Libby Kennedy

Libby Kennedy
Kym Valentine as Libby Kennedy (2009)
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Kym Valentine Michala Banas (2008)
Duration	1994–2005, 2007–2011, 2014
First appearance	3 October 1994
Last appearance	26 June 2014
Introduced by	Ian Bradley (1994) Ric Pellizzeri (2007) Jason Herbison (2014)
Book appearances	Facing Tomorrow
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Student at Erinsborough High (1994–96) Newsagency assistant (1994) Journalist (1994–2001, 2004) Student at Eden University (1997–2001) Barmaid (1998–2000) Waitress (1999) Carpenter's Mechanics owner (2002–07) Teacher (2003, 2007–)
Home	Shanghai
Family Kennedy Father Karl Kennedy Mother Susan Kennedy Brothers Malcolm Kennedy Billy Kennedy Zeke Kinski (step) Sisters Katya Kinski (step) Rachel Kinski (step) Half-sisters Holly Hoyland Husband Drew Kirk (2001–02) Daniel Fitzgerald (2009–10) Sons Ben Kirk Grandfathers Ronald Davies-Smythe Tom Kennedy Grandmothers Molly Kennedy Grace Smith Aunts Liz Conway Carmel Tyler Nephews Jackson Kennedy Nieces Susannah Kennedy First cousins Darcy Tyler Elly Conway

Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy (previously Kennedy-Fitzgerald) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed on 5 November 2004, returning briefly for a single episode on 27 July 2005, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy and the mother to a son, Ben. Libby's storylines have included being involved in a motorbike accident, the loss of her husband Drew, giving birth to Ben, getting married to Daniel Fitzgerald and subsequently separating from him. In 2008, Valentine was forced to take sick leave for one month and executive producer, Susan Bower, made the decision to temporarily recast McLeod's Daughters actress Michala Banas in the role for a month. Valentine took leave from Neighbours in 2010 due to ill health and returned to the set in January 2011. A few months later, Valentine took indefinite leave from Neighbours to focus on her health. In March 2014, it was confirmed that Valentine would be returning to Neighbours. She made her on-screen return on 11 June 2014.

In 1994, Neighbours' storyliners decided to introduce the "solid" Kennedy family. They felt that they needed to take the show back to its roots when it seemed that all the houses on Ramsay Street were populated with misfits and distant relatives. Kym Valentine left Sydney to join the cast of Neighbours in 1994 when she was 17 years old. She was given the role of the Kennedys' only daughter, Libby. Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne were cast as her on-screen parents and Benjamin McNair and Jesse Spencer were cast as her two brothers.

Valentine decided to depart Neighbours in 2004, so she could pursue other acting roles and spend time with her daughter. However, she did make a brief return in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary episode, "Friends for Twenty Years". In 2007, Neighbours suffered a decline in ratings and plans were made to take storylines "back to basics", so they would be less controversial and focus more on relationships and family dynamics. It was then announced that Valentine would be reprising her role of Libby. Of her comeback Valentine said "I really felt like I was coming home and it was very easy to slip back into the role of Libby, she's like an old friend. Plus she was older and the writers were able to do a lot more with her so it was a great time to return." Valentine initially intended to return to Neighbours for a brief time.