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{{BLP sources|date=September 2013}}
{{BLP sources|date=September 2013}}
{{infobox person
{{infobox person
| image =
| image =
| caption = Val Lehman as Queen Bea Smith in [[Prisoner]] (seated)
| caption =
| name = Val Lehman
| name = Val Lehman
| honorific_suffix ={{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AM}}
| honorific_suffix ={{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AM}}
| birth_name = Valerie Kathleen Lehman
| birth_name = Valerie Kathleen Willis
| birth_place = [[Perth]], Western Australia
| birth_place = [[Perth]], Western Australia
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1943|03|15|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1943|03|15|df=yes}}
| spouse = Frank Lehman, {{married|Charles Collins|1989|2002|reason=divorced}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* Frank Lehman
* {{marriage|Charles Collins|1989|2002|reason=divorced}}
}}
| children = 3
| children = 3
| occupation = Actress
| occupation = Actress
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| known_for = ''[[Prisoner (TV series)|Prisoner]]'' (also titled Prisoner: Cell Block H)
| known_for = ''[[Prisoner (TV series)|Prisoner]]'' (also titled Prisoner: Cell Block H)
}}
}}
'''Valerie Kathleen Lehman''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} (née '''Willis'''; born 15 March 1943) is an [[Australians|Australian]] actress and director, best known locally and internationally for her role as the antagonist "Top Dog" and self-styled [[List of Prisoner characters – inmates#Bea Smith|Queen Bea Smith]] in the Australian TV series ''[[Prisoner (TV series)|Prisoner]]'' (known internationally as ''Prisoner: Cell Block H'') for the first five series from 1979 until 1983.
'''Valerie Kathleen Lehman''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} (née '''Willis'''; born 15 March 1943) is an [[Australians|Australian]] actress and director, best known locally and internationally for her role as the antagonist "Top Dog" and self-styled [[List of Prisoner characters – inmates#Bea Smith|Queen Bea Smith]] in the Australian TV series ''[[Prisoner (TV series)|Prisoner]]'' (known internationally as ''Prisoner: Cell Block H'') for the first five series from 1979 until 1983 for 356 episodes.


==Biography==
==Biography==


===Early life and personal life===
===Early life and personal life===
{{expand section|date=March 2023}}
{{expand section|date=March 2023}}
Lehman was born in Perth, Western Australia, on 15 March 1943, she relocated to Melbourne to study arts at the RMIT University<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://metacritc.com/person/val-lehman|title=Val Lehman}}</ref>.Lehman was twice married her first husband was Frank Lehman , she married Charles Collins in 1989 but divorced in 2002. She has two daughter's both whom appeared on "Prisoner", her daughter Cassandra Lehman, played her drug-addicted on-screen daughter Debbie and her other daughter Joanne also appeared as a run away. Val also has a son, Jason.
Lehman was born in Perth, Western Australia, on 15 March 1943. She relocated to Melbourne to study arts at the RMIT University.<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://metacritc.com/person/val-lehman|title=Val Lehman}}</ref> Lehman was married twice. Her first husband was Frank Lehman. In 1989 she married Charles Collins but divorced in 2002. She has two daughters both of whom appeared on "Prisoner". Her daughter Cassandra Lehman played her drug-addicted on-screen daughter Debbie, and her daughter Joanne also appeared as Yvonne, the schoolgirl neighbour of Valerie Richardson with whom Bea Smith stayed whilst on the run. Val also has a son, Jason.


==Honours and awards==
==Honours and awards==
In 2021 she was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) "for significant service to the performing arts and wildlife conservation".<ref name="TVT" />
In 2021 she was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) "for significant service to the performing arts and wildlife conservation".<ref name="TVT" />


She received three Logie Awards for her performance; Best Lead Actress in a Series, Most Popular Actress in 1982 and Best Lead Actress in a Series in 1983. Lehman decided to leave the series towards the end of season five after becoming tired with playing the character, and she recorded her final scenes on 13 May 1983, making her final appearance in episode 400.
She received three [[Logie Awards]] for her performance; Best Lead Actress in a Series, Most Popular Actress in 1982 and Best Lead Actress in a Series in 1983. Lehman decided to leave the series towards the end of season five after becoming tired with playing the character. She recorded her final scenes on 13 May 1983 and made her final appearance in episode 400.


==Career==
==Career==
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Lehman had a guest role on ''[[Neighbours]]'' in December 2017 as [[Joanne Schwartz]], which reunited her with her former ''Prisoner'' co-star [[Colette Mann]].<ref name="tvsite">{{cite web|url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/val-lehman-to-guest-on-neighbours.html|title=Val Lehman to guest on Neighbours|last=Knox|first=David|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>
Lehman had a guest role on ''[[Neighbours]]'' in December 2017 as [[Joanne Schwartz]], which reunited her with her former ''Prisoner'' co-star [[Colette Mann]].<ref name="tvsite">{{cite web|url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/val-lehman-to-guest-on-neighbours.html|title=Val Lehman to guest on Neighbours|last=Knox|first=David|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Lehman joined former Prisoner co-stars [[Fiona Spence]] and [[Colette Mann]] for a cameo appearance in the series seven finale of [[Wentworth (TV series)]], but the cameo scene was scrapped when the series was renewed for a further 20 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2019-08-06 |title=Wentworth filmed Prisoner cast cameos {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/08/wentworth-filmed-prisoner-cast-cameos.html |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

===Television===
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 49: Line 55:
| 1967
| 1967
| ''[[Bellbird (TV series)|Bellbird]]''
| ''[[Bellbird (TV series)|Bellbird]]''
| Guest appearance
| Unknown role
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| TV series
| Guest, unknown episode(s)
|-
|-
| 1972
| 1972
| ''[[Homicide (Australian TV series)|Homicide]]''
| ''[[Homicide (Australian TV series)|Homicide]]''
| Nurse
| Nurse
| [[Seven Network]]
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, Season 9 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 9, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1976
| 1976
Line 69: Line 75:
| Woman in Lane
| Woman in Lane
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| ABC TV Miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
| 1979
| ''[[The Dolebludgers]]''
| Mrs. Price
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 1979–1983
| 1979–1983
Line 81: Line 81:
| [[List of Prisoner characters – inmates#Bea Smith|Bea Smith]]
| [[List of Prisoner characters – inmates#Bea Smith|Bea Smith]]
| [[Network Ten]]
| [[Network Ten]]
| TV series, Seasons 1–5 (main, 376 episodes)
| TV series, Seasons 1–5, 376 episodes
|-
| 1979
| ''[[The Franky Doyle Story]]''
| Bea Smith
| Network Ten
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 1981
| 1981
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| Herself / Bea Smith
| Herself / Bea Smith
| [[Network Ten]]
| [[Network Ten]]
| TV special Cast performance at Pentridge prison
| TV special (Cast performance at Pentridge prison)
|-
| 1981; 1983
| ''[[The Mike Walsh Show]]''
| Guest - Herself
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1981
| 1981
| ''[[Outbreak of Love]]''
| ''[[Outbreak of Love (miniseries)|Outbreak of Love]]''
| Mrs. Montaubyn
| Mrs. Montaubyn
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| ABC TV miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| 1982
| 1982
| ''The 24th Annual [[TV Week Logie Awards]]''
| ''The 24th Annual [[TV Week Logie Awards]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Nine network
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV special
| TV special
|-
|-
| 1982
| 1982
| ''[[The Saturday Show (Australian TV series)|The Saturday Show]]''
| ''[[The Saturday Show (Australian TV series)|The Saturday Show]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| [[ABC TV (Australian TV channel)|ABC]]
| ABC TV
| ABC TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1983
| 1983
| ''Melbourne Cup Carnival''
| ''[[The Mike Walsh Show]]''
| Guest - Herself
| Herself & Daughter Joanne
| TV series, 1 episode
| Channel Ten
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Spring Racing Carnival|Melbourne Cup Carnival]]''
| Herself (with daughter Joanne)
| [[Network 10]]
| TV special
| TV special
|-
|-
| 1983
| 1983
| ''[[Parkinson In Australia]]''
| ''[[Parkinson In Australia]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| [[Network 10]]
| Ten network
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
| 1984
| ''The 26th Annual TV Week Logie Awards''
| Audience member
| TV Special
|-
|-
| 1985
| 1985
| ''The Ernie Sigley Show''
| ''The Ernie Sigley Show''
| Herself
| Guest
| Nine network Melbourne
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
| 1985
| ''[[I Live with Me Dad]]''
| Marge
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 1985
| 1985
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| [[Nine Network]]
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
| 1986
| ''Kids 21st Birthday Channel Ten Telethon''
| Guest - Herself as taped appearance with Prisoner cast: Colette Mann, Elspeth Ballantyne, Glenda Linscott & Jane Clifton
| TV special
|-
|-
| 1986
| 1986
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| Val Bates
| Val Bates
| [[Nine Network]]
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV miniseries Guest, 1 episode
| TV miniseries, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1987
| 1989
| ''[[Army Wives (1987 film)|Army Wives]]''
| ''[[The Bert Newton Show]]''
| Guest - Herself with Bruce Ruxton, Sings "Flottsam Jettsam" (from 'Bea') with Jon Finlayson
| Jill's Mother
| Seven Network
| [[Network Ten]]
| TV movie
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
| 1989
| ''In Melbourne Today''
| Guest - Herself
| Nine network
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
| ''[[TV AM]]''
| ''[[TV AM]]''
| Guest (with [[Carol Burns]] & [[Fiona Spence]])
| BBC1
| [[BBC One|BBC1]]
| Herself with Carol Burns & Fiona Spence
| TV series UK, 1 episode
| TV series UK, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
| ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''
| ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| ITV
| TV series UK, 1 episode
| TV series UK, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1990
| 1990
| ''[[Wogan]]''
| ''[[Wogan]]''
| Herself & Amanda Muggleton
| Guest (with [[Amanda Muggleton]])
| BBC1
| [[BBC One|BBC1]]
| TV series UK, 1 episode
| TV series UK, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1990
| 1990
| ''The Great Escape''
| ''The Great Escape''
| Herself
| Guest
|
| Video UK
| Video UK
|-
|-
| 1991
| 1991
| ''Ring My Bell''
| ''Ring My Bell''
| Herself
| Guest
|
| TV series UK
| TV series UK
|-
|-
| 1993
| 1993
| ''[[Celebrity Squares]]''
| ''[[Celebrity Squares]]''
| Contestant
| Herself
| BBC
| [[BBC]]
| TV series, 2 episodes
| TV series, 2 episodes
|-
|-
| 1994
| 1994
| ''[[Ken Dodd: An Audience with Ken Dodd]]''
| ''[[Ken Dodd: An Audience with Ken Dodd]]''
| Herself-Audience member (uncredited)
| Audience member (uncredited)
|
| TV special UK
| TV special UK
|-
|-
| 1994-2002
| 1994-2002
| ''Good Morning Australia''
| ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992 TV program)|Good Morning Australia]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
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| Fran Weber
| Fran Weber
| [[Nine Network]]
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, Season 3 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 3, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
| ''[[Burke's Backyard]]''
| ''[[Burke's Backyard]]''
| Herself - Celebrity Gardener
| Celebrity Gardener
| Nine network
| [[Nine network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
| ''Sale of the Century: Battle of the TV Classics''
| ''[[Sale of the Century (Australian game show)|Sale of the Century: Battle of the TV Classics]]''
| Guest
| Nine network
| [[Nine network]]
| Herself
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| ''40 Years of TV Stars... Then and Now''
| ''40 Years of TV Stars... Then and Now''
| Herself
| Herself
| Nine network
| [[Nine network]]
| TV special
| TV special
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
| ''[[Where Are They Now? (Australian TV program)|Where Are They Now?]]''
| ''[[Where Are They Now? (Australian TV program)|Where Are They Now?]]''
| Herself with Carol Burns, Gerard Maguire, Lynne Hamilton & Lynda Stoner
| Guest (with [[Carol Burns]], [[Gerard Maguire]], [[Lynne Hamilton]] & [[Lynda Stoner]])
| Seven network
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1998
| 1998
| ''The Big Breakfast''
| ''[[The Big Breakfast]]''
| Herself
| Herself
|
| TV series UK
| TV series UK
|-
|-
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| Rose Kinsella
| Rose Kinsella
| [[Nine Network]]
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, Season 2 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 2, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1998;2001
| 1998; 2001
| ''[[Blue Heelers]]''
| ''[[Blue Heelers]]''
| Bonnie Crossing
| Bonnie Crossing
| [[Seven Network]]
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, Season 5 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 5, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 1998
| 1998
| ''Denise''
| ''[[Denise (TV program)|Denise]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| Bea Smith
| Bea Smith
| [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]
| [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]
| TV series, Season 1 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, season 1, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2000–2002
| 2000–02
| ''[[Something in the Air (TV series)|Something in the Air]]''
| ''[[Something in the Air (TV series)|Something in the Air]]''
| Joyce Cassidy
| Joyce Cassidy
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| Seasons 1 & 3 (recurring, 5 episodes)
| Seasons 1 & 3, 5 episodes
|-
|-
| 2001
| 2001
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| Ivy Henderson
| Ivy Henderson
| [[Seven Network]]
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, Season 8 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 8, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2001
| 2001
| ''[[I Love the '80s (British TV series)|I Love the 1980's]]''
| ''[[I Love the '80s (British TV series)|I Love the 1980's]]''
| Herself
| Herself
|
| TV series UK
| TV series UK
|-
|-
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| ''The Best of Aussie Cop Shows''
| ''The Best of Aussie Cop Shows''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV special
| TV special
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Secret Bridesmaids' Business (film)|Secret Bridesmaids' Business]]''
| Colleen
| [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| ABC TV movie
|-
|-
| 2002
| 2002
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| Rita O'Reilly
| Rita O'Reilly
| [[Australian Classification Board|ABC]]
| [[Australian Classification Board|ABC]]
| TV series, Season 1 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 1, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2003
| 2003
| ''[[The Salon (TV series)|The Salon]]''
| ''[[The Salon (TV series)|The Salon]]''
| Herself
| Herself
|
| TV series UK, 1 episode
| TV series UK, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2005
| 2005
| ''[[After They Were Famous]]''
| ''[[After They Were Famous]]''
| Herself
| Guest
|
| TV series UK, 1 episode
| TV series UK, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| ''[[Temptation (Australian game show)|Temptation]]''
| ''[[Temptation (Australian game show)|Temptation]]''
| Contestant with Colette Mann
| Herself
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| ''[[Where Are They Now? (Australian TV program)|Where Are They Now?]]''
| ''[[Where Are They Now? (Australian TV program)|Where Are They Now?]]''
| Herself with Prisoner cast: Peta Toppano, Amanda Muggleton, Carol Burns & Maggie Kirkpatrick
| Guest (with ''Prisoner'' cast: [[Peta Toppano]], [[Amanda Muggleton]], [[Carol Burns]] & [[Maggie Kirkpatrick]])
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| ''[[20 to 1]]''
| ''[[20 to 1]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| ''[[What a Year]]''
| ''[[What a Year]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
| ''Bert's Family Fued''
| ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]''
| Contestant
| Herself
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 344: Line 359:
| Maggie Brooks
| Maggie Brooks
| [[Seven Network]]
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, Season 12 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 12, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| ''Mornings with Kerri-Anne''
| ''[[Kerri-Anne|Mornings with Kerri-Anne]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2009;2011
| 2009; 2011
| ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''
| ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 2 episode
| TV series, 2 episode
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| ''9am with David & Kim''
| ''[[9am with David & Kim]]''
| Herself with Amanda Muggleton & Peta Toppano
| Guest (with [[Amanda Muggleton]] & [[Peta Toppano]])
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 368: Line 383:
| Dorothy Denzel
| Dorothy Denzel
| [[Seven Network]]
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, Season 4 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 4, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''
| ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV program)|A Current Affair]]''
| Herself with Carol Burns, Elspeth Ballantyne Fiona Spence, Patsy King, Jane Clifton, Judith McGrath & Margaret Laurence
| Guest (with [[Carol Burns]], [[Elspeth Ballantyne]], [[Fiona Spence]], [[Patsy King]], [[Jane Clifton]], [[Judith McGrath]] & [[Margaret Laurence (actress)|Margaret Laurence]])
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| ''Kerri-Anne''
| ''[[Kerri-Anne]]''
| Herself & Amanda Muggleton
| Herself (with [[Amanda Muggleton]])
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Today Tonight]]''
| Herself with Rowena Wallace, Brian Wenzel & Gerard Kennedy
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 386: Line 406:
| Elaine
| Elaine
| [[ABC TV Plus|ABC2]]
| [[ABC TV Plus|ABC2]]
| ABC TV miniseries, 1 episode
| TV miniseries, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2013;2020
| 2013; 2020
| ''The Morning Show''
| ''[[The Morning Show (TV program)|The Morning Show]]''
| Herself with Prisoner cast: Carol Burns, Fiona Spence, Patsy King, Colette Mann & Elspeth Ballantyne
| Guest (with ''Prisoner'' cast: [[Carol Burns]], [[Fiona Spence]], [[Patsy King]], [[Colette Mann]] & [[Elspeth Ballantyne]])
| Channel Seven
| Channel Seven
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
Line 397: Line 417:
| ''[[Secrets & Lies (Australian TV series)|Secrets & Lies]]''
| ''[[Secrets & Lies (Australian TV series)|Secrets & Lies]]''
| Patricia
| Patricia
| [[Network Ten]]
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, Season 1 (guest, 1 episode)
| TV series, Season 1, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (Australian TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''
| ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (Australian TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''
| Herself-Contestant
| Contestant
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 31 episodes
| TV series, 31 episodes
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| ''The Project''
| ''[[The Project (Australian TV program)|The Project]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| ''[[All Star Family Feud]]''
| ''[[All Star Family Feud]]''
| Herself - Contestant
| Contestant
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2016;2018
| 2016; 2018
| ''Today Extra''
| ''[[Today Extra]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 2017;2018
| 2017; 2018
| ''The Daily Edition''
| ''[[The Daily Edition]]''
| Herself - Guest
| Guest
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 433: Line 453:
| Joanne Schwarz
| Joanne Schwarz
| [[10 Peach]]
| [[10 Peach]]
| TV series, Season 33 (guest, 2 episodes)
| TV series, Season 33, 2 episodes
|-
|-
| 2018;2021
| 2018; 2021
| ''Today''
| ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today]]''
| Herself & Amanda Muggleton
| Guest (with [[Amanda Muggleton]])
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''Today Extra''
| ''[[Today Extra]]''
| Herself & Amanda Muggleton
| Guest (with [[Amanda Muggleton]])
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2018;2019;2021
| 2018; 2019; 2021
| ''Studio 10''
| ''[[Studio 10]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 3 episodes
| TV series, 3 episodes
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''The Daily Edition''
| ''[[The Daily Edition]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
| ''Studio 10''
| ''[[Studio 10]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 471: Line 491:
| Season 7 (cameo, scene deleted)
| Season 7 (cameo, scene deleted)
|-
|-
| 2019;2021
| 2019; 2021
| ''Studio 10''
| ''[[Studio 10]]''
| Herself & Amanda Muggleton
| Guest (with [[Amanda Muggleton]])
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2020;2022
| 2020; 2022
| ''The Morning Show''
| ''[[The Morning Show (TV program)|The Morning Show]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
Line 490: Line 510:
|-
|-
| 2021
| 2021
| ''Studio 10''
| ''[[Studio 10]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Ten
| [[Network 10|Network Ten]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
| 2021
| 2021
| ''Today Extra''
| ''[[Today Extra]]''
| Herself
| Herself
| Channel Nine
| [[Nine Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| ''Talking Prisoner Podcast''
| ''Talking Prisoner Podcast''
| Herself
| Herself
| [[YouTube]]
| You tube
| Webseries, 2 episodes
| Webseries, 2 episodes
|-
|-
| 2022
| 2022
| ''The Morning Show''
| ''[[The Morning Show (TV program)|The Morning Show]]''
| Herself
| Guest
| Channel Seven
| [[Seven Network]]
| TV series, 1 episode
| TV series, 1 episode
|-
|-
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| Delaunay
| Delaunay
| [[Netflix]]
| [[Netflix]]
| TV series, Season 1 (Recurring, 10 episodes)
| TV series, Season 1, 10 episodes
|}
|}


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|
|
| Short film<ref>{{cite web| title=The Idyll (1977)| url=https://www.goldposter.com/movie/10200878/| website=goldposter.com| access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>
| Short film<ref>{{cite web| title=The Idyll (1977)| url=https://www.goldposter.com/movie/10200878/| website=goldposter.com| access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 1979
| ''[[The Dolebludgers]]''
| Mrs. Price
| TV movie
|-
| 1979
| ''[[The Franky Doyle Story]]''
| Bea Smith
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 1982
| 1982
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| Big Lil
| Big Lil
| Feature film
| Feature film
|-
| 1985
| ''[[I Live with Me Dad]]''
| Marge
| TV movie
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Army Wives (1987 film)|Army Wives]]''
| Jill's Mother
| TV movie
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Secret Bridesmaids' Business (film)|Secret Bridesmaids' Business]]''
| Colleen
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
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[[Category:People from Ballarat]]
[[Category:People from Ballarat]]
[[Category:People from Redland City]]
[[Category:People from Redland City]]
[[Category:Actors from Ipswich]]
[[Category:Actresses from Ipswich]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian actresses]]

Latest revision as of 07:05, 23 October 2024

Val Lehman
AM
Born
Valerie Kathleen Willis

(1943-03-15) 15 March 1943 (age 81)
Perth, Western Australia
OccupationActress
Years active1967–present
Known forPrisoner (also titled Prisoner: Cell Block H)
Spouses
  • Frank Lehman
Charles Collins
​
​
(m. 1989; div. 2002)​
Children3

Valerie Kathleen Lehman AM (née Willis; born 15 March 1943) is an Australian actress and director, best known locally and internationally for her role as the antagonist "Top Dog" and self-styled Queen Bea Smith in the Australian TV series Prisoner (known internationally as Prisoner: Cell Block H) for the first five series from 1979 until 1983 for 356 episodes.

Biography

[edit]

Early life and personal life

[edit]

Lehman was born in Perth, Western Australia, on 15 March 1943. She relocated to Melbourne to study arts at the RMIT University.[1] Lehman was married twice. Her first husband was Frank Lehman. In 1989 she married Charles Collins but divorced in 2002. She has two daughters both of whom appeared on "Prisoner". Her daughter Cassandra Lehman played her drug-addicted on-screen daughter Debbie, and her daughter Joanne also appeared as Yvonne, the schoolgirl neighbour of Valerie Richardson with whom Bea Smith stayed whilst on the run. Val also has a son, Jason.

Honours and awards

[edit]

In 2021 she was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) "for significant service to the performing arts and wildlife conservation".[2]

She received three Logie Awards for her performance; Best Lead Actress in a Series, Most Popular Actress in 1982 and Best Lead Actress in a Series in 1983. Lehman decided to leave the series towards the end of season five after becoming tired with playing the character. She recorded her final scenes on 13 May 1983 and made her final appearance in episode 400.

Career

[edit]

Lehman has appeared in many other Australian television productions, mostly in guest roles. Prior to Prisoner she acted in the television series Bellbird and Tandarra. After Prisoner she appeared in The Flying Doctors, Army Wives, Something in the Air, Blue Heelers, All Saints and City Homicide.

In 2016, Lehman was a contestant on the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. On 6 March 2016 she was evicted from the jungle.

Lehman had a guest role on Neighbours in December 2017 as Joanne Schwartz, which reunited her with her former Prisoner co-star Colette Mann.[3]

In 2018, Lehman joined former Prisoner co-stars Fiona Spence and Colette Mann for a cameo appearance in the series seven finale of Wentworth (TV series), but the cameo scene was scrapped when the series was renewed for a further 20 episodes.[4]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Title Year Role Network Notes
1967 Bellbird Guest appearance ABC TV series
1972 Homicide Nurse Seven Network TV series, Season 9, 1 episode
1976 Tandarra Dinner Guest Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
1976 Power Without Glory Woman in Lane ABC TV miniseries
1979–1983 Prisoner Bea Smith Network Ten TV series, Seasons 1–5, 376 episodes
1981 Prisoner in Concert Herself / Bea Smith Network Ten TV special (Cast performance at Pentridge prison)
1981; 1983 The Mike Walsh Show Guest - Herself TV series, 1 episode
1981 Outbreak of Love Mrs. Montaubyn ABC TV miniseries
1982 The 24th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself Nine Network TV special
1982 The Saturday Show Guest ABC TV series, 1 episode
1983 The Mike Walsh Show Guest - Herself TV series, 1 episode
1983 Melbourne Cup Carnival Herself (with daughter Joanne) Network 10 TV special
1983 Parkinson In Australia Guest Network 10 TV series, 1 episode
1984 The 26th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Audience member TV Special
1985 The Ernie Sigley Show Guest Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
1985 A Fortunate Life Bert's Mother Nine Network TV miniseries
1986 Kids 21st Birthday Channel Ten Telethon Guest - Herself as taped appearance with Prisoner cast: Colette Mann, Elspeth Ballantyne, Glenda Linscott & Jane Clifton TV special
1986 The Flying Doctors Val Bates Nine Network TV miniseries, 1 episode
1989 The Bert Newton Show Guest - Herself with Bruce Ruxton, Sings "Flottsam Jettsam" (from 'Bea') with Jon Finlayson Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
1989 In Melbourne Today Guest - Herself Nine network TV series, 1 episode
1989 TV AM Guest (with Carol Burns & Fiona Spence) BBC1 TV series UK, 1 episode
1989 This Morning Guest ITV TV series UK, 1 episode
1990 Wogan Guest (with Amanda Muggleton) BBC1 TV series UK, 1 episode
1990 The Great Escape Guest Video UK
1991 Ring My Bell Guest TV series UK
1993 Celebrity Squares Contestant BBC TV series, 2 episodes
1994 Ken Dodd: An Audience with Ken Dodd Audience member (uncredited) TV special UK
1994-2002 Good Morning Australia Guest Network Ten TV series
1994 Law of the Land Fran Weber Nine Network TV series, Season 3, 1 episode
1995 Burke's Backyard Celebrity Gardener Nine network TV series, 1 episode
1995 Sale of the Century: Battle of the TV Classics Guest Nine network TV series, 1 episode
1996 Wilderness Vet ITV TV miniseries UK
1996 40 Years of TV Stars... Then and Now Herself Nine network TV special
1997 Where Are They Now? Guest (with Carol Burns, Gerard Maguire, Lynne Hamilton & Lynda Stoner) Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
1998 The Big Breakfast Herself TV series UK
1998 Good Guys, Bad Guys Rose Kinsella Nine Network TV series, Season 2, 1 episode
1998; 2001 Blue Heelers Bonnie Crossing Seven Network TV series, Season 5, 1 episode
1998 Denise Herself Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
2000 Pizza Bea Smith SBS TV series, season 1, 1 episode
2000–2002 Something in the Air Joyce Cassidy ABC Seasons 1 & 3, 5 episodes
2001 Blue Heelers Ivy Henderson Seven Network TV series, Season 8, 1 episode
2001 I Love the 1980's Herself TV series UK
2002 The Best of Aussie Cop Shows Herself Seven Network TV special
2002 MDA Rita O'Reilly ABC TV series, Season 1, 1 episode
2003 The Salon Herself TV series UK, 1 episode
2005 After They Were Famous Guest TV series UK, 1 episode
2006 Temptation Contestant with Colette Mann Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2006 Where Are They Now? Guest (with Prisoner cast: Peta Toppano, Amanda Muggleton, Carol Burns & Maggie Kirkpatrick) Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
2007 20 to 1 Herself Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2007 What a Year Herself Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2008 Bert's Family Feud Contestant Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2009 All Saints Maggie Brooks Seven Network TV series, Season 12, 1 episode
2009 Mornings with Kerri-Anne Guest Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2009; 2011 A Current Affair Guest Nine Network TV series, 2 episode
2009 9am with David & Kim Guest (with Amanda Muggleton & Peta Toppano) Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2010 City Homicide Dorothy Denzel Seven Network TV series, Season 4, 1 episode
2011 A Current Affair Guest (with Carol Burns, Elspeth Ballantyne, Fiona Spence, Patsy King, Jane Clifton, Judith McGrath & Margaret Laurence) Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2011 Kerri-Anne Herself (with Amanda Muggleton) Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2012 Today Tonight Herself with Rowena Wallace, Brian Wenzel & Gerard Kennedy TV series, 1 episode
2012 The Strange Calls Elaine ABC2 TV miniseries, 1 episode
2013; 2020 The Morning Show Guest (with Prisoner cast: Carol Burns, Fiona Spence, Patsy King, Colette Mann & Elspeth Ballantyne) Channel Seven TV series, 1 episode
2014 Secrets & Lies Patricia Network Ten TV series, Season 1, 1 episode
2016 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Contestant Network Ten TV series, 31 episodes
2016 The Project Guest Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2016 All Star Family Feud Contestant Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2016; 2018 Today Extra Guest Nine Network TV series
2017; 2018 The Daily Edition Guest TV series, 1 episode
2017 Neighbours Joanne Schwarz 10 Peach TV series, Season 33, 2 episodes
2018; 2021 Today Guest (with Amanda Muggleton) Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2018 Today Extra Guest (with Amanda Muggleton) Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2018; 2019; 2021 Studio 10 Guest Network Ten TV series, 3 episodes
2018 The Daily Edition Guest Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
2019 Studio 10 Guest Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2019 Wentworth New Prisoner Fox Showcase Season 7 (cameo, scene deleted)
2019; 2021 Studio 10 Guest (with Amanda Muggleton) Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2020; 2022 The Morning Show Herself Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
2020 The End Kelly Showcase Season 1 (recurring, 4 episodes)
2021 Studio 10 Herself Network Ten TV series, 1 episode
2021 Today Extra Herself Nine Network TV series, 1 episode
2021 Talking Prisoner Podcast Herself YouTube Webseries, 2 episodes
2022 The Morning Show Guest Seven Network TV series, 1 episode
2022 Irreverent Delaunay Netflix TV series, Season 1, 10 episodes

Film

[edit]
Title Year Role Notes
1977 The Idyll Short film[5]
1979 The Dolebludgers Mrs. Price TV movie
1979 The Franky Doyle Story Bea Smith TV movie
1982 Kitty and the Bagman Big Lil Feature film
1985 I Live with Me Dad Marge TV movie
1987 Army Wives Jill's Mother TV movie
2002 Secret Bridesmaids' Business Colleen TV movie
2008 Smitten Violet Short film[6]
2008 Lapse Rose Short film[7]
2009 Charlie & Boots Bowling Lady Driver Feature film
2017 The Veiled Edith Short film[8]
2018 Holt Old Vyner Gillespie Short film[9]
2022 The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay Wendy Feature film
2022 Hitched The Boss Lady Short film

Awards and honours

[edit]
Association Award Year Work Results
Logie Awards Best Lead Actress in a Series[10] 1982 Prisoner (Season 3) Won
Logie Awards Most Popular Actress[10] 1982 Won
Logie Awards Best Lead Actress in a Series[10] 1983 Prisoner (Season 4) Won
Australian Government Member of the Order of Australia[2] 2021 Honoured

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Val Lehman".
  2. ^ a b Knox, David (26 January 2021). "Australia Day Honours 2021: Lorrae Desmond, Val Lehman but Kerry O'Brien declines". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  3. ^ Knox, David. "Val Lehman to guest on Neighbours". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  4. ^ Knox, David (6 August 2019). "Wentworth filmed Prisoner cast cameos | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ "The Idyll (1977)". goldposter.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Smitten (2008)". goldposter.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Lapse (2008)". goldposter.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  8. ^ "The Veiled". letterboxd.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  9. ^ "holtshortfilm". instagram.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
[edit]
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