Madeleine West
Encyclopedia
Madeleine West is an Australian actress known for her TV roles, having played Dee Bliss on the Australian soap opera Neighbours
from 2000–2003 and high-class escort Mel on Satisfaction
from 2007 to 2010.
Talented Child Drama Ensemble and later studied at Swinburne University of Technology
, Tamworth Conservatorium of Music, and Riverina Drama Ensemble. After commencing a degree in Law at Deakin University
, West deferred her studies indefinitely to turn to acting. In 1999 West was awarded the 'Be Your Best' Performance Scholarship from the Australian Drug Foundation
. While Neighbours is her first full time television role, Madeleine's amateur theatre credits include Arsenic and Old Lace
, Night Reflections, Theatre in the Raw, Bye Bye Birdie, and Snow Queen.
West joined the cast of Neighbours
as Dee Bliss in 1999. Two years later, she was nominated for the "Most Popular New Female Talent" Logie Award
. In March 2003, it was announced West was to leave Neighbours after her contract expired. She filmed her final scenes in early April.
In 2011, West joined the cast of Winners & Losers
in the recurring role of Deidre Gross. West previously turned down a role with the show due to being heavily pregnant with her third child.
In July 2002, West was hit by a bus in Sydney. The actress was also robbed while she was unconscious. West needed reconstructive plastic surgery and had to be written out of Neighbours. She returned to the show a month later.
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
from 2000–2003 and high-class escort Mel on Satisfaction
Satisfaction (TV series)
Satisfaction is an Australian television drama series which screened on the subscription television channel Showcase. It also screens in the Republic of Ireland on free-to-air channel TV3 and its sister channel 3e and in New Zealand on free-to-air channel TV2 respectively.The series was filmed in...
from 2007 to 2010.
Career
Born Melanie Weston, West began performing in front of family and friends at an early age. In 1992, she entered the New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Talented Child Drama Ensemble and later studied at Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992...
, Tamworth Conservatorium of Music, and Riverina Drama Ensemble. After commencing a degree in Law at Deakin University
Deakin University
Deakin University is an Australian public university with nearly 40,000 higher education students in 2010. It receives more than A$600 million in operating revenue annually, and controls more than A$1.3 billion in assets. It received more than A$35 million in research income in 2009 and had 835...
, West deferred her studies indefinitely to turn to acting. In 1999 West was awarded the 'Be Your Best' Performance Scholarship from the Australian Drug Foundation
Australian Drug Foundation
The Australian Drug Foundation is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. The ADF's work is inclusive of both legal and illegal drugs on a national level and focuses on primary and secondary prevention...
. While Neighbours is her first full time television role, Madeleine's amateur theatre credits include Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace (play)
Arsenic and Old Lace is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939. It has become best known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra. The play was directed by Bretaigne Windust, and opened on January 10, 1941. On September 25, 1943, the...
, Night Reflections, Theatre in the Raw, Bye Bye Birdie, and Snow Queen.
West joined the cast of Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
as Dee Bliss in 1999. Two years later, she was nominated for the "Most Popular New Female Talent" Logie Award
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
. In March 2003, it was announced West was to leave Neighbours after her contract expired. She filmed her final scenes in early April.
In 2011, West joined the cast of Winners & Losers
Winners & Losers
Winners & Losers is a Australian television drama series first broadcast on the Seven Network on 22 March 2011. It was created by the producers of Packed to the Rafters and is aired in the show's former time slot...
in the recurring role of Deidre Gross. West previously turned down a role with the show due to being heavily pregnant with her third child.
Personal life
West is married to Shannon Bennett, a restaurateur. The couple have three children together.In July 2002, West was hit by a bus in Sydney. The actress was also robbed while she was unconscious. West needed reconstructive plastic surgery and had to be written out of Neighbours. She returned to the show a month later.
Filmography
- The CondemnedThe CondemnedThe Condemned is a 2007 action film, co-written and directed by Scott Wiper, and starring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Vinnie Jones, Robert Mammone, Madeleine West and Rick Hoffman....
(2007) – as Sarah - Last Man Standing, (2005, Season 1, Episode 16) – as Janie
- You and Your Stupid MateYou and Your Stupid MateYou and Your Stupid Mate is an Australian comedy film directed by Marc Gracie.-Cast:*Nathan Phillips as Philip*Angus Sampson as Jeffrey*Rachel Hunter as Karen*Madeleine West as Emma-Plot:...
(2005) – as Emma - HerculesHercules (TV miniseries)Hercules is a 2005 RHI Entertainment television miniseries, chronicling the life of the legendary Greek hero, Heracles, called Hercules in this series...
(2005) – as Hippolyta - Big Reef – as Casey Lane
- StingersStingersStingers was an Australian police drama television series. It ran for eight seasons on the Nine Network before it was canceled in late 2004 due to declining ratings and the late timeslot Channel Nine gave the program...
– "The River of No Return" – as Rochelle - NeighboursNeighboursNeighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
– as Dione 'Dee' Bliss - SatisfactionSatisfaction (TV series)Satisfaction is an Australian television drama series which screened on the subscription television channel Showcase. It also screens in the Republic of Ireland on free-to-air channel TV3 and its sister channel 3e and in New Zealand on free-to-air channel TV2 respectively.The series was filmed in...
(2007–2010) – as Mel - UnderbellyUnderbelly (TV series)Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,...
(2008) – as Danielle McGuire - Canal RoadCanal Road (TV series)Canal Road is an Australian television drama series on the Nine Network. The series was produced in-house, under producer Susan Bower, in collaboration with writers Sarah Smith, John Ridley and Dave Warner, and directed by Kevin Carlin. It was filmed at Channel Nine’s GTV Studio 11 and on location...
(2008) - Anti-Theft – as Kelly Born
External links
- Official Website
- Profile from Neighbours
- Madeleine West's character Mel from Satisfaction