By Saimi Jeong and Ava Benny-Morrison
Australian singer and actress Maria Venuti has reportedly been taken to Royal North Shore Hospital after suffering a stroke.
Police turned up at the 75-year-old's Gladesville home in Sydney's inner west at 9am on Saturday after the cabaret performer found a stranger on her property.
The 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for a mental health assessment.
At the same time, Ms Venuti was rushed to the same hospital after reportedly suffering a stroke. She remains in intensive care.
Hospitalised: Maria Venuti.
Susie Smither, president of the Australian Ladies' Variety Association, posted on the ALVA Facebook page with the news.
"The doctors need 24 hours to ascertain what has happened and to come to decisions on what needs to be done," Ms Smither wrote.
Ms Venuti has worked in the entertainment industry for 50 years, having appeared on stage, television and cinema. She starred in the film Fat Pizza Vs. Housos, which was produced, directed and written by Logie Award winner Paul Fenech.
She is known for her charity work, with involvement in Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check in 2014 and raising awareness of stroke with the Stroke Foundation.
Ms Smither said Bianca, Maria Venuti's daughter, was at the hospital with her mother.
"It's come as a shock, very surprising, God love her," Ms Smither said.
"We're hoping for a good result and that it's not too bad," she said. "We just need prayers."
At home with Maria Venuti
In 2013, Fairfax Media's Shelly Horton stepped into the gold and red, leopard print glamour of entertainer Maria Venuti's home.
With AAP