Beloved Australian actress renowned for her work in the Channel Ten series Number 96 dead at 105

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Australian television is mourning the loss of Elisabeth Kirkby, a beloved actress and one of its earliest stars, who passed away last Monday at the age of 105.

Although Kirkby had a remarkable life outside of acting, she’s best remembered for her iconic television roles, which have made her a legend in Australian entertainment.

She became famous in the 1970s for her role as Lucy Sutcliffe on the popular, but unconventional, soap opera Number 96. Lucy was known for being clever and memorable.

Kirkby was one of the original cast members, debuting in the very first episode of the show in 1972 and appearing in an impressive total of 886 episodes.

When Australian TV was still developing its style, ‘Number 96’ became a huge hit, and Kirkby was one of the show’s most recognizable and beloved stars.

Lucy Sutcliffe was a memorable character who brought a mix of kindness and sharpness to the lively and unpredictable world of the show. She played a key role in a series that was both groundbreaking and became a beloved part of millions of viewers’ nightly routines.

While Kirkby became well-known for her role in the soap opera Number 96, she’d already established herself as a talented dramatic actress on Australian television, both before and during her time on the show.

He appeared in numerous episodes of popular Crawford Productions shows like Homicide, and also had roles in Riptide and Glenview High.

After relocating to Sydney in the mid-60s, I really broadened my creative horizons. I started working on educational films and documentaries, which was a fantastic way to explore different storytelling methods and really hone my skills across various media formats. It was all about finding new ways to connect with an audience!

She really excelled in television dramas, delivering realistic and relatable performances as local production techniques were quickly improving.

People who worked with and watched her always remembered her as a reliable and talented performer. She could effortlessly move between being friendly and approachable to being commanding and confident.

Even after the show ended and into the 2000s, Kirkby sometimes got together with her former co-stars from Number 96. These reunions highlighted how much of an impact the show – and her part in it – had made on Australian culture.

She married Derek Llewellyn-Jones, a well-known medical writer, and their son, Tony, also became an actor. He’s known for his work in popular shows and films like Picnic At Hanging Rock and Blue Heelers.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by those who truly leave their mark on our culture. And when I think about Australian television, Jack Kirkby immediately comes to mind. He wasn’t just an actor; he was a pioneer who really helped define those early days of Aussie drama. What’s even more incredible is that he was a beloved part of one of our most famous TV families for nearly a thousand episodes – that’s a legacy few performers achieve!

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Besides her work on television, Kirkby also hosted radio shows on Sydney stations 2BL and 2GB.

Later in life, Kirkby transitioned to a career in politics, becoming the parliamentary leader of the Australian Democrats in the New South Wales Legislative Council, a position she held from 1981 to 1998.

Kirkby received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for her outstanding work in the arts.

People have been sharing stories about her incredibly long career and the huge impact she had on the television industry. She started working when TV was first becoming popular, in the days of black-and-white broadcasts, and her work continued to influence viewers for decades.

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2026-04-27 03:49