Madeleine West Biography

Madeleine West (born 26 July 1979) is an Australian actress from Melbourne, Australia. Known for her TV roles, having played Dee Bliss on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 2000"2003, high-class escort Mel on Satisfaction from 2007 to 2010, and as Dimity on House Husbands since 2012.

Early life

Born Melanie Ann Weston, West was raised in Woodend. She attended Woodend Primary School and eight high schools because her family followed her stepfather's engineering work around the country. West began performing in front of family and friends at an early age. In 1992, she entered the New South Wales Talented Child Drama Ensemble and later studied at Swinburne University of Technology, Tamworth Conservatorium of Music, and Riverina Drama Ensemble.

Career

After commencing a degree in Law at Deakin University, West deferred her studies indefinitely to turn to acting. In 1999, West was awarded the 'Be Your Best' Performance Scholarship from the Australian Drug Foundation. West's amateur theatre credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, Night Reflections, Theatre in the Raw, Bye Bye Birdie, and Snow Queen.

West joined the cast of Neighbours as Dee Bliss in 1999. Two years later, she was nominated for the "Most Popular New Female Talent" Logie Award. In March 2003, it was announced West was to leave Neighbours after her contract expired. She filmed her final scenes in early April.

In 2011, West joined the cast of Winners & Losers in the recurring role of Deidre Gross. West previously turned down a role with the show due to being heavily pregnant with her third child. In 2013, West began appearing in series two of House Husbands as Dimity.

Personal life

West has been in a relationship with Shannon Bennett, a restaurateur, since 2005. The couple have four children together; Phoenix (born December 2005), Hendrix (born April 2008), Xascha (born July 2010) and Xanthe (born 2012). West commented that the Xs in the names did not start out as intentional.

In July 2002, West was hit by a bus in Sydney. The actress was also robbed while she was unconscious. West needed reconstructive plastic surgery and had to be written out of Neighbours. She returned to the show a month later.

Filmography

• The Condemned (2007) " as Sarah
• Last Man Standing, (2005, Season 1, Episode 16) " as Janie
• You and Your Stupid Mate (2005) " as Emma
• Hercules (2005) " as Hippolyta
• Big Reef " as Casey Lane
• Stingers " "The River of No Return" " as Rochelle
• Neighbours " as Dione 'Dee' Bliss
• Satisfaction (2007"2010) " as Mel
• Underbelly (2008) " as Danielle McGuire
• Canal Road (2008)
• Anti-Theft " as Kelly Born
• House Husbands (2012-present) as Dimity