Rachael Carpani, an Australian actress who rose to fame on “McLeod’s Daughters” and later appeared on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” died Dec. 7 at age 45, her family said in a statement released Monday. Relatives described her passing as “unexpected but peaceful” following years of health struggles.
Carpani’s death resonated across Australian television and among U.S. viewers who came to know her through prime-time drama and cable series. The announcement arrived eight days after her death, prompting a wave of tributes from co-stars and producers who credited her with a mix of grit and warmth on set. While the family cited chronic illness, they did not name a cause. A private funeral is planned for Dec. 19, with memorial details to be shared later by the family. Industry colleagues said they are preparing their own remembrances to align with the family’s wishes.
Carpani first gained wide attention as Jodi Fountain on the rural drama “McLeod’s Daughters,” a role that made her a household name and brought her early award nominations. She later worked between Australia and the United States, adding credits that included “Against the Wall,” “The Glades,” “The Rachels” and guest appearances on “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Friends said she balanced the shift to international work with frequent returns home for family events and occasional stage appearances. “Our beautiful girl,” co-star Bridie Carter said in a tribute, recalling long days on set and a colleague who “lifted everyone’s mood” when production ran late.
Relatives said Carpani faced endometriosis and adenomyosis for years and spoke candidly about chronic pain and missed work days, using her profile to push for better support for women with similar diagnoses. In recent seasons she split time between acting and advocacy, appearing at small fundraisers and quiet hospital visits that were seldom publicized. Former partner and co-star Matt Passmore called her “a light” and thanked fans for the compassion shown to the family. The statement from her sister, Georgia, emphasized privacy and described the final week as one of shared stories and photographs pulled from family albums.
Carpani grew up in Sydney’s northwest and trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art short-course program before landing early television roles. The breakout on “McLeod’s Daughters” came in the early 2000s, when the ensemble’s farm setting and family plotlines drew strong ratings. She later moved to Los Angeles, seeking a lower-key path through television pilots and cable projects rather than the tabloid attention that often followed her at home. Casting directors said she brought a direct, unforced style that played well in police and legal dramas and made her a reliable lead for mid-budget productions.
Her final year included a recurring turn on an Australian soap and several development talks for new work in 2026, colleagues said. In interviews over the years, Carpani described career choices that prioritized steady ensembles and work close to family. She was known to keep sets calm, often arriving early to run lines with younger actors. A former producer remembered a last-minute rewrite on a weeknight block that she helped shape, crediting her with improving an emotional scene without drawing attention to herself.
The family’s statement did not list survivors beyond immediate relatives. Friends said plans for a public celebration are still being discussed and may follow release of the medical examiner’s final paperwork in the coming weeks. Unanswered questions remain about any charitable efforts the family might designate in her name. For now, colleagues are sharing quiet tributes on social media: stills from early episodes, snapshots from location shoots and notes about late-night rehearsals that turned into in-jokes the cast kept for years.
Funeral arrangements are set for Dec. 19 at a private service in Sydney. Additional statements from producers and networks are expected afterward, including details about on-air memorial cards and reruns planned in Australia and the United States. As of Tuesday, no public memorial has been scheduled, and the family said further updates would come after they gather later this week.
Author note: Last updated December 16, 2025.