Rachel Ward, 65, is best known for her breakout role as Meggie Cleary in the 1983 miniseries The Thorn Birds. Though over 200 actresses auditioned, Ward was chosen for her ability to portray Meggie from a naïve young girl to a mature woman. The ten-hour series, based on Colleen McCullough’s novel, was watched by over 30 million in the U.S., earning multiple Golden Globes and Emmys.
Ward met her future husband, co-star Bryan Brown, on set; the couple married months later and have three children. After moving to Australia, she continued acting in films and TV, including On the Beach and Rake, while also producing and directing.
Beyond her career, Ward was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia for her advocacy for disadvantaged youth. She shares a close bond with her daughter Matilda, also an actress, and recently became a grandmother.