Vale: Miranda Fryer

Former child actor Miranda Fryer, best known for Neighbours, has died, aged just 34 years old.

She tragically passed away in her sleep on January 6, her family confirmed.

As an infant Fryer was first to play the role of Sky Mangel, screen daughter of Joe (Mark Little) & Kerry (Linda Hartley) -it was later recast as a teen with Stephanie McIntosh.

She played the role for 3 years from 1989, aged just 18 months when she began, becoming the first child actor to ever contracted to the show. Her outgoing nature made her popular with cast & crew, and would continue through her short life.

‘MJ’ only recently completed a degree in Nursing at Monash University during the pandemic, when most of her studying was limited to zoom lectures. She was granted a post-graduate year position at Monash Hospital in the Neuro-Science department, and was contemplating a Masters degree in that field.

She married her long time fiance Arthur Pothitis in November 2020 in a beach ceremony in Aspendale.

In a statement her family said, “True soulmates, Miranda and Arthur were making plans to start their family, when one day last week she went to sleep and never woke up. We do not know why. She had had some health issues with her heart, maybe her beautiful persona was just too good for this world of ours. We, who all loved her so much, shall treasure the memories she has left us with and mourn our loss forever.

“A beautiful child, stunning teenager, beautiful inside, and out… a woman, with so much love and happiness given and received. So many friends, so much still to offer this world, gone.”

Longtime casting director Jan Russ told TV Tonight, “I feel so very sad to lose one of my cast and especially one so young as Miranda who spent her very young years on the show …I love them like my own and feel the loss when they pass.”

Miranda’s family are awaiting a Coroner’s Report.