Moya O'Sullivan Macarthur (8 June 1926 â 16 January 2018) was an Australian-born actress who worked both locally and briefly in the United Kingdom. She was best known for her long-running role as the popular character Marlene Kratz in the soap opera Neighbours between 1994 and 1997.
O'Sullivan was born to Eugene and Nancy O'Sullivan (née Morgan) and had an older brother, Peter. She was raised in the Sydney suburb of Randwick. Having graduated from school, she was tutored in drama classes under Dorothy Hemingway and started her career as a stage performer in the 1950s with the Mosman Theatre Company.
O'Sullivan trained in radio under Rosalind Kennerdale, and through her, gained agent John Cover, the husband of actress Queenie Ashton, who had a company, Central Casting. She received her first acting role in a Caltex Theatre production of Chance of a Ghost on 2GB and 4BH. O'Sullivan appeared in numerous other radio productions, such as Dr. Paul, When a Girl Marries, Blue Hills, In a Sunburnt Country and Life with Dexter.
With the advent of television, O'Sullivan became a familiar face in televised plays, as well as featuring in television advertisements. She made her debut in 1960 in the ABC production Farewell, Farewell Eugene, and appeared in The Slaughter of St Teresa's Day. She then began appearing in Australian soap operas and serials, beginning in 1961 with the daytime soap The Story of Peter Gray, playing the role of Anne Vail.
In the mid-1960s, O'Sullivan tried her luck in the United Kingdom, where she featured in radio, television and on the West End stage circuit. Notable credits included James Patrick Donleavy's production A Singular Man, in which she played the role of Mrs Martin and Miss Sheily in a 1964 BBC Television of The Harp in the South.
O'Sullivan returned to Australia in 1965, where she featured in the theatrical production Inadmissible Evidence, alongside Anne Haddy. Her television roles included playing Mrs Mason in the 1960s original series of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, guesting in Homicide and Matlock Police and playing the recurring role of Eileen Vickers in Division 4.
In 1975, O'Sullivan had a three-month stint in the serial Number 96 playing the prominent role of Phyllis Pratt. She then featured in medical soap opera The Young Doctors opposite Paula Duncan and Gwen Plumb, before making guest appearances as Lorna Close in Crawford Productions police drama Cop Shop. Her character was mother to Valerie Close-Johnson (Joanna Lockwood), mother-in-law to Jeffrey Johnson and eventual wife of Eric O'Reilly (Terry Norris).
After leaving Cop Shop in 1982, O'Sullivan featured in Sons and Daughters as Aileen Keegan. She appeared in Patrol Boat, Kingswood Country, 1986 miniseries Whose Baby and had several guest roles in A Country Practice throughout the 1980s. She played Grandma Lois Kelly in Hey Dad..!, and had further guest roles in Bodysurfer, G.P., Water Rats, Home and Away, Blue Heelers and All Saints. From 1992 to 1993, she had a regular role in the Skippy reboot, The Adventures of Skippy, as Thelma Woods.
In 1994, O'Sullivan secured an ongoing role on long-running soap opera Neighbours as Marlene Kratz, bringing her international recognition. Her character was mother to Cheryl Stark (played by Caroline Gillmer) and she shared scenes with Tom Oliver, Richard Grieve and Kimberley Davies. She departed the series in 1997, when her character went on a three month cruise. In 2005, alongside many other former cast members, O'Sullivan reprised the role of Kratz, for a reunion special, commemorating Neighbours' 20th anniversary.
O'Sullivan continued acting throughout the 2000s, with a role in Home & Away in 2002, and several guest appearances in All Saints in 2001 and 2008. She never held any other long-standing roles; remaining a well-recognised guest artist, who often played hapless old grannies in her later years. In 2004, she performed in the stage show Leading Ladies: Off the Cuff alongside Carmen Duncan, Judy Nunn, Rowena Wallace and Justine Saunders.
O'Sullivan's final role was in Tricky Business in 2012. The following year, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Glugs Theatrical Awards.
O'Sullivan was married to Ben Macarthur until their divorce. She frequently undertook volunteer work, particularly in schools.
O'Sullivan died aged 91 in Bondi Junction, Sydney on 16 January 2018. Her funeral was held at St Joseph's Church in Edgecliff. She was survived by her sister-in-law Kaaren, nephew Mark, nieces Cait and Bridget and two grandchildren.