Chantal Contouri
Chantal Contouri | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 April 1950 |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1963–present |
Chantal Contouri (Greek: Σαντάλ Κοντούρη; born 8 April 1950), sometimes credited as Chantal Cantouri, is a Greek Australian television and film actress. She has acted in many films and TV series as well as on stage, with one of her best known roles being in the 1970s soap opera Number 96 as nurse Tracy Wilson (aka "the pantyhose strangler").
Early life and education
[edit]Chantal Contouri was born on 8 April 1950 in the village of Agios Georgios, Vion, in Greece, the first of five children to Fotini and Konstantinos.[1] The family emigrated to Australia aboard the Italian ship Castel Felice in 1954, and settled in Adelaide, South Australia.[1]
Contouri attended Adelaide High School.[1]
Career
[edit]Contouri started her career as a go-go dancer at a nightclub in Gawler Place in Adelaide city centre; however, she wanted to act.[1]
She left Adelaide after being verbally abused by a Greek woman on the street, and moved to Melbourne at the age of 16, where she appeared as a dancer on the pop music show Kommotion.[1] After that, she moved to London, and became good friends with Olivia Newton-John.[1]
Contouri had leading roles in Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) and the sex comedy film Alvin Purple Rides Again (1974), and later had a guest role in the Alvin Purple television series produced in 1976. She also had starring roles in horror-suspense films Thirst (1979) and Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) (1979).[1] She also appeared as ‘Rosa’ in the Australian movie ‘Is There Anybody There’ in late 1975.
She featured in The Sullivans (1976-1983) as Melina Tsangarakis,[1] who married Norm Baker before her death by firing squad. Contouri appeared in US daytime soap opera General Hospital in 1988 and played a guest role in the Australian soap E Street in 1993.[2] She featured in Timothy Spanos' series Celebrity House Cleaner playing an alcoholic acting agent and her most recent role was in a remake of Stormboy in 2019.[citation needed]
Contouri remains best known however as Nurse Tracey Wilson in the TV series Number 96 (1974-75).[3] Contouri recorded an audio commentary for a 2008 DVD boxed set release of 32 Number 96 episodes, entitled The Pantyhose Strangler.[citation needed]
She continued working in Sydney, before moving to Los Angeles attending Olivia Newton-John's marriage to Matt Lattanzi, and there found work on the daytime soap opera General Hospital.[1]
After moving into semi-retirement in Adelaide in 1998, she took acting roles in Hotel Mumbai (directed by Adelaide-born Greek Australian Anthony Maras) and Storm Boy, the 2019 remake with Geoffrey Rush. She also starred in the short film Unfinished Thoughts.[1]
Recognition and awards
[edit]1n 1979 Contouri won a Logie Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Melina Tsangarakis in The Sullivans,[1] becoming the first Greek Australian actress to win a Logie.[citation needed]
In 2011 she won Best Actress in the South Australian Screen Awards for her performance in the short film Unfinished Thoughts (which was nominated for eight SASAs).[4][1]
Personal life
[edit]Contouri had an early marriage arranged by her parents, which broke down and she fled to her favourite uncle's house.[1]
She spent some years in Greece in her 40s, and after a few more acting roles, semi-retired from acting in Adelaide in 1998. With her parents in failing health, she took over running their restaurant in Hindley Street, Barbecue Inn.[1] In 2007 Contouri discussed her time Number 96 in an episode of Where Are They Now?, and talked about running the family's restaurant in Adelaide.[5] The restaurant closed in 2014.[1]
In 2016 Contouri was living in Torrensville, South Australia.[6]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | All You Have to Do is Dig | Herself - Jewellery model | Film short |
| 1974 | Alvin Rides Again | Boobs la Touche | Feature film |
| 1974 | Barry McKenzie Holds His Own | Zizi | Feature film |
| 1977 | High Rolling | Bus Hostess | Feature film |
| 1979 | Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) | Madeline | Feature film |
| 1979 | Thirst | Kate Davis | Feature film |
| 1980 | Touch and Go | Fiona | Feature film |
| 1994 | Metal Skin | Savina's Mother | Feature film |
| 1996 | Offspring | Rosa | Feature film |
| 1998 | Vincent's Regret | Older Rosalba | Film short |
| 2000 | Nameday | Film short | |
| 2001 | And She Said... | Feature film | |
| 2003 | The Wannabes | Sally | Feature film |
| 2009 | Birthday | Scarlet | Film short |
| 2010 | The Otherside | Vinchenzena | Film short |
| 2010 | Lonesdale | Film short | |
| 2011 | Unfinished Thoughts | Lucia | Film short |
| 2013 | The House Cleaner | Zara Kozwalski | Feature film |
| 2016 | Allie | Mother | Film short |
| 2018 | Hotel Mumbai | Mrs Karvelas | Feature film |
| 2019 | Storm Boy | Julie Sims | Feature film |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Champion | Teleplay | |
| 1974 | Certain Women | TV series | |
| 1974-75 | Number 96 | Tracey Wilson | TV series, 37 episodes |
| 1975 | Casino 10 | Game hostess (with Garry Meadows) | TV series |
| 1975 | Shannon's Mob | Tara | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1975 | Silent Number | Marie | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1975 | McManus MPB | Lara Boltolavic | TV movie |
| 1976 | Alvin Purple | Christine | TV series, episode 7: 'The Hustled' |
| 1976 | Is There Anybody There? | Rosa | TV movie |
| 1978; 1979 | Chopper Squad | Diana Baker / Janie Smart | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1978 | The Sullivans | Melina Baker | TV series, 15 episodes |
| 1979 | Doctor Down Under | Dr. Wainwright | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | Skyways | Lorraine Cruickshank | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | The Three Sea-Wolves | Laura Fiore | TV movie |
| 1981 | Holiday Island | Guest role: Stasia | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1982 | The Black Boomerang aka 'Der schwarze Bumerang' | Minou | TV miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1983 | All The Rivers Run | Julia | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 1984 | Medea | Medea | TV movie |
| 1988 | General Hospital | Prunella | TV series, 12 episodes |
| 1988 | Goodbye Miss Fourth of July | Olympia Janus | TV movie |
| 1992 | Neighbours | Alexandra Lomax | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1992 | E Street | Julia Preston | TV series, 9 episodes |
| 2014 | Wastelander Panda | Varrick | TV series, 5 episodes |
| 2021 | Aftertaste | Mama | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2023 | Celebrity House Cleaner | Zara | TV series, 4 episodes |
As self
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Kommotion | Herself - Go-go dancer | TV series |
| 1974 | Behind the Scenes of Barry McKenzie Holds His Own | Herself / Zizi | TV special |
| 1975 | Celebrity Squares | Panelist | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1977 | Telethon: First Hour | Guest - Herself | TV special |
| 1977 | Greek Affair | Herself | TV series |
| 1977 | Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks | Panelist | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1978; 1979; 1983; 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1979 | 21st Annual Logie Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1979 | Sammy Awards 1979 | Compere | TV special |
| 1980 | Parkinson in Australia | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | The Variety Club Race Day | Herself | TV special |
| 1980 | 1980 Australian Film Awards | Presenter | TV special |
| 1980 | Who Are We? | Herself | TV documentary |
| 1981 | Play Bouzouki | Host | TV special |
| 1982; 1983 | The Daryl Somers Show | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1989 | The Home Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | International It's a Knockout | Contestant | TV special |
| 1991 | The Midday Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991; 1992 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1991 | Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Celebrity Family Feud | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | The World Tonight | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | Team Family Feud | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | The Morning Show | Presenter | TV series |
| 1993-1999 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series, 7 episodes |
| 1993 | Insiders | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Chantal Contouri Inside Hollywood | Herself | TV special |
| 1994 | This Is Your Life | Guest | TV series, 1 episode: 'Olivia Newton-John' |
| 1995 | At Home | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Beauty and the Beast | Guest | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2003 | George Negus Tonight | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2007 | Where Are They Now? | Guest (with Number 96 cast – Joe Hasham, Chard Hayward, Elaine Lee, Jeff Kevin, Sheila Kennelly & Frances Hargreaves) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2009 | The Cook and the Chef | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2012 | Myf Warhurst's Nice | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | When the Beatles Drove us Wild | Herself | TV special |
Stage
[edit]Contouri has had many stage roles, including:[7]
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre Co. / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Snap! | Independent Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1983 | The Portage to San Cristobal of A.H. | ||
| 1983 | Medea | Medea | Fairfield Amphitheatre, Sydney |
| 1984 | The Shifting Heart | Phillip Street Theatre, Sydney | |
| 1986 | In the Boom Boom Room | Beverly Hills Playhouse | |
| Lunch Girls | Los Angeles Theatre Center | ||
| Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | Beverly Hills Playhouse | ||
| 1992 | The Bacchae | ||
| 1995 | To Traverse Water | Shed 14, Docklands, Melbourne with IHOS Opera for Melbourne International Arts Festival | |
| 1996, 1999 | Emma Celebrazione! | Concetta Coccolosto | Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne with Playbox Theatre Company & STCSA |
| 1996 | Milk and Honey | Mother | La Boite Theatre, Brisbane |
| 1997 | Life Goes On | ||
| 1999 | Courtyard of Miracles | Asta | Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA |
| 1999 | The Rose Tattoo | Assunta | with STCSA |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Maios, Theodora (27 November 2018). "Chantal Contouri: The first Greek migrant actress in Australia". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "GEORGE NEGUS INTERVIEWS CHANTAL CONTOURI". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 April 2003. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ^ "Number 96". Television.com. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ^ "South Australian Screen Awards – MRC and Mercury Cinema". MRC and Mercury Cinema. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ Andrew Fenton (4 March 2008). "Back as brothel madam". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ^ Kevin Ascott (15 October 2016). "Telethon legend Christiaan Barnard still hearty". The Western Australian. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ^ "Chantal Contouri". AusStage.