Vale: Jeanne Little
Inimitable showbiz performer Jeanne Little, best known for her catchphrase "Hello Dahhhling!" has died.
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Inimitable showbiz performer Jeanne Little, best known for her catchphrase “Hello Dahhhling!” has died, aged 82.
Her daughter Katie confirmed in a Facebook post her mother had died, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
She became a household name through her outrageous appearances on The Mike Walsh Show, initially on 10. She first appeared on the show when she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant in 1974 to plug her ailing dressmaking business. Her larger-than-life character made her an instant hit with audiences and she went on to become an Australian television fixture for the next 30 years, taking out two Silver Logies and the Gold Logie in 1976.
On The Mike Walsh Show on Nine she wore gaudy costumes and wigs, years before Lady Gaga and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. She made home-made frocks of alfoil, garbage bags, bubble wrap and toast- and hats she has made out of food including pizza, french fries, crumpets, bangers and mash, ice cream cones and frankfurters in honour of Melbourne Cup day.
She held audiences captivated with her loud voice, fashionista style and sense of daring, all with an innate Australian sense of self-irreverence.
“Initially, I was probably this frenetic…overdressed maniac,” she once said, “but I think over the years people have sort of got to know me more and I’m always sort of, you know, on different shows, and talking here and there and everything, and I do think that, um…I’m sort of accepted now.”
It was followed by similar appearances on Midday with Ray Martin, Good Morning Australia and later The Bert Newton Show on Seven where she hosted a “Housewife Superstar” talent search.
Little was also a regular on Beauty & the Beast hosted by Stan Zemanek. She performed at the Royal Command Bicentennial Concert before the Prince and Princess of Wales and toured in Jerry’s Girls with Debra Byrne, Marcia Hines, Judie Connelli, Angela Ayres before Legends with Kerrie Biddell, Toni Lamond and Nancye Hayes. In cabaret she performed Marlene, her one woman tribute to Marlene Dietrich.
But Jeanne developed a stutter as a teenager and sought treatment when it resurfaced in 1983. She developed her drawling ‘Dahhling’ as a way of moderating her stutter, becoming a patron of The Australian Stuttering Foundation.
In 2009 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease which impacted so rapidly, she was sadly in care by the age of 70. It would continue for a cruel 11 years.
“It’s no wonder every housewife around Australia was turning the television on and going ‘What is she doing this week?’” said devoted daughter Katie, “because she made life fun.”
Mum turned 80 yesterday. She was a cool mum & I miss her unconventionality, energy, creativity, her practical nature & yes I suppose – even her stubbornness!!!, Most of all I really miss her voice. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Happy Birthday Jeanne Little. #Alzheimers pic.twitter.com/8quN8cOsDW
— Katie M Little (@LittleFamilyOz) May 11, 2018
16 Responses
My mum suffered from depression for many years but as a child i remember how Jeannie made mum laugh to the point of tears with her madcap silliness & those fabulous outfits on the Mike Walsh show. Thank you Jeannie for all the happiness you brought to us & may you rest in peace.
oopsJeanne
I haven’t seen any tributes from Mike Walsh. Has anyone else? He may be hard to contact these days. The two worked so well together on screen.
I was thinking about her tonight and memories from seeing her on beauty and the beast and I remember a topic and when the world would end and I remember Jeanie saying that she believed the world would end in 2020.
Her world has and ours has lost a bright light..
Such a sad condition, that takes away so much of our loved ones character. Even someone as exuberant as Jeanie. So quintessentially Australian. We have missed you for years, may you now rest in peace.
Didn’t she also used to say honestly and truly a lot?
Rip
If I could draw a daily cartoon it would have Jeanie greeting St Peter at the Pearly Gates with a “Hello Dahhhling!” Vale Jeanie.
I read that Jeanne Little coined the phrase “Hello, Darling!”. I couldn’t find the history or origin and it’s a common phrase, but if that is the case that it was coined by Jeanne Little, it’s quite significant as the term is famous globally in LGBT+ literature, music, television and art.
It was her catchphrase, it doesn’t mean she is responsible for invention or global use.
Daily Mail wrote “She also coined the popular phrase, ‘hello darling'” but it should be said that I do often see mistakes in their writings.
It was a normal greeting in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, just not so drawn out and exaggerated 🙂
Such an incredible bright soul. Always full of energy and love. May she finally be at rest.
May she Rest In Peace.
Trully a star in our industry.
Such a legend. This news is really sad, but a relief at the same time, because she is no longer suffering. Rest In Peace beautiful Jeanne xxx 🕊️
Such a fun lady…..so sad…thank you for entertaining us and condolences to your family .
This news brought tears to my eyes. Jeanne was a one off! This lady could put a smile on the dial just by showing up on a TV show. Her quirky look and sound and spirit made her a household name and face for decades. I feel so much for her family as they had been losing her for years due to the condition.
Jeanne Little was a star, with a capital S. She shone so brightly.