews / Miss Shepherd TV series, 2 episodes: "Darby & Joan", "Those Who Can't"1993Seven Deadly Sins TV series, 1 episode1993Hey Dad..! R.J. ThomasTV series, episode: "Fishy Business"1993Joh's Jury EvelynTV film1994Mother and Son Mavis TV series, episode: "The Lamingtons"1996Pacific DriveVonnie WentworthTV pilot1996Water Rats Sybil GrahamTV series, episode: "Goldstein & Son"1996Heartbreak High Violet AbernathyTV series, episode: "4.16"1998Murder Call Prudence SmithTV series, episode: "Mix 'n' Match"1999, 2002, 2006, 2009All Saints Sister Bernard / Hannah McNamara / Mae MooneyTV series, 6 episodes2000, 2003Blue Heelers Mary Barton / Dorothy Falcon-PriceTV series, 2 episodes: "Welcome Back", "Father's Day: Part 2"2001–02Always Greener Florence HolidayTV series, 5 episodes2002Young Lions Grace BeaumontTV series, episode: "Asylum Seekers"2005 Miriam BeckTV series, 2 episodes: "1.5", "1.7"2010Packed to the Rafters Mrs. LuscombeTV series, episode: "To Tell or Not to Tell"
References
External links .