SOLDIER Soldier star Marise Wipani has died suddenly aged 61.
The actress – who also appeared in TV shows Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules and Shortland Street, and was a former Miss New Zealand – passed away on her birthday on Friday (June 6).
Marise Wipani played Ellie on ITV drama Soldier, Soldier[/caption]
Wipani in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys in 1995[/caption]
Wipani was also a co-host for Lotto New Zealand[/caption]
A post on her Facebook page said: “Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends.
“She just wanted to say….I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy.”
A cause of death was not revealed.
Wipani played Ellie in season three of ITV drama Soldier, Soldier, which broadcast in 1993.
At its peak, the show saw an average viewership of 16.1 million, which coincided with Wipani’s time in the cast.
The programme – created by Lucy Gannon – followed the daily lives of a group of soldiers in ‘A’ Company, 1st Battalion The King’s Fusiliers, and also featured Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, running from 1991 to 1997.
Co-star Jay Laga’aia, who played Sgt. Bob Gilligan, was among those to pay tribute to Wipani, writing: “I saw this and quickly checked that it wasn’t some kind of sick joke.
“Sister I am devastated to hear this news. You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well my sister, love you always.”
