‘Beloved’ NCIS: Los Angeles Actress Dies ‘Unexpectedly’ at Age 45
Australian actress rachael Carpani, best known for her role as Jodi Fountain McLeod in the long-running TV series “McLeod’s Daughters,” has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 45. Her family announced her death on instagram, revealing that she had been battling a chronic illness. Carpani’s career also included appearances on American shows such as “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “The Glades.” Despite her recognition in Australia, Carpani moved to the United states to avoid being typecast. In 2021, she had serious health issues requiring surgery, but it is unclear if these were connected to her recent passing. Her funeral will be private, and the family has requested privacy during this arduous time.
As Hollywood still grapples with the tragic murder of famed director Rob Reiner and his wife, more tragic news broke early Monday.
According to Deadline, actress Rachael Carpani’s family revealed that she had passed away “unexpectedly” at just 45.
Her family confirmed in an Instagram post that Carpani passed away following a battle with a “chronic illness.”
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“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December,” the late Sunday post read.
“The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends,” the Instagram post further noted.
It added: “The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.”
Carpani’s filmography includes the long-running “NCIS: Los Angeles” series, in which she appeared in 2009, IMDb reported.
In 2010, Carpani appeared in multiple episodes for the A&E network’s “The Glades” series, a show similar to NCIS in that it was a serialized crime drama.
While Rachael Carpani may not be a household name in the States, that was almost by design for the Australian actress.
Carpani’s most memorable role came in the Australian drama series “McLeod’s Daughters.”
The actress portrayed Jodi Fountain McLeod in 179 episodes from 2001-2009. Aaccording to Deadline, she didn’t want to be pigeonholed into one beloved role her entire career, so she moved to the United States to avoid being known as Jodi Fountain McLeod forever.
NCIS Los Angeles, Home and Away, Actress Rachael Carpani has died unexpectedly at age 45. pic.twitter.com/GHIpYV23ZV
— music data (@music__data) December 15, 2025
Deadline also noted that Carpani had some health issues related to her abdomen in 2021.
It would eventually necessitate surgery for an undisclosed illness. It’s unclear whether those 2021 health issues are related to her recent death.
“I was admitted to emergency with acute abdominal pain just over a week ago and spent a few days in the ICU. Was then moved to the surgical ward,” Caprani posted in 2021, according to News.com.au.
She added at the time: “Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!!) and allowing myself to get quite ill.”
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