THE Australian showbiz world is in mourning following the death of veteran actor Judith McGrath.

McGrath, best known for her Logie nominated role as Yvonne ‘Von’ Ryan in television medical drama, All Saints, died on Friday evening aged 70.

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She passed away surrounded by her family and friends in her hometown of Brisbane, her management company says.

All Saints co-star Georgie Parker expressed her shock and sadness at the death.

“I learnt so much from this talented, witty person,” Parker wrote on Instagram.

“No bulls*** allowed with this woman.

“Didn’t get tell to you how much you meant to me, but you would have told me to shut up anyway. When I signed off in an email I’d say ‘love me’ and you’d say ‘I do’. Well I love YOU.

“And all of us at All Saints were so very lucky to have worked alongside you. Can’t believe it actually.”

McGrath’s management company said she was known for her generosity.

“Judith was an incredible performer and an Australian legend, an amazing character actor who lent true depth and authenticity to her roles on stage and on screen,” Lee Leslie Management said in a statement.

“Judith was as famous for her kindness, wit and generosity to her many friends and colleagues as she was famous for her roles in Prisoner, A Country Practice and Around The Twist.”

media_camera Judith McGrath as Von on All Saints. media_camera Judith McGrath appeared in 263 episodes of Prisoner.

media_camera Judith was the only original cast member to star across all 12 seasons of the popular soap.

media_camera Actor Judith McGrath.

Rest peacefully Judith McGrath - you’ll be missed. Thanks for a tonne of memorable TV moments. #Prisoner #AllSaints #ACountryPractice 🙏🏼😢 pic.twitter.com/qBvFsCxz4i — Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) October 22, 2017





Entertainment reporter Craig Bennett wrote on Facebook: “Her wonderfully dry wit was peerless. Vale is not enough,”

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The endeared actor most recently appeared on Australian television screens as Maria Crawley in Winners & Losers.

Actor Virginia Gay last night thanked her co-star, saying “what a bloody privilege”.

No! OH, wonderful, dry, sharp as a tack, Jude! Thank you for everything, Jude. What a bloody privilege. xx https://t.co/yErwZU51oa — 🌈 Virginia 🌈 Gay 🌈 (@virginia_gay) October 22, 2017

Born in Brisbane, Ms McGrath appeared in a total of 263 episodes of Prisoner from 1979 and played Bernice Hudson on A Country Practice. But it was her longstanding run on All Saints that was perhaps most memorable.

She was the only original castmate to star across all 12 seasons of the popular soap, which also featured two-time gold Logie winner Parker.

sophie.smith@news.com.au

@SophieSmith86