Jennifer Saunders facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennifer Saunders
Saunders in 2014
Born	Jennifer Jane Saunders (1958-07-06) 6 July 1958 (age 66) Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England
Education	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (BA)
Occupation	Actress comedian singer screenwriter
Years active	1981–present
Notable work	French and Saunders Absolutely Fabulous
Spouse(s)	Adrian Edmondson ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	3, including Ella Edmondson and Beattie Edmondson
Awards	BAFTA Fellowship (2009)

Jennifer Jane Saunders (born 6 July 1958) is a famous English actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She became well-known in the 1980s. Jennifer joined a comedy group called The Comic Strip. This happened after she finished her studies at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her best friend and comedy partner, Dawn French, was with her.

Together, Jennifer and Dawn wrote and starred in their own sketch show, French and Saunders. They even won a special award called a BAFTA Fellowship in 2009 for their work. Later, in the 1990s, Jennifer gained huge fame. She wrote and played the character Edina Monsoon in her very popular TV show Absolutely Fabulous.

Jennifer's Early Life

Jennifer Jane Saunders was born on 6 July 1958. Her birthplace was Sleaford, in Lincolnshire, England. Her mother, Barbara, was a biology teacher. Her father, Robert, was a pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He later worked for a company called British Aerospace. Jennifer has three brothers.

Because her father was in the armed forces, Jennifer moved schools many times. She went to boarding schools from age five to 18. After that, she attended St Paul's Girls' School in London. After school, she spent a year in Italy working as an au pair.

In 1977, Jennifer got a spot at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She was meant to study to become a drama teacher. This is where she met Dawn French. Both Jennifer and Dawn grew up on RAF bases. They even had the same best friend, but they had never met before.

At first, they didn't get along. Jennifer thought Dawn was "cocky." Dawn thought Jennifer was "snooty." Jennifer didn't want to be a teacher. She was surprised to learn her mother had applied for the course for her! Her mother was sad when Jennifer didn't apply to a top university.

After their rocky start, French and Saunders became roommates. They shared a flat together. Dawn often joked about Jennifer's messy habits. After college, they performed together. They did shows at festivals and comedy clubs. They even formed a comedy act called The Menopause Sisters. Jennifer described this act as "cringeworthy."

Her Amazing Career

Starting in Comedy

French and Saunders became famous as part of The Comic Strip. This was a group of comedians in the early 1980s. They saw an advert in a newspaper looking for female comedians. Until then, The Comic Strip only had male performers. When they auditioned, they were hired right away! They joined other comedians like Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall.

The group performed in London and became very popular. Famous actors like Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams even came to watch. When French and Saunders joined, Dawn was a drama teacher. Jennifer was looking for work and spent a lot of time in bed.

The 1980s and 1990s

The comedy group first appeared on TV on 2 November 1982. This was on Channel 4's first night on air. It was an episode of The Comic Strip Presents. Jennifer also played a rock journalist in episodes about a fictional heavy metal band called Bad News.

In 1985, Jennifer starred in and co-wrote Girls on Top. This show was about four funny women sharing a flat. She also appeared in Happy Families. In this show, she played many different family members. Jennifer also acted in a Comic Strip film called The Supergrass. She even appeared twice on the TV show The Young Ones.

In 1987, Jennifer and Dawn created French and Saunders. This was a very popular sketch comedy show for the BBC. It ran until 2007. By the end of the 1980s, it was a must-watch comedy show. Jennifer also performed in a live show for Amnesty International in 1989.

Jennifer and Dawn also worked on their own projects. Jennifer's biggest solo success was Absolutely Fabulous. This comedy was based on a short sketch from French & Saunders. Jennifer and Dawn were going to star in it together. But Dawn got a call about adopting a baby, so Jennifer starred alone.

In Absolutely Fabulous, Jennifer wrote and played Edina Monsoon. Edina was a funny and irresponsible fashion agent. Joanna Lumley played her best friend, Patsy Stone. The show became famous worldwide. It ran for five series, two TV movies, and a feature film. It was on TV for 24 years, from 1992 to 2016. People often call it Ab Fab. It was also shown in the United States.

Jennifer also appeared on American TV shows. She played Edina Monsoon in an episode of Roseanne. She was also Andrea Waltham, Ross Geller's fiancée's step-mother, in Friends. In 1999, she starred with Dawn French in Let Them Eat Cake.

The 2000s

Jennifer wrote and starred in a comedy drama called Jam & Jerusalem. It was about a Women's Institute group in the countryside. The show aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2009. It also starred Dawn French and Joanna Lumley.

In 2007, Jennifer and a psychologist named Tanya Byron wrote The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. This show was about a nervous daytime talk show host. Jennifer played the main character, Vivienne Vyle.

Also in 2007, the final series of French & Saunders aired. It was called A Bucket o' French & Saunders. It had a mix of old and new sketches. In 2008 and 2009, French and Saunders went on their last live tour, called French & Saunders: Still Alive.

Jennifer also appeared on the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" part of the TV show Top Gear. She loves cars, especially Alfa Romeos.

The 2010s

In 2011, Jennifer wrote and appeared in "Uptown Downstairs Abbey." This was a funny parody of the TV shows Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs. She played the Dowager Countess. Many other famous actors were in it too.

In 2012, Jennifer was a guest star in Dead Boss. This was a BBC Three comedy set in a prison. She played the strict governor, Margaret. The show's creator, Sharon Horgan, said she "begged" Jennifer to take the role.

Jennifer also wrote the script for Viva Forever!, a musical based on the Spice Girls' songs.

In 2013, Jennifer starred as Lady Constance Keeble in the BBC show Blandings. In 2017, she voiced an elderly woman in The Simpsons episode "Looking for Mr. Goodbart".

Movies She's Been In

Jennifer has also appeared in several movies. These include In the Bleak Midwinter (1995) and Muppet Treasure Island (1996). She also had small appearances in the Spice Girls' film Spice World (1997).

In the animated movie Shrek 2 (2004), she voiced the Fairy Godmother. She also sang songs like "The Fairy Godmother Song." Her part only took four days to record! The movie was a huge success. Her role won the People's Choice Award for best movie villain in 2005.

She voiced Miss Spink in the animated film Coraline. Her comedy partner, Dawn French, voiced Miss Forcible in the same movie. In 2015, Jennifer voiced Queen Elizabeth II in Minions. In 2016, she voiced Miss Nana Noodleman in Sing, and again in Sing 2.

In 2022, she starred in Death on the Nile. She played Marie Van Schuyler alongside Dawn French and Gal Gadot.

On Stage

In 2018, Jennifer performed in the play Lady Windermere's Fan. She played The Duchess of Berwick.

In June 2019, she appeared on stage in Noël Coward's play, Blithe Spirit. She played the funny clairvoyant Madam Arcati. The show toured England and then moved to London. However, performances were stopped due to the pandemic.

She played the role again in autumn 2021 in London's West End.

In 2022, Jennifer played Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical. She performed for six weeks alongside Beverley Knight.

In December 2023, Jennifer made her first pantomime appearance. She played Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the London Palladium.

Her Personal Life

Jennifer Saunders married Adrian Edmondson on 11 May 1985. The wedding was in Cheshire, England. Other Comic Strip members like Rik Mayall were there. The reception was at Jennifer's parents' home.

They have three daughters: Ella Edmondson (born 1986), Beattie Edmondson (born 1987), and Freya Edmondson (born 1990). All three are actresses or singers. Jennifer and Adrian also have five grandchildren.

In July 2010, Jennifer shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had treatment and was in remission.

Jennifer published her autobiography, Bonkers: My Life in Laughs, in October 2013.

She supports the Smart Works Charity. This group helps unemployed women find jobs.

Awards and Special Recognition

Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French were offered an OBE award in 2001, but they politely turned it down.

In 2003, The Observer newspaper listed her as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. She was also named one of the best British role models for teenage girls.

The University of Exeter gave Jennifer an honorary doctorate in 2007. Edge Hill University also gave her one in 2011.

In 2005, a poll of 4,000 women named Jennifer the fourth funniest woman in Britain. She has won and been nominated for many awards, including:

Awards She Won

• 1991: Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for TV Light Entertainment – French & Saunders.
• 1993: BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Series for – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1993: Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award TV for Situation Comedy – Absolutely Fabulous.
• 1993: British Comedy Award for Top Female Performer
• 2002: Honorary Rose Award – with Dawn French
• 2005: People's Choice Award for Favourite Movie Villain – Shrek 2
• 2009: BAFTA Fellowship – with Dawn French
• 2012: BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Performance In a Comedy Programme – Absolutely Fabulous

Awards She Was Nominated For

• 1993: BAFTA Television Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance for – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1993: British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Actress – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1994: British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1995: BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Series for – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1996: BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Series for – Absolutely Fabulous
• 1997: BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Series for – Absolutely Fabulous

Her Work on TV

Her Work in Movies

Jennifer as a Writer

• 2016: Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (writer)
• 2012: Viva Forever! (writer)
• 2006: Jam & Jerusalem (16 episodes, 2006–2009)
• 2008: French and Saunders Still Alive (V) (writer)
• 2007: The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (6 episodes, 2007)
• 2007: A Bucket o' French & Saunders (5 episodes, 2007)
• 2001: Absolument fabuleux (creator: TV series Absolutely Fabulous)
• 2000: Mirrorball (TV) (writer)
• 2000: French & Saunders Live (V) (writer)
• 1999: The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything (TV) (writer)
• 1998: Absolutely Fabulous: A Life (V) (writer)
• 1998: Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Not! (V) (original idea)
• 1996: Roseanne (1 episode, 1996)
• 1993: French and Saunders Live (V) (writer)
• 1992: Absolutely Fabulous (38 episodes, 1992–2012)
• 1991: Comic Relief (TV) (uncredited)
• 1987: French and Saunders (38 episodes, 1987–2005)
• 1986: Comic Relief (TV) (writer)
• 1984: The Comic Strip Presents... (2 episodes, 1984–1986)
• 1985: Girls on Top TV series (unknown episodes)
• 1981: The Comic Strip (TV) (writer)

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