Camilla Ah Kin Memorial: stage and screen actress

JamesJune 19, 2024

Camilla Ah Kin Memorial: stage and screen actress

Renowned stage and screen artist Camilla Ah Kin, known for Here Come the Habibs and Holding the Man, has died after a long illness. She was 58.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) confirmed the news on its social media channels yesterday afternoon, noting that the “director, teacher, mentor, workshopper, policy innovator and highly skilled performer” was “much admired by her peers.”

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in acting, Ah Kin went on to complete a Master of Postgraduate Research at the Centre for Performance Studies at the University of Sydney, achieving a High Distinction for her research.

After appearing in episodes of Halifax FP, Blue Heelers and Murder Call in the late 90s, she joined the main cast of Going Home, an SBS drama set on a the nightly interurban commuter train aired from 2000 to 2001.

After a recurring role in All Saints, as well as smaller roles in Stupid Stupid Man and Rake, Ah Kin made her feature film debut alongside Ryan Corr and Sarah Snook in the 2015 romantic drama Holding the Man.

A year later, she appeared on screen as matriarch Mariam Habib in Nine’s sitcom Here Come the Habibs, receiving praise for her dry delivery. Her recent credits include Thomas Wilson-White’s The Greenhouse and ABC’s miniseries Wakefield.

The lovely, kind and formidable Camilla Ah Kin has died after an illness. Sending love to her friends, family and colleagues and the #MEAAEquity family. I served on the @withmeaa board with Camilla. https://t.co/YQacGpwWZC
— Karen Percy (@PercyKaren) June 10, 2023

Ah Kin’s theatre career has been equally varied, including performances with the Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Belvoir St, Griffin Theatre, WA State Theatre Company, Sport For Jove and Darlinghurst Theatre Company, among others.

She is also known for her active involvement in the performing arts community, having been a committee member of the MEAA NSW Branch, a long-time Equity delegate to the Federal Council and NPC member, an Equity NSW organiser and a MEAA board member.

Last month, she was awarded the MEAA Gold Badge of Honour, with the organisation’s Equity Foundation praising her for bringing “integrity, rigour and sharp intelligence” to the table during her three decades as a member.

“At any meeting, you want Camilla’s nod of approval when you make a point; it’s her strategic ideas that have worked; “It was her passionate, fiery advocacy that inspired her comrades to make better decisions,” the organization said. “With kindness and deep love, she held her Equity family accountable.”