| Birth date | 1 December 1960 (age 65) |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Alma mater | Sacré Cœur School, Monash University/ |
| Occupation | Actress · producer · comedienne · writer |
| Known for | Kath and Kim |
| Spouse | John Denton |
Jane Turner (born 1 December 1960) is an Australian actress, comedian and Logie Award-winning comedy series creator and screenwriter. She is widely known for her role as Kath in the TV sitcom Kath and Kim.
Career
Jane Turner, although best known as a comedy performer, made her acting debut in the internationally renowned TV cult drama series Prisoner in a 15-episode guest role.
She is notable for numerous comedy roles including the sketch comedy programs The D-Generation, Fast Forward, Full Frontal, Big Girl's Blouse and Something Stupid.[1]
In the 2000s Turner has received accolades for her performance in Kath & Kim, an ABC Television (later Seven Network) comedy series which she created, wrote, produced, and starred in, with her longtime friend and collaborator, Gina Riley. Kath & Kim became the most successful ABC syndicated show in Australia.[2]
Turner reprised the role in the 2005 telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code and the 2012 feature film Kath & Kimderella.[3][better source needed]
Turner made her West End theatrical debut in the Australian hit play Holding the Man at London's Trafalgar Studios in April 2010.[4]
In 2022, Turner and the cast of Kath and Kim produced a special that released on channel 7. The special included interviews, new skits and behind the scenes insights to the famous TV show.[5]
Personal life
Turner attended Sacré Cœur School in Glen Iris, Victoria, and later studied law at Monash University.[6] Turner graduated from Monash with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.[7]
She is married to lawyer John Denton[8] and they have three children including model Anna Denton[9] and actor Nicholas Denton.[citation needed]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–84 | Prisoner | Belinda Johns | Seasons 5−6 (recurring; 15 episodes) |
| 1987 | The D-Generation | Various characters | Season 2 & Seven Network specials (8 episodes) + Writer (7 episodes) |
| 1989–92 | Fast Forward | Various characters | Seasons 1–4 (lead; 90 episodes) + Writer (90 episodes) |
| 1992 | Bligh | Mad Lottie | Season 1 (guest; 1 episode) |
| 1993 | Full Frontal | Various characters | Season 1 (guest; 13 episodes) |
| The Making of Nothing | Pasha | Television special | |
| A Royal Commission Into the Australian Economy | Court Official / Travel Agent | Television special | |
| 1994 | Big Girl's Blouse | Various characters | Season 1 (main; 9 episodes) + Writer & producer (9 episodes) |
| 1998 | Something Stupid | Various characters | Season 1 (main; 6 episodes) + Writer & producer (6 episodes) |
| 2002–07 | Kath & Kim | Kath Day-Knight / Prue | Seasons 1−4 & special (33 episodes) + Writer & executive producer (32 episodes); producer (25 episodes) |
| 2007 | Little Britain Down Under | Kath Day-Knight | Television documentary |
| 2015 | Open Slather | Various characters | Season 1 (main; 11 episodes) |
| 2018 | Rake | Senator Penny Evans | Season 5 (recurring; 5 episodes) |
| 2020 | Parlement (French TV series)[10] | MEP Sharon Redlion | Season 1 (recurring; 10 episodes) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Bachelor Girl | Vicki | Television film |
| The Bit Part | Actress in Play | Feature film | |
| 1997 | Thank God He Met Lizzie | Anne | Feature film |
| 2002 | Guru Wayne | Sarg | Feature film |
| 2005 | Da Kath & Kim Code | Kath Day-Knight / Prue | Television film (+ writer & producer) |
| 2012 | Kath & Kimderella | Kath Day-Knight / Prue | Feature film |
References
- ^ Jane Turner at IMDb
- ^ Quinn, Karl (2022-11-09). "Is Kath & Kim the greatest Australian comedy of all time?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
- ^ Official Kath & Kim Site
- ^ Shenton, Mark (January 27, 2010). "Hit Australian Play Holding the Man, With Jane Turner, Will Get West End Debut"
- ^ Riga, Jessica (22 November 2022). "Kath & Kim: Our Effluent Life and 20 Preposterous Years offer up new storylines, rehashed footage while touching on cultural significance - ABC News". amp.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ August Pty Ltd. "Sacré Cœur - Latest News". sacrecoeur.vic.edu.au. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
- ^ "Monash Graduate Database". Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ Guy, Roslyn (27 November 2004). "Turner sacrifices luxury for refugee camps". The Age
- ^ Byrne, Anna (13 December 2011). "Kath's little girl is all grown up". Sunday Herald Sun
- ^ "" Parlement " : la série politiquement (pas) correcte" (in French). France tv & vous. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-13.