Leonie Elva "Noni" Hazelhurst AM, (born 17 August 1953) is an Australian actress, director, writer, presenter and broadcaster who has appeared on television and radio, in dramas, mini-series and made for television films, as well also on stage and in feature films since the early 1970s. Hazlehurst has been honoured with numerous awards including Australian Film Institute Awards, ARIA Awards and Logies, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Noni Hazlehurst
Hazlehurst on Balance with Deborah Hutton in 2016
Born
Leonie Elva Hazlehurst

(1953-08-17) 17 August 1953 (age 71)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupations
Years activec. 1973–present
Known forPlay School (TV series) as presenter (1978–2001)
Better Homes and Gardens (TV series) as presenter 1995–2005
Notable workFilm:
Television:
Spouses
(m. 1975; div. 1978)
(m. 1988; div. 1999)
PartnerIan Marden (2003–2013)
Children2

Early life

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Hazlehurst was born in Melbourne. After attending St Leonard's College in Brighton East, Victoria, Hazlehurst studied Drama at Flinders University in South Australia from 1971 to 1973, where she resided at Flinders University Hall and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. She has studied ballet, singing, piano, speech and drama. In the 1980s and 1990s, much of her work concentrated on children's television.

Both her parents were English,[1][2] and they migrated to Australia in 1951.[3]

Career

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Television

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Along with roles at the ABC, her first television work was in guest lead roles in television serials produced by Crawford Productions. She played the regular role of Sharon Lewis in The Box in 1975 before joining the original cast of The Sullivans as Lil Duggan in late 1976. She was a Play School presenter from 1978 to 2001, and has been a National Ambassador or Patron for many children's events and charities, including Children's Week (1991-2007)[4] and Barnardos.[5] She has worked extensively for children. Hazlehurst has recorded several music and spoken word albums, including the children's music album Shout and Whisper (1988).

Hazlehurst appeared in the miniseries Nancy Wake (played the title role), as well as such films and miniseries as The Shiralee, Ride on Stranger, and Waterfront in the 1980s.

From 1995 to 2005, she hosted the Seven Networks Better Homes and Gardens, a lifestyle show which is affiliated with the monthly magazine of the same name.

In 2006, she starred in ABC's telemovie Stepfather of the Bride. From 2007 to 2011, she played Detective Superintendent Bernice Waverley on Channel Seven crime drama City Homicide. In 2010, she was a guest on The 7pm Project on Network Ten. In July 2011, as part of a rapidly growing internet meme, she read the book Go the Fuck to Sleep to camera in the style she formerly used on Play School. She immediately offered to record a reading of the book after being sent a copy by the publisher.,[6]

Beginning in 2013, she appeared as Elizabeth Bligh in the 1950s-set Australian melodrama A Place to Call Home on the Seven Network, playing the wealthy matriarch of the family. The show was renewed for a second series which premiered in 2014, following the second series the show was briefly cancelled yet the show was unexpectedly commissioned for a third series which came in 2015. The show then went into production for a fourth series which aired in 2016 and a fifth season airing in 2017 with the final sixth season airing in 2018. She played "Ambrose" in ABC TV's The Letdown (2017–2019) and as Pamela in a new series The End (2019).

Film

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Hazlehurst has had starring roles in Australian films since the 1980s, including roles in Fatty Finn, Fran and Australian Dream. Her most prominent role during this decade was as the lead, Nora, in Monkey Grip (1982), based on Helen Garner's novel of the same name. The film, concerning the relationship between a single mother and a heroin addict, was a modest box-office success in Australia and received generally favourable reviews from critics. She later starred in Little Fish in 2005, Candy in 2006, and Bitter & Twisted in 2008. Recent film roles include The Mule, Truth, The Broken Shore and Ladies in Black.

Radio

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Hazlehurst is a regular freelance presenter on 774 ABC Melbourne.

Theatre

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Credits include The Man from Mukinupin, On Our Selection, Traitors, Hamlet, No Names, No Packdrill, Cut and Thrust, Frankie & Johnny in the Claire De Lune, for the STC: Navigating (Dir: Marin Potts) The Breath of Life, Woman in Mind, for the MTC: Grace, (Dir: Marion Potts), Madagascar, (Dir: Sam Strong) and The Heretic, (Dir: Matt Scholten). In 2014 she appeared in a critically acclaimed production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Dir: Declan Eames) for the Kin Collective at 45 Downstairs. In 2015 and 2016 Noni performed in a one-woman play, Mother, (Dir: Matt Scholten), written for her by Daniel Keene, on a national tour produced by If Theatre & Regional Arts Victoria. Mother received two Helpmann Awards nominations for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Play and Best Regional Touring Production for If Theatre. Mother was performed at Belvoir Street Theatre in early 2018 and was presented at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in August 2018. Hazlehurst won the 2018 Matilda Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for Mother.

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1973 Emergency Line Regular role TV series
1974 Bellbird Guest role TV series, 1 episode
1974 Division 4 Helen Jenkins / Jan Kennedy / Sarah Carr / Tania Clarke TV series
4 episodes: What Will my Friends Say? (Season 7, episode 12)
1956 and All That (Season 7, episode 27)
Just for Kicks (Season 7, episode 29)
1975 The Last of the Australians Joanna TV series
Season 1 episode 6: The Hypocondriac
1975 The Box Sharon Lewis TV series
Homicide Linda Williams TV series
Season 12, episode 23: Long Weekend
Matlock Police Karen Simpson TV series
Season 5, episode 187: Forget Me Not, Episode 194: A Dangerous Sort of Man
The Ernie Sigley Show Herself TV series, 2 episodes
1976-77; 1981 The Sullivans Lil/Lill Duggan TV series, 132 episodes
1978; 1979 The Mike Walsh Show Guest - Herself TV series, 1 episode
1978 Case for the Defence Julia TV series
Season 1 episode 5: "Without Consent"
1978-2002 Play School Presenter TV series, 186 episodes
1979 Ride on Stranger Beryl TV miniseries, 4 episodes
Jokes Various characters TV series
The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
Patrol Boat TV series, 1 episode
TV Follies Silver Le Bow TV series
Episode: Chicago
1980 The 22nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special
The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
Think Tank Herself TV series
1981 And Here Comes Bucknuckle Lil TV series, 6 episodes
A Sporting Chance TV series
Episode: One More Chance
The Sullivans Lil Duggan TV series, 140 episodes
1982 A Creative Partnership – The Actor and the Director Herself Film documentary
The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
Parkinson in Australia Herself TV series, 1 episode
The 1982 Australian Film Institute Awards Presenter with Bill Kerr ABC TV Special
1983 For Love or Money Narrator Film documentary
The Power of Stations Narrator Film documentary
1984 The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
Waterfront Maggie TV miniseries, 3 episodes
1985 Anyone Can Be a Genius Narrator Film documentary
Image Makers Narrator Film documentary
A Country Practice unknown role TV series, 2 episodes
1995; 1996 Carols in the Domain Presenter TV special
1987 The Shiralee Lily TV miniseries, 2 episodes
Nancy Wake Nancy Wake TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1988 Rafferty's Rules TV series, 1 episode
Life Education Television Appeal Herself TV special
1989 The Bert Newton Show Herself TV series, 1 episode
Naked Under Capricorn Monica TV miniseries, 2 episodes
Fields Of Fire III Dawn TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1990 Working Actor Series Herself Film documentary
1990 In Melbourne Today Guest - Herself TV series, 1 episode
1991 Land of the Apocalypse Herself TV documentary
Paper Trail – Life and Times of a Woodchip Narrator TV documentary
Play School's 25th Anniversary Herself TV special
1991; 1994 The Midday Show Herself TV series, 1 episode
1991 Tonight Live with Steve Vizard Herself TV series, 1 episode
1992 Clowning Around Sarah Gunner TV miniseries, 2 episodes
Asthma in Under 5's Herself TV documentary
Baby Crazy (aka Look Who's Talking) Narrator Film documentary
The Morning Show Herself TV series, 1 episode
The World Tonight Herself TV series, 1 episode
What's Cooking? Herself TV series, 1 episode
In Sydney Today Herself TV series, 1 episode
My Special Place Narrator TV special
A Tribute to Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Narrator TV special
The People's Choice Awards Host TV special
1993 How to Raise Happy Kids Herself Film documentary
Ernie and Denise Herself TV series, 1 episode
The Great Outdoors Herself TV series, 1 episode
1994 A Current Affair Herself TV series, 1 episode
Under the Skin TV series, 1 episode: Grandma's Teeth
Canberra – A Capital Idea Narrator TV documentary
The Cause of Mary MacKillop Narrator Video
When The Honeymoon Is Over Narrator Film documentary
Midday with Derryn Hinch Herself TV series, 1 episode
1994; 1995 TVTV Herself TV series, 2 episodes
1995 Lizzie's Library Narrator TV series
1995-2004 Better Homes and Gardens Host TV series
1995 1995 TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special
Midday Herself TV series, 1 episode
Good Morning Australia Herself TV series, 1 episode
Home Improvement Behind Closed Doors Herself TV special (US)
Superbowl Fever Herself TV special US
Monday to Friday Herself TV series, 1 episode
Sydney Weekender Summer Special Presenter TV special
1996 Gateway to the Future Narrator TV documentary
Midday With Kerri-Anne Guest TV series, 1 episode
Great Aussie Bloopers Herself TV series, 1 episode
Twisted Tales Anne Martin TV series, season 1, episode 6: Dancing Partners
Stars and their Mum Herself TV special
Play School 30th Birthday Herself TV special
The Edge of Instinct Herself TV documentary
1996; 1997 Carols in the Domain Host TV special
1997 Better Homes and Gardens: Great Australian Homes Host TV special
Ripsnorters Herself TV series, 1 episode
1998 Eleven A.M. Herself TV series, 1 episode
Budget Makeovers Presenter TV special
Today Herself TV series, 1 episode
2005 The Movie Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
2005 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series, 1 episode
2006 Today Tonight Herself with Play School cast: John Hamblin, John Waters, Lorraine Bayly TV series, 1 episode
2006 Mornings with Kerri-Anne Guest TV series, 1 episode
2007-2011 City Homicide Bernice Waverley TV series, 84 episodes
2008 Doing Dungog Herself TV special
2009 The Librarians Jan the midwife TV series, 1 episode
2010 Ten News Herself TV series, 1 episode
Q&A Panel TV series, 1 episode
The Project Herself TV series, 1 episode
Things My Mother Taught Me Herself TV series
2011 Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation Herself TV series, 1 episode
2012 Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight Herself TV series, 1 episode
Pictures of You Herself TV series, 1 episode
Kane & Disabled Herself TV series, 1 episode
2013 Redfern Now Margaret TV series, 1 episode
2013-2018 A Place to Call Home Elizabeth Bligh / Elizabeth Goddard TV series, 67 episodes
2015 Australia: The Story of Us Herself - Actor TV series, 1 episode
2015; 2022 Studio 10 Guest TV series, 1 episode
2015 The Daily Edition Guest TV series, 1 episode
2016 2016 TV Week Logie Awards Herself – Logies Hall of Fame TV special
Screen Herself TV series, 1 episode
Big Ted's Excellent Adventure: 50 Years of Play School Herself TV special
Balance Herself TV series, 1 episode
The Feed Herself TV series, 1 episode
2019 Balance Herself Webseries, 1 episode
2017-19 The Letdown Anbrose TV series, 9 episodes
2017 7th Annual AACTA Awards Herself TV special
2018; 2021 News Breakfast Herself TV series, 1 episode
2018 Who Do You Think You Are? Herself TV series, 1 episode
One Plus One Herself TV series, 1 episode
2019-2023 Every Family Has a Secret Presenter TV series, 10 episodes
2020 The End Pamela Hardy TV series, 10 episodes
Winding Road Rachael Podcast series
2021; 2024 News Breakfast Herself TV series, 1 episode
2021; 2022 Sunrise Herself TV series, 1 episode
2021 Jabba's Movies Herself TV series, 1 episode
Today Extra Herself TV series, 1 episode
What Does Australia Really Think About? Presenter TV series, 1 episode
Fires Caris Mazzeo TV miniseries, 1 episode
2022 Sunrise Herself TV series, 1 episode
Studio 10 Herself TV series, 1 episode
Upright Squirrel TV series, 1 episode
Today Extra Guest TV series, 1 episode
2024 The Sunday Project Herself TV series, 1 episode
2024 News Breakfast Herself TV series, 1 episode
2024 The Project Herself TV series, 1 episode
2024 Today Extra Herself TV series, 1 episode

Television film

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Judging Ring
1978 Bit Part Zelda Teleplay
1983 The Weekly's War Dorothy Drain TV film
1986 The Fish Are Safe Director TV film
2000 Waiting at the Royal Eloise TV film
Australian Film Institute Awards
2000: Won – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Telefeature or Mini-Series
2006 Stepfather of the Bride Sophie TV film
2007 Curtin Elsie Curtin TV film
2012 The 100+ Club Narrator TV film
2013 The Broken Shore Sybil Cashin TV film

Short films

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 Parent Teacher Interviews Miss Stevens 29 minutes
1977 Ruby
1980 The Search For Harry Allway
The Wedding
1983 Stations
1990 Breaking Through Therapist 52 minutes
1994 Aesop's Fables
1995 Grimm's Fairy Tales Narrator
2008 Seven Seven Seven Jess 32 minutes
2009 A Parachute Falling in Siberia Katherine 14 minutes
2010 Tegan the Vegan Mrs. Poodle / Mother (voice) 13 minutes
2018 Della Mortika Mrs. Crotchett Smythe 17 minutes

Feature films

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 The Getting of Wisdom Feature film
1980 Fatty Finn Myrtle Finn Feature film
Australian Film Institute Awards
***1981: Nominated – Best Actress in a Lead Role Feature film
1982 Monkey Grip Nora Feature film
1985 Fran Fran Feature film
Australian Film Institute Awards
***1982: Won – Best Actress in a Lead Role Feature film
1987 Australian Dream Dorothy Stubbs Feature film
1991 Waiting Claire Feature film
2005 Little Fish Janelle Heart Feature film
Won: AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2005
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
***2005 Best Actress in a Supporting Role
2006 Candy Elaine Wyatt Feature film
Nominated: AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2006
2008 Bitter & Twisted Penelope Lombard Feature film
Nominated: AFI Award for Best Actress in 2008
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
***2009 Best Actress
2014 The Mule Judy Jenkins Feature film
2015 Truth Nicki Burkett Feature film
2018 Ladies in Black Miss Cartwright Feature film
2020 June Again June Feature film
Wedding of the Year Barb Feature film
2021 Long Story Short The Stranger Feature film
2024 Sting Helga Feature film

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result
1980 Logie Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Series Ride on Stranger Won
1981 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Fatty Finn Nominated
1982 Monkey Grip Won
1985 Fran Won
Logie Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Single Series Waterfront Nominated
1989 ARIA Awards Best Children's Album Shout and Whisper Nominated
Logie Awards Most Popular Actress in a Miniseries/Telemovie The Shiralee Nominated
1990 ARIA Awards Best Children's Album Peter and the Wolf/Carnival of the Animals Nominated
1992 Noni Sings Day and Night Songs and Rhymes from Play School Nominated
2000 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Telefeature or Mini-Series Waiting at the Royal Won
2005 AACTA Awards Best Supporting Actress Little Fish Won
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Won
2006 AACTA Awards Best Supporting Actress Candy Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated
2008 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actress Bitter & Twisted Nominated
2009 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actress Won
2014 Equity Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast: Drama Series Redfern Now Won
2015 Australian Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Mule Nominated
Helpmann Awards Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Play Mother Nominated
2018 AACTA Awards Best Supporting Actress Ladies in Black Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Won
The Matilda Awards Best Female Actor in a Leading Role Mother Won

Other awards

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Year Association Achievement
1991 Variety Club of Australia 'Top Hat' Achievement Award
1995 National Honours Member of the Order of Australia for her services to children and the performing arts[7]
2016 Logie Awards Logie Hall of Fame

Hazlehurst has also been an ambassador for Barnardo's Mother of the Year, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by her alma mater Flinders University in 2007.[8]

Cultural references

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In 1994 a painting of Hazlehurst by artist Rosemary Valadon titled Noni Hazlehurst – Summer '94 Waiting Again was a finalist in the Archibald Prize.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Hazlehurst married director Kevin Dobson,[9] and she subsequently married John Jarratt in circa 1987. She and Jarratt have two sons. After separating from Jarratt in August 1999,[10][4] she dated cameraman Ian Marden.[11]

Her son, William, is the former vocalist for Melbourne death pop band Storm The Sky.[12]

October 2, 2024 Noni releases her autobiography "Dropping The Mask" and to coincide with the book release will also tour the country with personal appearances and book signings to promote her autobiography through the month of October.

References

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  1. ^ "Yahoo Australia | News, email and search".
  2. ^ Connolly, Paul (4 October 2015). "What I know about men". Daily Life. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  3. ^ Trzcinski, Joanne (31 January 2009). "Noni Hazlehurst, performer". The Sunday Times. p. 39.
  4. ^ a b Hogan, Christine (26 March 2000). "Time of her life". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 4.
  5. ^ Hutchinson, Jane (27 September 2009). "Noni Hazlehurst". Sunday Herald Sun Magazine. p. 13.
  6. ^ "Noni Hazlehurst reads expletive-ridden 'children's' book". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Leonie (Noni) Elva HAZLEHURST". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ^ VIP mum Noni Hazlehurst
  9. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on May 21, 1978 · Page 83". 21 May 1978.
  10. ^ Lee Lewes, Jacqueline (21 October 1999). "Bana gets into the act". The Daily Telegraph.
  11. ^ "Some things you might not know about our Noni". The Courier Mail. 30 June 2018. p. 10.
  12. ^ Adelaide Now [dead link]
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