Marise Wipani has passed away.
On June 6th, the star known as Hercules is reported to have passed away, coinciding with what would have been her 61st birthday, based on a statement posted on her Facebook page. The reason for her demise remains undisclosed.
The article mentioned that the late actress, originally from New Zealand, was surrounded by loved ones, including family and friends, during her final moments. It also contained a message where she referenced the 1989 movie “Driving Miss Daisy.
“I have shuffled off this mortal coil,” the message read. “Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!!”
Initially, Wipani gained notice when she competed in the Miss New Zealand pageant back in 1983; although she didn’t take home the crown, she later admitted feeling grateful for losing to Lorraine Downes, who eventually won the Miss Universe title that year.
In her June 2011 interview with The New Zealand Herald, she expressed that it would have been a terrifying scenario for her. She went on to say that she had narrowly escaped from something that was far beyond her preferences… Simply put, it was definitely not her taste.
Later on, Wipani chose to focus on acting, starting off by portraying diverse characters within “The Billy T. James Show”. Following her first appearance on the big screen in “Came a Hot Friday”, she went on to secure roles in TV films such as “Mark II” and “Hercules in the Labyrinth of the Minotaur”. The latter role eventually led to a part in the series “Hercules: The Epic Journey”.
Following stints on television shows like “Soldier Soldier” and “Shortland Street”, Wipani opted for a more tranquil existence, working at a neighborhood cafe, as reported by the “Herald”. Despite this, she occasionally took on acting roles, but expressed regret over her financial management during her early years in the industry.
She expressed regret in the interview, saying ‘I wish I had been wealthy and wish I’d heeded advice to put my money aside.’ However, she admitted that she would brush off such suggestions, responding with ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ but never followed through.
Still, Wipani added, “It’s been fun.”
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2025-06-12 04:47