Elaine Smith (born 23 April 1962) is a Scottish-Australian former actress, known for her role as Daphne Clarke in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1985 until 1988.
Early life Smith was born in Largs, Scotland. Her family moved to Perth, Western Australia when she was young.
Career Smith auditioned for a guest role in new series Neighbours in 1984. However her appearance, particularly her short spiky hair, caught the attention of the casting director and she was cast as regular character Daphne Lawrence. Smith continued in the role until 1988. Prior to this she had a small guest role in soap opera Sons and Daughters in 1984 as a flight attendant.
After leaving Neighbours, Smith guested as Jenny Rose in an episode of The Flying Doctors. She starred in the 1991 miniseries Ratbag Hero as Mum, alongside Cameron Nugent and Marcus Graham. In 1992, Smith joined the main cast of the revamped Flying Doctors series R.F.D.S. as Dr Sissy Wetherall. Subsequent credits include State Coroner, Always Greener, and Home and Away. She made two guest appearances in All Saints in August 2005 and March 2006.
Smith later earned a teaching degree and became a Year 3 teacher at a Sydney primary school. In 2025, Smith revealed that she had declined offers from Neighbours producers to either return as a ghost or a twin. She decided to retire from acting and is a private tutor for neurodiverse children.
Personal life Smith was in a relationship with her Neighbours co-star Peter O'Brien.
She is married to actor and writer, Jonathan Biggins. The couple met while performing together in a Melbourne play. Smith and Biggins have twin daughters, who were born in February 2000.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Type 1972 The Office Picnic Feature film 1983 The City's Edge Extra Feature film 1984 Every Picture Tells a Story: The Art Films Of James Scott Female Striker Feature film documentary, UK
Television Year Title Role Type 1984 Sons and Daughters Air Stewardess Guest role 1984 Carson's Law Angela Watson Episodes: "La Cenicienta", "All Is Fair" 1985–1988 Neighbours Daphne Clarke Regular role 1986–1987 It's a Knockout Guest referee / Participant 2 episodes 1988 The Flying Doctors Jenny Rose Episode: "Preacher Man" 1988 Hey Hey It's Saturday Herself 1 episode (Red Faces segment) 1989 A Country Practice Helen Grey Episodes: "Sanctuary: Parts 1 & 2" 1990 Flair Megan Recurring role 1990 The Paper Man Celia Ward Episodes: "Looking at the Stars", "Every Post a Winner" 1991 Ratbag Hero Mum Recurring role 1993 Bay City Regular role 1993 Time Trax Claudine Baker Episode: "Night of the Savage" 1993 R.F.D.S. Dr. Sissy Wetherall Regular role 1995 G.P. Wendy Dowling Episode: "Grown Ups" 1996 The Adventures of the Bush Patrol Voice Animated TV series 1996–1998 State Coroner Dr. Julie Travers Regular role 1998 Bullpitt! Journalist Episode: "Too Many Teds" 1999 Hububb Rosa Episode: "No Go Pogo" 2001 Wicked! Eileen Regular role 2002 Always Greener Mrs. Slate Episode: "Cliffhanger" 2005, 2006 All Saints Joanne Miller Episodes: "Immortal", "No Way Out" 2006 Home and Away Grace Carter Episode 4266
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