The Australian entertainment industry is paying tribute to Neighbours and Prisoner actor Janet Andrewartha, who has died aged 72.

She was best known for playing Lyn Scully in Neighbours, Reb Keane in Prisoner: Cell Block H and had recently appeared in television thriller Fake.

Social media accounts for Neighbours confirmed her death on Sunday night.

“Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha,” the program said in a statement.

“Janet will be remembered for her wide body of work.”

Andrewartha starred in Australian television and theatre productions since the early 1980s, returning to Neighbours several times after her initial seven-year stint.

Her last acting credits include the Asher Keddie-led psychological thriller series Fake and the SBS drama Safe Home.

Actress Jackie Woodburne, known for playing Susan Kennedy on the iconic soap, said she would miss her friend of 45 years.