Australian actress and local television icon Patsy King has passed away. She died on Monday, January 18, after a “short illness,” The Sun reports. She was 95.
Fans Pay Tribute to Patsy King
King is beloved for her role on the TV series “Prisoner Cell Block H,” in which she played Governor Erica Davidson. The series first started in 1979 and ran for 7 seasons. It is a role that King held for 351 episodes.
Her passing has been met with an outpouring of love. Social media has been flooded with tributes for King. Celebrities and fans have paid their respect to someone deeply loved and admired. Among the tributes was one from the Melbourne Theatre Company. King had previously been married to the company’s Artistic Director, John Sumner.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Patsy King, a much-loved Australian actor whose career spanned stage, radio, and screen, and whose legacy is woven through the history of Melbourne Theatre Company,” the statement on Instagram reads. They also provided more information about King’s career, including references to her performances in “Peter Pan” and “The Fourposter.”
The statement continues, “Patsy was married to Melbourne Theatre Company founder and Artistic Director John Sumner, and together they were part of a generation that helped shape a distinct Australian theatre culture. Beyond the stage, she became internationally recognised as Governor Erica Davidson in Prisoner, while remaining an advocate for Australian stories and emerging artists.”
Remembering Patsy King
Another loving tribute for King was made on Instagram by Matt Batten. Batten shared a photo of King from her younger days, followed by another, more recent photo of what appears to be the two of them together. In the caption, he shared his thoughts.
“Such sad news to hear of the passing of Patsy King,” Batten wrote. “For so many of us, she will always be remembered as everyone’s favourite Governor, Erica Davidson — a powerful, commanding and unforgettable character. Patsy’s performance left a lasting mark on Australian television and on the hearts of fans everywhere. Rest in peace, and thank you for the memories.”
A fan account dedicated to “Prisoner Cell Block H” on Instagram celebrated King for her portrayal of Governor Erica. “Known to Prisoner fans as governor Erica Davidson regularly in conflict with ‘the Department,’ Patsy played the role with absolute grace,” the tribute reads. “She loved hearing from fans and took part in many events over the years.”
King had a tremendous and early impact on the Australian entertainment industry. She will be remembered fondly and greatly missed by many.
