Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Daniel MacPherson gushes about his wife Zoe Ventoura in Who's Most Beautiful People Issue

Daniel MacPherson gushes about his wife Zoe Ventoura in Who's Most Beautiful People Issue

REVEALED: What Peter Timbs from Big Brother looks like now

REVEALED: What Peter Timbs from Big Brother looks like now

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff debuts a natural new look

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff debuts a natural new look

The Last Word with Anna Heinrich

The Last Word with Anna Heinrich

{headline}

{headline}

Aussie star Adam Demos' UnReal shock: 'He's not as smart as he thinks he is'

Aussie star Adam Demos' UnReal shock: 'He's not as smart as he thinks he is'

7 News reporter Chris Reason shares intimate moments from the Thai Cave Rescue scene

7 News reporter Chris Reason shares intimate moments from the Thai Cave Rescue scene

EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Noll apologises after sexist on stage rant goes viral

EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Noll apologises after sexist on stage rant goes viral

{headline}

{headline}

Ninja Warrior host Bec Madden shares her happy baby joy as she welcomes daughter Ruby

Ninja Warrior host Bec Madden shares her happy baby joy as she welcomes daughter Ruby

British backpacker Vasilisa Komarova breaks her silence after choosing to stay in Bolivia to watch her rapists be prosecuted

British backpacker Vasilisa Komarova breaks her silence after choosing to stay in Bolivia to watch her rapists be prosecuted

Eurydice Dixon's friends pay tribute to the late comedian was raped and murdered in a Melbourne park

Eurydice Dixon's friends pay tribute to the late comedian was raped and murdered in a Melbourne park

EXCLUSIVE: Sunrise star Samantha Armytage hits back at bullies

EXCLUSIVE: Sunrise star Samantha Armytage hits back at bullies

Queer Eye's Fab Five chats to WHO

Queer Eye's Fab Five chats to WHO

David’s shock exit from House Rules

David’s shock exit from House Rules

EXCLUSIVE: Stan Walker opens up about his cancer battle

EXCLUSIVE: Stan Walker opens up about his cancer battle

  1. Home
  2. Entertainment

EXCLUSIVE: Zoë Ventoura says 'Dan's my biggest fan'

The much-loved actress reveals the real reason she’s returned to the small screen - by Jackie Brygel
  • 12 Apr 2019

Zoë Ventoura is one of those performers who never fails to leave a lasting impression. Almost a decade on, the 37-year-old’s final devastating moments as the beloved Mel in Packed to the Rafters remains one of the most memorable death scenes in the history of Australian television.

Yet when the cameras aren’t rolling on her latest high-profile film or TV project, Perth-born Ventoura has been quietly living her best life in Los Angeles with her Australian husband of more than three years, fellow actor and presenter Daniel MacPherson, whom she met on the drama Wild Boys. And, yes, she is counting her blessings.

EXCLUSIVE: Zoë Ventoura says 'Dan's my biggest fan'
Getty Images

As Ventoura tells WHO: “Australia is always home, because this is where we’re from and where our families and our friends are, but we do love LA too. We’re lucky enough that we get a nice balance.”

Indeed, Ventoura is currently back on home turf, to tackle a major new role as Dr Alex Nielson in the long-running weeknight series Home and Away. It’s an opportunity, says the star, that simply “ticked all the boxes”. WHO sat down with the actress for a candid chat about all the things.

How long have you and Dan been based in Los Angeles?

How long have you and Dan been based in Los Angeles? We’re back and forth, obviously, because there’s always work here and elsewhere but we’ve been there for about six years. We’ve grown to really love it. Where we live out in Santa Monica we are by the beach because we’ve found, as Australians, that we kind of just gravitated towards the water.

zoe_ventoura View Profile
1,301 likes - View Post on Instagram
Hate a photo booth 🙄😉 but love celebrating our friends @kurt_kulibab and @jacquemckenzie who met at our engagement party!! #kulibabwedding #MacCupids #yourewelcomeguys 😜❤️

Is Dan still over in LA?

No, he’s home at the moment. He’s not far off starting the next season of his job, so he’s taking a bit of a break and starting to prepare for that [American-British military-spy thriller Strike Back, in which MacPherson plays US Sergeant Samuel Wyatt]. It’s been nice for both of us to be home and spend time with the family for a little while. The life of any actor is very transient and you have to really be ready to be wherever you need to be for the work. Obviously, coordinating with a husband and wife who are both actors means we’re just always moving around a lot.

Is life as an actor in LA very different to that back home?

It’s not that different, to be honest. California has a pretty similar lifestyle to Australia – I think that’s why Australians are quite happy to live over there. It’s sunny and it’s beachy. But the thing over there is that, even if you’re not working, you’re quite busy because there’s always auditions and meetings and classes. But whether you’re on set here or there, I find that all sets are pretty universal.

zoe_ventoura View Profile
2,384 likes - View Post on Instagram
Another @gdayusa Gala with my love, celebrating the inspiring honorees, catching up with old friends and meeting lovely new ones. Huge thanks to @didusting and @abramovicm from @thehellodarlingsalon for the gorgeous hair and make up #ididnotwakeuplikethis and @misshannahmarshall for lending me the cute and comfy jumpsuit 🖤

As new emergency doctor Alex in Home and Away, this will be the first time in your career playing a doctor. Have you been busy practising the medical terminology?

Obviously, things come up in the script and the first thing you do is look them up so you know what you’re talking about. It’s good because I get to learn a lot along the way. A couple of weeks ago, before I started filming, I spent a day in the [NSW] Nepean Hospital’s emergency department and just had a look and got to shadow an emergency doctor for a couple of hours. It was really helpful for me to get the vibe of what an emergency department feels like.

To read the rest of the article, go to this week's WHO magazine. 

f
  • Entertainment
  • TV
Jackie Brygel
Jackie Brygel is a writer for WHO magazine.

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Daniel MacPherson gushes about his wife Zoe Ventoura in Who's Most Beautiful People Issue

Daniel MacPherson gushes about his wife Zoe Ventoura in Who's Most Beautiful People Issue

REVEALED: What Peter Timbs from Big Brother looks like now

REVEALED: What Peter Timbs from Big Brother looks like now

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff debuts a natural new look

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff debuts a natural new look

The Last Word with Anna Heinrich

The Last Word with Anna Heinrich

{headline}

{headline}

Aussie star Adam Demos' UnReal shock: 'He's not as smart as he thinks he is'

Aussie star Adam Demos' UnReal shock: 'He's not as smart as he thinks he is'

7 News reporter Chris Reason shares intimate moments from the Thai Cave Rescue scene

7 News reporter Chris Reason shares intimate moments from the Thai Cave Rescue scene

EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Noll apologises after sexist on stage rant goes viral

EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Noll apologises after sexist on stage rant goes viral

{headline}

{headline}

Ninja Warrior host Bec Madden shares her happy baby joy as she welcomes daughter Ruby

Ninja Warrior host Bec Madden shares her happy baby joy as she welcomes daughter Ruby

British backpacker Vasilisa Komarova breaks her silence after choosing to stay in Bolivia to watch her rapists be prosecuted

British backpacker Vasilisa Komarova breaks her silence after choosing to stay in Bolivia to watch her rapists be prosecuted

Eurydice Dixon's friends pay tribute to the late comedian was raped and murdered in a Melbourne park

Eurydice Dixon's friends pay tribute to the late comedian was raped and murdered in a Melbourne park

EXCLUSIVE: Sunrise star Samantha Armytage hits back at bullies

EXCLUSIVE: Sunrise star Samantha Armytage hits back at bullies

Queer Eye's Fab Five chats to WHO

Queer Eye's Fab Five chats to WHO

David’s shock exit from House Rules

David’s shock exit from House Rules

EXCLUSIVE: Stan Walker opens up about his cancer battle

EXCLUSIVE: Stan Walker opens up about his cancer battle

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

Shop This Offer
FREE Neoprene Tote