
Noni Hazlehurst: Biography, Career, and What She’s Doing Now
There are few Australian entertainers who have managed to stay as beloved across generations as Noni Hazlehurst. From waking up preschoolers on Play School to hosting family favourites on Better Homes and Gardens, her face has been a constant on Australian screens since the 1970s. As she steps back into the spotlight with her memoir Dropping the Mask and the return of SBS’s Every Family has a Secret, this article traces her remarkable journey and answers the questions fans are asking right now.
Born: 17 August 1953 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Known For: Candy, Little Fish, June Again ·
Recent Project: Every Family has a Secret (SBS) ·
Residence: Brisbane, Queensland ·
Career Span: 1970s–present
Quick snapshot
- Born 17 August 1953 in Melbourne, Victoria (IMDb (film database))
- Hosted Play School for 24 years and Better Homes and Gardens for 10 years (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Married actor John Jarratt from 1979 to 1990 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Her current relationship status beyond her past marriage (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Exact net worth figures — public estimates vary widely (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Whether she plays the piano, a skill often rumoured among fans (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1978–2001: Play School presenter (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 2016: Inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- October 2024: Memoir Dropping the Mask extract published (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Continuing as host of Every Family has a Secret on SBS (returned October 2023) (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
- Promoting her memoir Dropping the Mask through national talks and interviews (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
- Further stage and screen roles expected in 2025 (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
A quick look at the numbers that define her career shows the breadth of her output:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leonie Elva ‘Noni’ Hazlehurst |
| Birth Date | 17 August 1953 |
| Birthplace | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Actress, director, writer, presenter, broadcaster |
| Known For | Candy (2006), Little Fish (2005), June Again (2021) |
| Residence | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Current Project | Every Family has a Secret (SBS) |
The pattern: Her career spans children’s television, lifestyle hosting, and dramatic film roles — a rare breadth in Australian entertainment.
Does Noni Hazlehurst have a partner?
Who was Noni Hazlehurst married to?
- Noni Hazlehurst was married to Australian actor John Jarratt from 1979 to 1990 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
- She has a son with Jarratt, whose identity she has kept largely private (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
Hazlehurst has chosen to keep her romantic life out of the public eye after her divorce — a decision that leaves fans guessing but protects her family’s privacy.
Has Noni Hazlehurst remarried?
According to publicly available records, including biographical summaries from Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), she has not remarried since her split from Jarratt. No recent credible source reports a current spouse or long-term partner.
The implication: Her personal life remains her own — and that appears to be exactly how she wants it.
Is Noni Hazlehurst married now?
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s current relationship status?
As of late 2024, Hazlehurst is not married. She has not publicly disclosed any current partner, and her Wikipedia biography lists no spouse after Jarratt (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
Why this matters: For a public figure whose early life was closely tied to a high-profile marriage, the absence of a partner story is itself a statement — one that shifts the focus back to her craft.
Where does Noni Hazlehurst live now?
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s home in Brisbane?
Hazlehurst owns a waterfront home in Brisbane’s bayside, which she bought as what local media described as a bargain purchase during the pandemic. The property has been featured in lifestyle segments and offers her a quiet retreat from the Sydney and Melbourne media scenes (Domain (Australian property media)).
She often posts about the view from her deck on social media, giving fans a rare glimpse into her off-screen life.
The catch: Living in Brisbane means she travels frequently for work, but she has said the slower pace helps her recharge between projects.
What is Noni Hazlehurst doing now?
What TV show does Noni Hazlehurst host?
- She hosts the SBS genealogy series Every Family has a Secret, which returned for a new season on 19 October 2023 (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster)).
- The show helps Australians uncover hidden family stories, with Hazlehurst as the warm guide.
Is Noni Hazlehurst still acting?
- Yes. She starred in the 2021 film June Again, which holds a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
- In 2020 she performed the one-woman play MOTHER at HOTA on the Gold Coast and QPAC in Brisbane (The Wheeler Centre (Melbourne literary centre) via Instagram).
- A new memoir, Dropping the Mask, was released in October 2024, with an extract published by ABC News (Australian public broadcaster).
The pattern: She is balancing TV hosting, occasional film roles, and live storytelling — a portfolio that keeps her relevant without the grind of a full-time acting schedule.
What nationality is Noni Hazlehurst?
Where was Noni Hazlehurst born?
- Noni Hazlehurst is Australian, born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 17 August 1953 (IMDb (film database)).
- She holds Australian citizenship and has lived most of her life in the country, currently based in Brisbane.
The trade-off: Though she could easily have pursued international work, her career choices have been deeply rooted in Australian productions — a decision that has made her a national treasure but limited her global profile.
Timeline
- 17 August 1953: Born in Melbourne, Victoria (IMDb (film database))
- 1970s: Began acting career on stage and screen (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1978–2001: Presenter on Play School (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1979–1990: Married to actor John Jarratt (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1995–2005: Co-host of Better Homes and Gardens (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 2005: Appeared in film Little Fish (IMDb (film database))
- 2006: Appeared in film Candy (IMDb (film database))
- 2016: Inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 2020: Performed MOTHER at HOTA and QPAC (The Wheeler Centre (Melbourne literary centre) via Instagram)
- 2021: Starred in June Again (100% Rotten Tomatoes) (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator))
- 19 October 2023: Every Family has a Secret returns on SBS (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
- October 2024: Memoir Dropping the Mask released; extract in ABC News (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (17 August 1953, Melbourne) — IMDb (film database)
- Australian nationality
- Filmography includes Candy, Little Fish, June Again, Ladies in Black (IMDb (film database))
- Hosting Every Family has a Secret on SBS (SBS (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
- Residence in Brisbane bayside — Domain (Australian property media)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status beyond past marriage
- Exact net worth (estimates range widely, no verified source)
- Details of her reported piano-playing ability
In her own words
“I’m absolutely thrilled to bring MOTHER back to Qld after its Brisbane season was cancelled due to COVID.”
— Noni Hazlehurst, announcing MOTHER performances in 2020 (The Wheeler Centre (Melbourne literary centre) via Instagram)
“Presented by beloved Australian actor, presenter and screen legend Noni Hazlehurst, Every Family has a Secret returns to SBS.”
— Promotional post from Hazlehurst’s Facebook page, 2023 (Noni Hazlehurst Official Facebook page)
What it all means
Noni Hazlehurst has proven that a career can thrive on versatility — children’s TV, lifestyle hosting, dramatic film roles, and now memoir and live performance. For Australian audiences, she represents a rare continuity: a face that has aged gracefully with them from the 1970s into the 2020s. For the industry, her ability to pivot without losing authenticity is the real lesson.
Like fellow Australian actress Catherine McClements, Noni Hazlehurst has built a career spanning stage and screen in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Noni Hazlehurst?
She was born on 17 August 1953, making her 71 years old as of late 2024 (IMDb (film database)).
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly verified. Estimates vary widely and no credible source provides a confirmed figure.
Does Noni Hazlehurst have children?
Yes, she has a son with ex-husband John Jarratt (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s role in A Place to Call Home?
She played the recurring character Elizabeth Bligh in the Australian drama series (IMDb (film database)).
Is Noni Hazlehurst on Instagram?
Yes, she is active under the handle @nonihazlehurst (Instagram (social media platform)).
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s height?
Her height is commonly listed as 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m), though not officially confirmed.
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s most popular movie?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, June Again (2021) holds a 100% approval rating, making it her most acclaimed film (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
What is Noni Hazlehurst’s connection to John Jarratt?
They were married from 1979 to 1990 and have one son together (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
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