Joanne Samuel (born 5 August 1957) is an

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal A ...

film and television actress, who is best known for her role as the screen wife of

Mel Gibson Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor, film director, and producer. He is best known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apoca ...

's title character in the 1979 film ''

Mad Max ''Mad Max'' is an Australian post-apocalyptic action film series and media franchise created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy. It began in 1979 with '' Mad Max'', and was followed by three sequels: ''Mad Max 2'' (1981, released in the Unite ...

''.

Biography and career

Samuel was born in Camperdown, Sydney, Australia. She studied dance with Honeybrooks and drama at the Independent Theatre Prior to her appearance in ''Mad Max'', Samuel had made guest appearances in police procedurals ''

Matlock Police ''Matlock Police'' is an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network (now known as the 10 Network) between 1971 and 1976. The series focused on the police station and crime in the Victorian town o ...

'' and '' Homicide''. She was then a regular cast member in television soap operas '' Class of '74'', ''

The Sullivans ''The Sullivans'' is an Australian period drama television series produced by Crawford Productions which ran on the Nine Network from 15 November 1976 until 10 March 1983. The series tells the story of a fictional average middle-cla ...

'' and ''

The Young Doctors ''The Young Doctors'' is an Australian early-evening soap opera originally broadcast on the Nine Network and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation, it aired from Monday, 8 November 1976 until Wednesday, 30 March 1983. The series is prima ...

''. She left ''The Young Doctors'' after the producers wrote her out of the show when she was offered the ''Mad Max'' role after a fellow ''Young Doctors'' actress who had been due to take the role fell ill. Samuel later returned to television in the regular role of Kelly Morgan-Young in '' Skyways''. Samuel's other film appearances included roles in ''

Alison's Birthday ''Alison's Birthday'' is a 1981 Australian horror film, written and directed by Ian Coughlan, produced by the Australian Film Commission, Fontana Films and the Seven Network, and starring Joanne Samuel, Lou Brown, Bunney Brooke, John Bluthal, an ...

'' (1981), '' Early Frost'' (1982), '' Queen of the Road'' (1984), '' The Long Way Home'' (1985), ''

Nightmaster The Nightmaster is a fictional character, a sword and sorcery hero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in ''Showcase'' #82 (May 1969), and was created by Denny O'Neil and Jerry Grandenetti. Publication history Following his introduction ...

'' (1987, opposite

Nicole Kidman Nicole Mary Kidman (born 20 June 1967) is an American and Australian actress and producer. Known for her work across various film and television productions from several genres, she has consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid act ...

), '' Gallagher's Travels'' (1987), and ''

Spook Spook is a synonym for ghost. Spook or spooks may also refer to: People * Spook (nickname), shared by several notable people * Per Spook (born 1939), Norwegian fashion designer * a ghostwriter * a racial slur referring to a black person * an unde ...

'' (1988). She later guest starred in '' Hey Dad..!'' as Jeanette Taylor and '' All Saints'', and played Ms. Bingle in ''

The Wiggles Movie ''The Wiggles Movie'' is a 1997 Australian children's musical comedy film produced by 20th Century Fox and Gladusaurus Productions. Released in Australia on 18 December 1997, it is the only theatrical feature-length film starring the Wiggles. Th ...

'' (1997). Samuel is the vice chairman of BOOMPAA, Blue Mountains Performing Arts Association. She appeared as Doris Mercher in the 2017 family film ''

My Pet Dinosaur ''My Pet Dinosaur'' is a 2017 Australian adventure family film written and directed by Matt Drummond, and produced by Megan Williams. Synopsis A young boy befriends a dinosaur and discovers a mysterious conspiracy which could h ...

'', directed by Matt Drummond.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

* 1957 births Living people Australian film actresses Australian television actresses {{Australia-screen-actor-stub