Melissa Bell (born 7 November 1972) is an Australian actress and fashion designer. She is best known for her roles of Bonnie Tait in E Street, Lucy Robinson in Neighbours, and Emily Harris in Paradise Beach. Bell also made appearances in Home & Away and Water Rats.
Career
Acting
Bell had earlier appeared in the soap opera E Street in the guest role of Janine. She left the role of Lucy in Neighbours to return to E Street to play a new character, the eco-crusader Bonnie Tait. After E Street ended Bell made several brief returns to Neighbours.
She also acted in another soap, Paradise Beach, playing surfer Emily Harris.[2] In 1994, after returning from overseas, Bell secured guest roles in Over the Hill and G.P..[3] She later appeared in several lifestyle programs, such as Celebrity Overhaul.[4]
Fashion design
Bell later become a fashion designer, selling kaftans and party wear from a boutique in Double Bay, Sydney.[5]
Personal life
Bell was married to Jason Redlich from 1996 to 1998.[6] They have one son. Following the end of her marriage, Bell suffered from body dysmorphic disorder and depression.[7] In 2000, Bell married Gary Dickinson. They had three children and lived on the Gold Coast. In November 2015, Dickinson, then 57, suffered a heart attack which left him in a coma.[8] Dickinson died on 13 February 2016.[9] In 2020, Bell became engaged to Grant Thompson,[10] and the couple married in 2022, with Bell wearing the dress her Neighbours character wore in her on-screen wedding.[11] Bell now owns and runs a dress shop in Worongary on the Gold Coast.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | The Venus Factory | Emily DuBois | Film |
2012 | Housos vs. Authority | Model | Film |
2018 | Occupation | Mrs. Kyle | Film |
2021 | The Possessed | Helen | Film |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Rafferty's Rules | Angela Griffin | Episode: "The Beast" |
1990–91 | E Street | Janine | Guest role |
1991–1993, 1995, 2005, 2013–2016, 2020–2024 | Neighbours | Lucy Robinson | Main/Guest cast - 235 episodes |
1992–93 | E Street | Bonnie Tait | Main cast |
1993–94 | Paradise Beach | Emily Harris | Main cast |
1994 | G.P. | Rachel Weller | Episode: "Breakfast with Gazza" |
1996 | Home & Away | Suzie Hudson | Guest role |
1998 | Water Rats | Lisa Hubbard | Episode: "Untouchable" |
References
- ^ "Chatterbox". TV Week. 30 November 1991. p. 71.
- ^ Mercado, Andrew (2004). Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows. Australia: Pluto Press. p. 297. ISBN 1-86403-191-3.
- ^ Brown, David (30 July 1994). "Inside Info". TV Week. p. 6.
- ^ Celebrity Overhaul: Melissa Bell, Nine Network.
- ^ Wing's eye on Bell's view, The Daily Telegraph, 7 August 2007.
- ^ Dowdney, Mark (31 January 1997). "Husband tried to kill me claims Oz soap queen Melissa; Punched: He struck as I cradled our four-week-old son". Daily Record. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via The Free Library.
- ^ "Melissa Bell admits she suffered body dysmorphia leading to thousands of dollars of plastic surgery". The Daily Telegraph. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ Koch, Phillip (8 December 2015). "Neighbours star Melissa Bell's brave battle to save her husband's life". Woman's Day. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Neighbours star Melissa Bell reveals heartbreak after husband Gary Dickinson battled for life". 21 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Burrell, Zoe (9 August 2021). "Neighbours star Melissa Bell's wedding joy: 'How I found happiness again'". New Idea. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ Julians, Joe (7 November 2022). "Former Neighbours star Melissa Bell ties the knot in dress she wore on the soap". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
External links
- Melissa Bell at IMDb