Maxine Klibingaitis

Maxine Koran Klibingaitis (17 May 1964 – 17 April 2023) was an Australian actress, notable for her roles in TV soap operas and serials.

Personal life
Klibingaitis was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on 17 May 1964. In 1987, Klibingaitis married Australian director Andrew Friedman. They have one son, Zane Friedman.

Career
Klibingaitis is most notable for her role in the cult drama soap opera, Prisoner (known internationally as Prisoner: Cell Block H), from 1983 to 1985, as rebellious teen punk, Bobbie Mitchell. During her stint on the series, Klibingaitis' character was involved in several dramatic story arcs, including shoplifting, escaping custody, kidnapping, prostitution, miscarriage and a suicide attempt, before being eventually paroled and becoming engaged to be married. She returned in a guest appearance for a wedding storyline. Klibingaitis attended a 40th anniversary reunion event for Prisoner in February 2019 and a special event hosted by Ken Mulholland and Matt Batten of the website Talking Prisoner, in August 2022.

She was cast in the regular role of Terry Inglis on Melbourne-based soap opera, Neighbours during 1985, in which the character, an apprentice plumber, married Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), before committing murder, then attempting to kill Paul by shooting him, leading to her incarceration and demise by committing suicide. Terry's death, which happened off-screen, attracted controversy, as the subject of suicide was not a common topic covered in an early evening program, and was the only character on the show to die in this way.

Klibingaitis' only other leading role in a television series, was that of Sophie Verstak in the short-lived comedy, Hampton Court in 1991, a spin-off from the popular sitcom, Hey Dad..!. Her additional TV credits include, Special Squad, Fields of Fire, The Flying Doctor, Home and Away, Blue Heelers and Round the Twist.

She made her film debut in 1989, appearing in James Ricketson's Candy Regentag, before going onto roles as a regular in Timothy Spanos films and short form series including Prisoner Queen: Mindless Music & Mirrorballs, Mondo Maniacs, which earned her a MUFF Award for Best Supporting Female Actor at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival, Boronia Boys and the spin off, Boronia Backpackers.

In May 2022, Klibingaitis appeared in an episode of the podcast Yarn About You.

Death
Klibingaitis died suddenly and unexpectedly in Melbourne, Australia on 17 April 2023 at the age of 58. No cause was specified.