Best known for her roles as Mrs Jessup in The Sullivans and Mrs Mangel in Neighbours, actor Vivean Gray has died, aged 92.
Born in England in 1924, Gray came to Australia in 1952 to look for acting work. She appeared in Matlock Police, Homicide and Division 4 but it was for her soap opera roles that she achieved longevity and acclaim.
Rick Maier, head of drama, Network Ten, paid tribute to the actor on Friday. "Mrs Mangel and Mrs Jessup were two of our most iconic characters from one our very best character actors," he said. "Ramsay Street changed forever, and certainly no secret was ever safe, with Mrs Mangel on the lookout. Vivean's contribution to Australian drama will never be forgotten. It is a very sad day for the Neighbours' family."
Fairfax Media's entertainment writer Michael Lallo described Mrs Mangel as "perhaps Erinsborough's greatest villain... meddlesome and pious" saying her character made life hell for the entire neighbourhood.
Gray was reportedly dogged by Neighbours fans who abused her and eventually left the program as a result, in 1988.
She also played a teacher in Peter Weir's 1975 film adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock and was subsequently featured on an Australia Post stamp.
