An actress who appeared on the popular CBS series “NCIS: Los Angeles” has died at the age of 45.
On Monday, Rachael Carpani’s family announced that she passed away after battling chronic illness.
“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,” said Rachael’s parents in a statement shared by her sister Georgia.
The family then said that a private funeral will be held for Carpani on Friday, December 19.
“The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements,” the statement read.
Carpani’s Career Across Continents
Carpani appeared on several American and Australian television shows, as well as a number of feature films. In addition to “NCIS: Los Angeles,” she spent time on “Stalker,” “Cane,” “Law Dogs,” “True Blue” and “The Glades.”
She appeared in 2014’s “The Umbrella Man,” 2009’s “Triangle” and the 2005 comedy “Hating Alison Ashley.”
In her native Australia, Carpani was best known for her role as Jodi Fountain on the show “McLeod’s Daughters.” She appeared in 179 of the show’s 224 episodes, first as a main cast member from seasons 1-7 and then as a guest character in season eight.
Carpani was nominated for a number of awards in her career, and notably received two nominations in 2007 at the TV Week Logie Awards – Australia’s version of the Primetime Emmys. Her final television role was the part of Claudia Salini in season 37 of the long-running Australian soap series “Home and Away.”
Working Outside of Australia
In 2007, “McLeod’s Daughters” executive producer Karl Zwicky said that the show’s staff encouraged Carpani to take opportunities outside of Australia, particularly in the United States.
“We think it’s fantastic for Rachael to get this opportunity,” Zwicky told the Sydney Morning Herald.
At the time, Zwicky said that Carpani was an actress with a “lot of natural talent who has evolved into a consummate professional and a great character on the show.”
Carpani would star in multiple Lifetime television movies in America, including “If There Be Thorns” with Heather Graham, and its sequel “Seeds of Yesterday.”
“NCIS: Los Angeles” ran from 2009 to 2023 and starred Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. The show was a spin-off from the original “NCIS,” which followed the adventures of military police in and around Quantico, Virginia.
