Maxine Klibingaitis Explained

Maxine Klibingaitis
Birth Name:Maxine Koran Klibingaitis
Birth Date:17 May 1964
Birth Place:Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Death Place:Melbourne, Australia
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1982–2023
Notable Works:
Children:1

Maxine Koran Klibingaitis[1] (17 May 1964 – 17 April 2023) was an Australian actress, notable for her roles in TV soap operas and serials.

Personal life

Klibingaitis was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on 17 May 1964.[2] In 1987, Klibingaitis married Australian director Andrew Friedman.[3] They have one son, Zane Friedman.

Career

Klibingaitis is most notable for her role in the cult drama soap opera, Prisoner (known internationally as Prisoner: Cell Block H), from 1983 to 1985, as rebellious teen punk, Bobbie Mitchell. During her stint on the series, Klibingaitis' character was involved in several dramatic story arcs, including shoplifting, escaping custody, kidnapping, prostitution, miscarriage and a suicide attempt, before being eventually paroled and becoming engaged to be married. She returned in a guest appearance for a wedding storyline. Klibingaitis attended a 40th anniversary reunion event for Prisoner in February 2019[4] and a special event hosted by Ken Mulholland and Matt Batten of the website Talking Prisoner, in August 2022.[5]

She was cast in the regular role of Terry Inglis on Melbourne-based soap opera, Neighbours during 1985, in which the character, an apprentice plumber, married Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis),[6] before committing murder, then attempting to kill Paul by shooting him,[7] leading to her incarceration and demise by committing suicide. Terry's death, which happened off-screen, attracted controversy, as the subject of suicide was not a common topic covered in an early evening program, and was the only character on the show to die in this way.

Klibingaitis' only other leading role in a television series, was that of Sophie Verstak in the short-lived comedy, Hampton Court in 1991,[8] a spin-off from the popular sitcom, Hey Dad..!. Her additional TV credits include, Special Squad, Fields of Fire, The Flying Doctor, Home and Away, Blue Heelers and Round the Twist.

She made her film debut in 1989, appearing in James Ricketson's Candy Regentag, before going onto roles as a regular in Timothy Spanos films and short form series including Prisoner Queen: Mindless Music & Mirrorballs, Mondo Maniacs, which earned her a MUFF Award for Best Supporting Female Actor at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival,[9] Boronia Boys[10] and the spin off, Boronia Backpackers.[11]

In May 2022, Klibingaitis appeared in an episode of the podcast Yarn About You.[12]

Death

Klibingaitis died suddenly and unexpectedly in Melbourne, Australia on 17 April 2023 at the age of 58. No cause was specified.[13] [14]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRole Notes
1983HomeSharonSeason 1, episodes 29-32
1983–1985PrisonerBobbie MitchellSeasons 5–7, 108 episodes
1984Special SquadChicoSeason 1, episode 37
1985NeighboursTerry Inglis (Robinson)Season 1, 69 episodes
1987Fields of FireJoanMiniseries, 2 episodes
1988The Flying DoctorsKylieSeason 4, episode 1
1988 Home and AwayDeniseSeason 1, episode 181
1990Family and FriendsGloria Stubbs
1991Hampton CourtSophie VerstakSeason 1, 13 episodes
1991Col'n CarpenterGold DiggerSeason 4, episode 7
1992All Together NowVeronicaSeason 3, episode 9
1995Blue HeelersJudySeason 2, episode 8
2001Round the TwistTiffanySeason 4, episode 7
2002Marshall LawValSeason 1, episode 10
2003MDALinda KleinSeason 2, episode 13
2022Boronia BackpackersCaz McKenzieSeason 1, 4 episodes
2023Five BedroomsBeverlySeason 4, episode 1
2023Celebrity House CleanerWandaSeason 1, 2 episodes
2023Mondo ManiacsMondoSeason 1, 3 episodes

Film

YearTitleRole Notes
1989Candy RegentagBibiFeature film
2003Prisoner Queen: Mindless Music & MirrorballsCeciliaFeature Film
2007Miss MouskouriPauline WilsonShort film
2009Boronia BoysCazFeature Film

Notes and References

  1. Book: Veitch, Alan . The Illustrated encyclopaedia of Australian Showbiz . 1984 . Sunshine Books . 0-867-77057-0.
  2. Web site: Neighbours star Maxine Klibingaitis dies 'unexpectedly' aged 58 . Yahoo News . 20 April 2023.
  3. News: McLeod . Pauline . Marry me, Neighbour . . 18 April 2023 . 12 . 6 June 1987 . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  4. Web site: Cast of Prisoner reunite for 40th anniversary at Melbourne event . . 21 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Talking Prisoner Event 2022 . talkingprisoner.com . 21 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Mitchell . Harriet . Neighbours' Stefan Dennis pays tribute as former co-star Maxine Klibingaitis dies . . 19 April 2023 . 21 April 2023.
  7. Web site: Terri Inglis-Robinson . . 21 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20031012170343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/neighbours/whoswho/characterbiogs/index.shtml?content%2F_terriinglis%2Fpage1 . 12 October 2003 . dead.
  8. Web site: HAMPTON COURT . . 21 April 2021.
  9. Web site: Everleth . Mike . 2007 Melbourne Underground Film Festival: Award Winners . undergroundfilmjournal.com . 1 October 2001 . 21 April 2023.
  10. Web site: BORONIA BOYS . . 21 April 2021.
  11. Web site: Top 10 Films . Wilson . Jake . 27 August 2011 . . 26 March 2015 . 29 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110829002337/http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/top-10-films-20110826-1jdr6.html . live.
  12. Web site: Development . PodBean . Yarn About You 004 - Maxine Klibingaitis Yarn About You Podcast . 5 January 2024 . yarnaboutyou.podbean.com . en.
  13. Web site: Australian actress Maxine Klibingaitis dies 'suddenly and unexpectedly' . . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418093601/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/australian-actress-maxine-klibingaitis-dies-suddenly-and-unexpectedly/news-story/03b254afa866b7507ac982f8411f3034 . live.
  14. Web site: Knox . David . Vale: Maxine Klibingaitis . . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418010447/https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/04/vale-maxine-klibingaitis.html . live.