Australian actress Rachel Carpani, best known for her long-running role in “McLeod’s Daughters,” has died at the age of 45. Her family confirmed the news in a statement shared on Instagram, revealing that she passed away after a long battle with a chronic illness.
Family confirms death due to chronic illness
Carpani passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 7, according to a statement released by her parents, Tony and Gael, and by her sister Georgia.
“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter and beloved Australian actress Rachel Carpani passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, December 7th, after a long battle with chronic illness,” the statement said.
The family also confirmed that a private funeral will be held on Friday, December 19th, with only close friends and family in attendance. It added: “The family has requested privacy at this extremely difficult time and will not be commenting further.”
The decisive role of McLeod’s daughters
Kalpani became famous for her role as Jodie Fountain on Nine’s Daughters and joined the series in season 1 in 2001. Initially introduced as a shy farmer from Drover’s Run, later revealed to be the daughter of station owner Jack Macleod and half-sister to Claire and Tess, the character became central to the show’s mythology.
She appeared on most of the series for eight seasons, appearing in nearly 180 episodes from 2001 to 2009. The series became one of Australia’s most successful television exports, being shown in over 200 territories around the world, and also gaining a large audience in the United States.
A career beyond Drovers Run
After leaving McLeod’s Daughters, Kalpani relocated to the United States to pursue a new role. She later explained that this move was partly driven by a desire to step out of the shadow of her signature character, telling 7News that she wanted to avoid being known in Australia simply as “Jody from McLeod’s Daughters.”
Her international work includes roles in NCIS: Los Angeles, A&E’s The Glades, and the thriller Triangle with Liam Hemsworth. She also appeared in the 2020 basketball drama The Way Back, starring Ben Affleck.
Closer to home, Kalpani recently had a recurring role on the Australian TV show Home and Away, returning in 2024 to appear in all 12 episodes as businesswoman Claudia Salini.
health struggles and tributes
In 2021, Kalpani publicly revealed that she was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain and required surgery for an undisclosed illness. Her family later admitted that she had been living with a chronic illness for several years.
Following the announcement of her death, tributes began to pour in from fans and colleagues, reflecting her warmth, talent and the strong impression she left on Australian television.
Kalpani is survived by her parents and sister.
