Arianthe Galani (born 9 April 1940), is a Greek New Zealander character actress, and commercial advertiser and former opera singer, who has worked in England and in Australia.Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96", published by Melbourne Books She is known for her roles in TV soap operas and serials, TV commercials, as well as films, where she is primarily known for recurring roles, guest roles and cameos.
Career Galani started her career in opera and sang professionally before she became known as an actress. She worked as a singer in England for four years in the 1960s, then joined the Australian Opera for five years between 1967 and 1972.Richard Coleman 'From sausage rolls to queenly role' The Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1980 p. 8
Galani had played a regular role in local soap opera, Number 96 as Maria Panucci, the aunt of Harry Michaels' character Giovanni from late 1976, until the end of the series in August 1977.
In 1979, Galani appeared in the first series of cult drama TV series Prisoner, as Mrs. Bentley, in a controversial story-arc about a woman who had buried a child alive, a crime that was later falsely blamed on Lynn Warner (Kerry Armstrong), who was subsequently wrongly convicted and imprisoned whilst protesting her innocence. The character played a crucial role in one of the show's original storylines, and with the series gaining international success in numerous countries, it is probably Galani's most widely known role.
In 1980, Galani took a regular role in Australian Broadcasting Corporation situation comedy series Home Sweet Home, appearing until 1982.
Other television credits include Matlock Police, Homicide, The Young Doctors, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, Home and Away, Police Rescue, Murder Call, Something in the Air, All Saints and Blue Heelers.
Galani also featured in a series of television adverts for Jalna Greek Yoghurt and Mortein.
Acting credits
Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1984 Melvin: Son of Alvin Mrs. Giannis Feature film 1985 A Street to Die Dr. Walsea Feature film 1987 Dear Cardholder Antoinette Feature film 1992 Resistance Mother Feature film 1993 Love in Limbo (aka Touch Me, Kiss Me, Love Me) Mrs. Costanides Feature film 1995 Billy's Holiday Anna Musical feature film 1998 The Picture Woman Woman (voice) Short film 1999 Threaded Donna Short film 2000 Dogwoman: A Grrrl's Best Friend Mrs. Jayasinge TV movie 2001 Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes Beatrice TV movie Bowl Me Over Flora Short film 2008 Bella Bella's Mom Short film (2 parts)
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1974 Matlock Police Angela Episode: "Dennis" 1976 Homicide Angela Farella Episode: "Wrong End of the Gun" 1976–1977 Number 96 Maria Panucci 51 episodes 1977 Pig in a Poke Episode: "Theo's Story" 1979 Prisoner Mrs. Bentley 2 episodes 1980 The Young Doctors Mother Superior 1 episode 1980–1982 Home Sweet Home Maria Pacelli 26 episodes 1982 A Country Practice Rhonda Shaw Episodes: "A Sign of Affection'" Part 1 & Part 2 1986 The Great Bookie Robbery Mrs. Davis Miniseries, 1 episode1988 Melba Melika Miniseries, 2 episodes The Flying Doctors Connie Porter 1 episode A Dangerous Life Josephine Reyes Miniseries, 2 episodes1990 Come in Spinner Miniseries, 2 episodes Home and Away Gina Lucini 6 episodes1991 G.P. Raffaella Graziano 4 episodes A Country Practice Bunica Enescu Episodes: "A Brief Encounter" Part 1 and Part 2) E Street Maggie 1 episode 1991–1995 Police Rescue Sophia Angelopoulos 4 episodes 1992 Six Pack Anna 1 episode 1994–2002 Blue Heelers Helena Hasham 6 episodes 1995 Heartbreak High Yaya 1 episode 1999–2000 All Saints Gilda Poletti 3 episodes2000 Murder Call Antoinette de Bono 1 episode Something in the Air Nanny Sofia 2 episodes 2002 The Angel Files Alexandra Lucini 2003 Marking Time Mrs. Spiro Miniseries 2007 Satisfaction Mrs. G 2 episodes 2010 Dance Academy Julianna 1 episode 2015 The Principal Mrs. Bashir Miniseries, 2 episodes 2017 Pulse Chrissy Ropolous 1 episode2019 Secret City Chrissy Ropolous 1 episode Lambs of God Abess 4 episodes 2021 Amazing Grace Yia Yia 1 episode
Stage Source: YearTitleRoleNotesRef. 1969 Iolanthe Leila Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide with J. C. Williamson's & AETT 1972 La bohème Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide with Opera Australia & Williamson-Edgley Theatres Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane with Opera Australia Rigoletto Countess Ceprano Opera Australia 1976 Saturday Sunday Monday Independent Theatre, Sydney 1980 The Oresteia Klytemnestra / Klytemnestra's Ghost Nimrod Theatre, Sydney 1985 La Cage aux Folles Jacqueline Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, Palais Theatre, Melbourne with J. C. Williamson's 1986 The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC 1989 Salome Crossroads Theatre, Sydney with Pasolini Playhouse 1991 Phaedra Oenome Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC 1992 The Crucible Anne Puttnaur STC 1994 The Gift of the Gorgon Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC 1996 Medea Nurse Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC 2002 Same, Same But Different Mature Woman Sydney Opera House, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane with Force Majeure & Performing Lines
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