Joy Dunstan (born 20 July 1951) is an Australian retired film and television actress. She is best remembered as the teenage star of

Chris Löfvén Chris Löfvén (born 4 April 1948) is an Australian film maker. He is best known for directing the feature film ''Oz (1976 film), Oz'' (1976) and for directing a number of video clips, including "Eagle Rock (song), Eagle Rock". He started making ...

1976 Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 ...

film '' Oz'', a modern-day remake of the 1939 film '' The Wizard of Oz'', with

Graham Matters Graham Matters (19 July 1948 - 7 May 2021) was an Australian actor and musician. He appeared in the 1976 film '' Oz'' as Wally, the Wizard, record salesman and tram conductor. He was one of the original Australian cast members of ''The Rocky Hor ...

Bruce Spence Bruce Spence (born 17 September 1945) is a New Zealand–Australian actor. Spence has amassed over 100 film and television credits and has also acted in theatre. Biography Spence won an AFI Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1971 comedy ...

Gary Waddell Gary Waddell is an Australian actor. He was nominated for the 2012 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in '' The King is Dead!'' and for an AFI award for his role in 1975 film ''Pure Shit''. Filmography TV *'' Old School ...

, and Robin Ramsay. The then 25-year-old former school teacher and part-time

cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, or a nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining o ...

dancer had been working in a

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

act at Melbourne's ''Flying Trapeze Cafe'' when she was discovered by director Chris Löfvén. Löfvén, in offering the part to Dunstan, had said to her "Come with me and I'll make you a star". Dunstan replied "I don't believe it but yes". She had no prior experience in film or photographic modeling prior to the film. She also had minor roles in the 1983 television film '' A Descant for Gossips'' and in the cult soap opera ''

Prisoner A prisoner (also known as an inmate or detainee) is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement, captivity, or forcible restraint. The term applies particularly to serving a prison sentence in a prison. ...

'' where she portrayed two characters, '' Penny Seymour'' in 1982 and '' Marnie Taylor'' in 1985. She also had a very minor role in a 1985 episode of ''Neighbours'', which was her last performance, with her reportedly "having grown disillusioned with the business", and she retired soon after. According to a Film Buffs Podcast interview on 21 November 2006, Dunstan currently lives in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. During that interview songwriter and musician Gary Young discussed his memories of working with Dunstan on the film. Young also claimed that following the film, his band the Rockin' Emus released their sole album with one of the songs he had written, ''Beautiful Joy'', having been about the actress.

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* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dunstan, Joy 1951 births Living people Australian film actresses Australian television actresses Actresses from Melbourne