Australian actress Cornelia Frances sadly passed away Monday May 28, aged 77, after announcing she was suffering from bladder cancer in January.
The 77-year-old TV veteran leaves behind her son Lawrence Eastland and her dearly loved 17-year-old granddaughter Tipani. Lawrence shared a post dedicated to his mother on Instagram last night, writing “She is so peaceful, soft and serene. I truly love this woman.”
Take a look back at her incredible life here.
Cornelia was known for her long-running role as Morag Bellingham on Home and Away, along with her roles acting in Sons and Daughters, Young Doctors, and her role as host on Australia’s version of The Weakest Link.
Cornelia (far right) starred as Morag Bellingham from 1988 to 2017 on Home and Away.
In a statement made to The Daily Telegraph, her Home and Away on-screen brother Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) said the cast and crew had a moment of silence on set this morning.
“Cornie was an incredibly loved and valued member of our cast over many, many years,” Meagher said. “We had a moment of silence for her on set this morning and she’ll be sadly missed by both cast and crew.”
“I worked with Cornelia for many years,” Lynne McGranger adds. “She was very loved and respected. In a way she paved the way for women in Australian TV always playing such strong characters. My thoughts are with Lawrence and her family.”
Ada Nicodemou adds: “Cornelia was very loved and respected. She will be sadly missed. Lawrence, her family and friends are in our thoughts.”
Cornelia’s fellow Home and Away co-stars and other Australian celebrities have taken to social media to honour the late actress, praising her as ‘generous’ and ‘iconic’.
“Vale Dear Cornie, we loved working with you,” wrote former Home and Away star Debra Lawrance. “Larger than life and such a generous heart. The end of a very fine career.”
Ada Nicodemou shared a photo with Cornelia.
“Yesterday we lost our dear friend and colleague,” she writes on Instagram. “Corney you’ll be sadly missed, we all loved and respected you so much. Thank you for your friendship, your big beautiful heart and your amazing laugh. May you Rest In Peace.”
Georgie Parker shared a portrait of the late actress, writing “She gave so much of herself to us over the years. An incredible body of work left for us to reflect on and thank her for. Cornelia, you truly are one in a million. You were a great actress, Mother and friend to many. We will all miss you dearly. Rest In Peace.”
Emily Symons shared a photo of Cornelia on-set with Judy Nunn, Ray Meagher and Norman Coburn.
“Such terribly sad news about our beautiful Corney. An incredible lady, a loving mother and a magnificent actress. Kind, generous and so much fun,” she wrote.
“Marilyn’s ill-fated stint as Morag Bellingham’s housekeeper is one of my favourite Corney memories and we laughed about it many times over the years. This photo is how I will always remember her, having a laugh with Judy, Ray and Norman. With wine. Rest In Peace darling, we shall miss you.”
David Jones-Roberts shared an image from a scene he shared with Cornelia on Instagram.
“I had the pleasure of working with the beautiful, amazing, iconic Cornelia Frances,” he wrote in the caption. “I remember being intimidated, when I was going to shoot my first scene with her. As she played such a strong intimidating woman and I had no idea what to expect. Instead she greeted me with a big smile, a big hug and told me stories about working with my dad on Sons and Daughters. Such a lovely woman. You’ll be missed RIP.”
“Vale #CorneliaFrances. You were always ahead of the game. Will miss your witty banter on-set X” wrote former H&A star Lincoln Younes.
Former Home and Away star Kimberley Cooper shared a sweet story about a conversation she had with Cornelia on the way to the Logies one year.
“Limo on the way to the Logies: Me: I’m coming on Celebrity Weakest Link next week. Cornelia: I know! Me: Can I vote for you to be eliminated Cornelia: (eyes narrow, slight smirk) You can try. An absolute gem of a human and a wit that could slice through metal it was that sharp. You will be missed but never forgotten xx”
Comedian Joel Creasy wrote: “‘I met Cornelia Frances when I was 11. I was pretty terrified but she could not have been sweeter and I have always remembered that. Sad day.”
David Campbell wrote that Cornelia was a ‘terrific’ actor and ‘lovely’ person.
H&A’s Nic Bishop wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“My beautiful friend Corny. Today our hearts are heavy,” he says. “Your smile was always so broad. Your arms always wide open. And your stories could fill up an ocean. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”
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