It was a devastating weekend for the acting industry. The day after famed director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead of a reported stabbing, news that Rachael Carpani had died was confirmed.
The Australian had several television acting credits to her name, including an appearance on N.C.I.S Los Angeles in 2009. Her sister Georgia shared in a statement Monday that Rachael had died in the early hours of December 7. The 45-year-old had earned several Logie Award nominations in Australia for her work on the series McLeod’s Daughter.
Rachael Carpani died “unexpectedly” on Sunday December 14
Rachael’s family is mourning her loss, which, despite her health issues, they had not seen coming. In a statement posted on her Instagram account, Georgia says she died “unexpectedly but peacefully.” She adds that her sister had a long battle with a “chronic illness.”
The family asked for privacy after confirming the sad news. While she gained notoriety in her home country, Rachael appeared in numerous American shows, including N.C.I.S, The Glades, and Against the Wall. She also previously appeared opposite fellow Aussie Liam Hemsworth in the movie Triangle.
She had a small role alongside Chris O’Donnell in N.C.I.S, with the latter boasting an estimated net worth of $26 million this year. Following the success of McLeod’s Daughter, Racahel aimed to pursue an acting career in the United States. She was cast in the CBS pilot Law Dogs alongside Janeane Garofalo, but the series was not picked up.
Rachael became a recurring character on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, playing Claudia Salini beginning in 2024. She was born in Sydney, the same place where she died.
Georgia said that a private funeral will be held in her honor on December 19 with close family and friends.
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