Marlene Kratz
| Marlene Kratz | |||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Moya O'Sullivan | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1994–97, 2005 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 5 July 1994 | ||||||||||
| Last appearance | 27 July 2005 | ||||||||||
| Introduced by | Stanley Walsh (1994) Ric Pellizerri (2005) |
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| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||
| Occupation | Cosmetics salesperson Bric-a-brac shop owner Receptionist |
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| Husband | Hector Kratz |
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| Sons | Patrick Kratz |
| Daughters | Cheryl Stark |
| Grandsons |
Sam Kratz Darren Stark Brett Stark |
| Granddaughters | Janine Stark Danni Stark Lolly Allen |
Marlene Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Moya O'Sullivan. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 5 July 1994 and remained in the show until 14 October 1997, when the character went on a three-month cruise and never returned. Marlene was an elderly lady who owned a bric-a-brac store and was obsessed with Elvis Presley. In 2005, O'Sullivan reprised her role of Marlene for Neighbours' 20th anniversary. The character revealed she is still sailing the seas.
In August 1997, Jason Herbison of Inside Soap reported O'Sullivan was to leave Neighbours. A show spokesperson said "It's a real shame because Moya is one of the most popular members of the cast. The powers that be obviously feel her role has come to an end." Herbison thought O'Sullivan's departure had something to do with the return of Madge (Anne Charleston) and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), who previously lived in Marlene's house. In April 2005, Kris Green of Digital Spy confirmed O'Sullivan would be reprising her role of Marlene to join the many ex-cast members returning for the Neighbours 20th anniversary special episode.
Shortly before she arrived on screen, Marlene purchased Number 24. She sent her grandson, Sam (Richard Grieve), along to inspect the house hoping he would also meet his cousins who were living in Ramsay Street. Marlene eventually arrived in Erinsborugh and sought a reconciliation with her daughter, Cheryl (Caroline Gillmer), who she had left when she was eleven. Josephine Monroe, author of Neighbours: the first 10 years, said Cheryl had "demonized her mother in her mind" and wanted nothing to do with her. However, as she got to know Marlene a little better, Cheryl admitted she quite liked her although she could bring herself to call her "mum". Marlene sold cosmetics, before opening a bric-a-brac store. She liked to invent a background story for all the items that passed through the "wacky" shop. Monroe described Marlene as a bit scatty and always on for a scam or a bet.
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