Paula Duncan

Australian actress

Paula Duncan

Born|

Paula Margaret Duncan

(1952-09-15) 15 September 1952 (age 71)

Cooma, New South Wales, Australia

Occupation| Actress
Years active| 1971 – present
Known for|

* Number 96
* The Young Doctors
* Cop Shop
* Prisoner
* Richmond Hill
* Home and Away

Spouse|

John Orcsik

(m. 1982; div. 1998)​

Family| Carmen Duncan (sister)

Paula Margaret Duncan AM (born 15 September 1952) is an Australian actress.[1]

Her numerous television roles include playing in Number 96 as Carol Finlayson (1974-1975), The Young Doctors (1976–77), as Nurse Lisa Brooks, Cop Shop as Detective Danni Francis (1977–83), for which she twice won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress, Prisoner as Lorelei Wilkinson (1986), Richmond Hill as Janet Bryant (1988), Home and Away as Bridget Jackson (1990) and Neighbours (2011). Other notable roles include Paradise Beach and Breakers.

Duncan's older sister was stage and screen actress and activist Carmen Duncan.

## Career

[edit]

Duncan was born in Cooma, New South Wales, Duncan has played several leading roles in various TV series. Early roles were Carol Finlayson in Number 96 (her sister Carmen Duncan had previously acted in this serial), followed by Lisa Brooks in The Young Doctors. She left The Young Doctors to take the role of Danni Francis in Cop Shop, and stayed in the role for the series' entire 1977–1984 run. After Cop Shop ended she played Lorelei Wilkinson in Prisoner in 1986, then was Janet Bryant in Richmond Hill (1988) for its entire run, Bridget Jackson in Home and Away,[2] and Joan Hayden in Paradise Beach.[3]

In 2011 Duncan joined the cast of Neighbours as Carolyn Johnstone, a love interest for Harold Bishop (Ian Smith).[4] Duncan previously appeared in the show as Amy Medway in 1985.[4]

### Advertising

[edit]

Duncan is well known to Australian audiences through her work on television commercials, especially humorous commercials for the Ajax household cleaner Spray N' Wipe, from 1988 to 2010.[5][6]

She has also made guest appearances on the NRL Footy Show on Network Nine.

## Personal life

[edit]

Duncan married actor John Orcsik in June 1982 after they met acting together in Cop Shop. They opened acting school, The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA)[7] together on the Gold Coast in 1994. They divorced in 1998. They have since worked together in the show Paradise Beach and elsewhere.

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1974  | Casualty Ward | unknown role  | TV film
1975  | Polly Me Love | unknown role  | TV film
1978  | Cass |  | TV film
1985  | Jenny Kissed Me | Gaynor  | Feature film
1987  | Future Past | Miss Bernsteen  | TV film
1996  | Academy | Jennifer Haywood  | TV film
2004  | Cocktail Hour | Sandra  | Film short
2004  | Strange Bedfellows | Yvonne Philpot  | Feature film
2009  | Braille | Madam  | Feature film
2011  | Surprise Surprise | Muriel  | Film short
2015  | Natural Injustice | Doreen Smith  | Feature film
2017  | Torn | Tess Smith  | Film short
2020  | Unsound | Angela  | Feature film

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1955  | Lux Video Theatre | Kitty  | TV series US, 1 episode "So Evil My Love"
1973  | The Pirates of Penzance | Unknown role  | Teleplay
1973  | The Barry Crocker Comedy Hour | Herself  | TV special
1974-1978  | You Say The Word | Herself  | TV series
1974  | This Love Affair | Joan  | TV series, 1 episode 8: 'One Of My Silly Dreams'
1974  | Certain Women | unknown role  | TV series, 2 episodes
1974-75 / 1977  | Number 96 | Carol Finlayson  | "1.669", "1.689", "1.700"
1975  | Ain't Got a Barrel of Money | unknown role  | TV pilot
1975  | Celebrity Squares | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1977  | The Young Doctors | Lisa Brooks  | TV series, 121 episodes
1977  | Number 96: The Final Episode | Herself  | TV special
1977-1984  | Cop Shop | Det. Danni Francis  | TV series, 582 episodes
1980  | The 22nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself  | TV special
1982  | The 24th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself  | TV special
1984  | 1984 TV Week Logie Awards | Guest (with John Orcsik arriving at event)  | TV special
1984; 1984  | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest (with sister Carmen Duncan)  | TV series, 1 episode
1984  | Matthew and Son | Barbara Dean  | TV pilot
1984  | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest (with John & Simon Orcsik)  | TV series, 1 episode
1985  | Neighbours | Amy Medway  | TV series, 4 episodes
1986  | Punchlines | Herself  | TV special
1986  | Prisoner | Lorelei Wilkinson  | TV series, 54 episodes Regular role; Season 8
1986  | An Australian Audience with Dame Edna Everage | Herself  | TV special
1986  | Studio 86 | Glenda  | TV series, 1 episode "An Electric Day"
1987  | Have a Go | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1987-1998  | The Midday Show | Herself  | TV series
1988  | Richmond Hill | Janet Bryant  | TV series
1988  | Henry Lawson's Australia | Presenter  | Video
1988  | Rugby League Grand Final | Herself  | TV special
1988  | Life Education Television Appeal | Herself  | TV special
1989  | TV Weddings | Herself  | TV special
1989  | The Bert Newton Show | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1989  | In Melbourne Today | Guest - Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1989; 1989  | Celebrity Family Feud | Contestant (with family John, Simon & Jessica Orcsik)  | TV series, 1 episode
1989  | Celebrity Family Feud | Guest (with Chantal Contouri, Jo Mitchell & Jodie Gillies)  | TV series, 1 episode "Leading Ladies"
1990  | Home and Away | Bridget Jackson | TV series, 8 episodes Recurring role; Season 3
1990  | Skirts | Guest role: Janine Davies  | TV series, 1 episode 3: "Wolf Whistles"
1990; 1991  | Tonight Live With Steve Vizard | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1990  | TV Celebrity Dance Party | Herself  | TV special
1991; 1992  | In Sydney Today | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1991; 1997  | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune | Contestant  | TV series, 2 episodes
1991  | The Main Event | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1992  | Mother And Son | Real Estate agent  | TV series, 1 episode "The Clock"
1992  | The Morning Show | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1992  | Ten News | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1992  | Seven Nightly News | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1992  | National Nine News | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1992  | ABC News | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1993-2005  | Good Morning Australia | Herself  | TV series
1993; 1994  | Live It Up | Herself  | TV series, 3 episodes
1993  | The Great Outdoors | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1993-1994  | Paradise Beach | Joan Hayden  | "2.139"
1993; 1995  | Ernie and Denise | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1994  | Love Rules | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1994  | What’s Cooking? | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1994  | At Home | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1994  | Today | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1994  | Midday with Derryn Hinch | Guest with John Orcsik  | TV series, 1 episode
1994  | Dr Feelgood | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1995  | The Times | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1995; 1996; 2001; 2008  | This Is Your Life: Paula Duncan/Carmen Duncan/Judy Nunn/Bert Newton | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1996; 1997  | Monday to Friday | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
1996  | The Crawford Story | Herself  | TV special
1996-2000  | An Australian Christmas At Darling Harbour | Herself  | TV special
1997  | Australian Good Taste | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1997  | Where Are They Now? | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1997-2000  | Beauty and the Beast | Herself  | TV series
1997  | Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune | Contestant  | TV series, 1 episode
1997  | The Footy Show | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1997  | Sex And Beyond: 25 Years of Cleo | Herself  | TV special
1998  | FCTV | Herself  | TV series, 6 episodes
1999  | Breakers | Karen Fairbarn  | TV series
1999  | Denise | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1999  | Good Medicine | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1999  | Laws | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
1999  | Fox Studios Australia: The Grand Opening | Herself  | TV special
2000  | The Morning Show | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2000  | Pizza | Lorelei Wilkinson  | TV series, 1 episode "Gambling Pizza"
2002  | The Best of Aussie Cop Shows | Herself  | TV special
2002  | New Idea: 100 Fabulous Years | Herself  | TV special
2002  | Always Greener | Make-up artist  | TV series, 1 episode
2003  | This Is Your Life :10 Year Celebration Special | Herself  | TV special
2003; 2006; 2007  | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Herself  | TV series, 3 episodes
2006  | 50 Years 50 Stars | Herself  | TV special
2006  | TV Turns 50 - The Events That Stopped A Nation | Herself  | TV special
2006  | What a Year | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2006; 2010  | A Current Affair | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
2007  | Where Are They Now | Guest - Herself with 'Cop Shop' cast: John Orscik, Lynda Stoner, Joanna Lockwood, Terence Donovan & Gil Tucker  | TV series, 1 episode
2007; 2011  | Today Tonight | Herself - Guest with 'Cop Shop' cast: Gil Tucker, John Orcsik, Terence Donovan & Greg Ross  | TV series, 2 episodes
2008  | Confidential at the Logies | Herself  | TV special
2008  | Susie | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2008  | East of Everything | Pauline  | TV series, 3 episodes: "No Way to Nirvana", "Save Me Some Scones", "Aesthetic My Arse"
2008  | This Is Your Life: Bert Newton | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2009  | Ten News | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2010  | A Current Affair | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2011  | Today Tonight | Herself & John Orscik  | TV series, 1 episode
2011  | The Morning Show | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2011  | Neighbours | Carolyn Johnstone | TV series, 7 episodes Recurring role; Season 27
2012  | The Circle | Herself  | TV series, 3 episodes
2015; 2016  | Studio 10 | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2015  | Hiding | Jenny Krilich  | TV series, 3 episodes "1.1", "1.3", "1.8"
2015-2019  | The Daily Edition | Herself  | TV series, 6 episodes
2016  | Australian Disability Film Festival | Herself  | TV special
2016; 2016  | The Morning Show | Guest (with John Orcsik)  | TV series, 1 episode
2016; 2019  | Studio 10 | Guest (with Maggie Kirkpatrick, Lynda Stoner & Toni Pearen)  | TV series, 1 episode
2016  | The Morning Show | Guest  | TV series, 1 episode
2018-2019  | The Morning Show | Herself - Infomercial  | TV series
2019  | Studio 10 | Herself  | TV series, 2 episodes
2019  | Chris Smith Tonight | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2020  | First Dates Australia | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2021-2024  | The Morning Show | Herself - Sleeper Pro Pillow Infomercial  | TV series
2022  | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2022  | Weekend Sunrise | Guest (with John Orcsik)  | TV series, 1 episode
2022  | Seven News Melbourne | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2022  | This Is Your Life: Ray Meagher | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode
2023  | Today Extra | Herself  | TV series, 1 episode

## Stage

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Type

|
|
|

1972  | Dick Whittington and His Cat |  |
1983  | Salad Days |  |
1985  | Half In Earnest |  |
1987  | Hansel And Gretel's Aussie Adventure |  |
1987  | Blithe Spirit |  |
1989  | Bedroom Farce |  |
1990  | The Lady's Not For Burning |  |
1995  | Brazilian Blue |  |
1998  | Social Climbers |  |
2002  | The Vagina Monologues |  |
2007  | Flying Solo |  |
2008  | Theatresports |  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ AusStage. "Paula Duncan".?
2. ^ Williams, Glen (14 April 1990). "Paul becomes a 'monster' mum". TV Week. p. 91.
3. ^ Paula Duncan at IMDb
4. ^ a b "Harold Bishop to find love on Ramsay Street". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
5. ^ "The Spray N' Wipe commercial". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014.
6. ^ "Ajax jingle to return with Paula Duncan reprising character of frantic housewife". Mumbrella. 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
7. ^ "The Australian Film & Television Academy". tafta.com.au. Retrieved 5 July 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Paula Duncan at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Logie Award for Most Popular Actress

* Lorraine Bayly (1978)
* Lorraine Bayly (1979)
* Paula Duncan (1980)
* Paula Duncan (1981)
* Val Lehman (1982)
* Rowena Wallace (1983)
* Rowena Wallace (1984)
* Anne Tenney (1985)
* Anne Tenney (1986)
* Kylie Minogue (1987)
* Kylie Minogue (1988)
* Annie Jones (1989)
* Rachel Friend (1990)
* Georgie Parker (1991)
* Georgie Parker (1992)
* Georgie Parker (1993)
* Sonia Todd (1994)
* Lisa McCune (1995)
* Lisa McCune (1996)
* Lisa McCune (1997)
* Lisa McCune (1998)
* Lisa McCune (1999)
* Lisa McCune (2000)
* Georgie Parker (2001)
* Libby Tanner (2002)
* Libby Tanner (2003)
* Lisa Chappell (2004)
* Bec Cartwright (2005)
* Kate Ritchie (2006)
* Kate Ritchie (2007)
* Kate Ritchie (2008)
* Rebecca Gibney (2009)
* Rebecca Gibney (2010)
* Asher Keddie (2011)
* Asher Keddie (2012)
* Asher Keddie (2013)
* Asher Keddie (2014)
* Asher Keddie (2015)
* Jessica Marais (2016)
* Jessica Marais (2017)
* Jessica Marais (2018)
* Deborah Mailman (2019)
* Kitty Flanagan (2022)
* Kitty Flanagan (2023)

*[m.]: married
*[div.]: divorced
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*[e]: Edit this template