Australian actress Rachael Carpani, best known for her roles in NCIS: Los Angeles and McLeod’s Daughters, has died at 45 after a prolonged illness, her family announced Monday. Carpani, whose career spanned international television and film, “unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness,” according to a statement from her sister, Georgia.
“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December,” the family said in a statement released on Monday, 8th December. They added that the funeral “will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends,” noting that they “will be making no further statements.”
Carpani became a household name in Australia through her portrayal of Jodi Fountain on McLeod’s Daughters, a role she played for several seasons beginning in 2001.
The series, which followed a group of women running a remote cattle station, became a cultural touchstone and later expanded its audience internationally through syndicated reruns and streaming availability.
Coverage from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has frequently noted the program’s enduring popularity more than a decade after its finale.
Her acting career extended far beyond her early success. Carpani went on to appear in NCIS: Los Angeles, where she played Amy in a Season 1 episode, and starred in a number of U.S. television movies and crime dramas, including The Rachels, If There Be Thorns, The Glades, and Lifetime’s Against the Wall. She also had a role in the 2020 film The Way Back, starring Ben Affleck, marking one of her later career appearances. IMDb lists an extensive catalog of her work, spanning Australian television, Hollywood productions, and independent films.
Beyond her screen work, Carpani remained active on social media, sharing glimpses of her personal life, creative work, and reflections on the world around her. In September, she marked her 45th birthday with a message that now resonates differently in light of her death. “Despite existing in this waking nightmare of a world losing its humanity,” she wrote, “you all reminded me how much we should treasure what we have. And against the current backdrop, how enormously grateful we should all be, every day.” She added, “Thank you for bringing joy and ridiculousness into my world, even for a day or two. Didn’t realise how much I needed it, or how much I would love all that love.”
Entertainment outlets, including E! Online, highlighted the September birthday post as one of the last public messages Carpani shared before her illness worsened in the lead-up to her passing in early December.
Tributes from fans began circulating shortly after the news broke, many referencing her warmth, generosity, and relatable energy with her characters. Viewers who grew up watching McLeod’s Daughters recalled Carpani’s charm and emotional depth, which helped define the show’s lighter, more comedic beats. Others praised her ability to transition from Australian rural drama to American procedural television—a path taken by numerous Australian actors seeking international opportunities.
Her death is being felt across the entertainment industry in both countries. Australian media outlets have emphasized her role in one of the country’s most successful drama exports, while U.S. outlets have highlighted her cross-cultural appeal and versatility in on-screen storytelling. For many, Carpani embodied the kind of performer whose career bridged continents while maintaining a sense of grounded authenticity.
As her family prepares for a private memorial later this month, they have asked for privacy as they navigate their loss.
While details of her long-term illness remain undisclosed, her public messages in recent years reflected a perspective shaped by gratitude and an awareness of life’s fragility—sentiments now echoed by fans revisiting her final words.
Carpani’s work remains widely accessible through streaming platforms, ensuring her legacy continues to reach new audiences. Her performances in both Australian and American productions stand as a reminder of her range, resilience, and the impact she made across two television markets over more than 20 years.
