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 67) Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England
Education	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (BA)
Occupation	Actress comedian singer screenwriter
Years active	1981–present
Notable work	The Comic Strip Presents... 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 on July 6, 1958) is a famous English actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She first became well-known in the 1980s. This was when she joined a comedy group called The Comic Strip. She joined after finishing drama school with her good friend and comedy partner, Dawn French.

Later, in the 1990s, Saunders became even more famous. She wrote and starred as her character Edina Monsoon in the TV show Absolutely Fabulous. With Dawn French, she also wrote and starred in their own sketch comedy show, French and Saunders. For their work together, they received a special award called a BAFTA Fellowship in 2009.

Jennifer Saunders' Early Life

Jennifer Jane Saunders was born on July 6, 1958, in Sleaford, England. Her mother, Barbara, was a biology teacher. Her father, Robert, was a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Because her father was in the military, Jennifer's family moved many times when she was a child.

She went to different schools, including boarding schools. She also attended St Paul's Girls' School in London. In 1977, Jennifer went to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. This is where she met Dawn French, who would become her comedy partner.

At first, Jennifer and Dawn did not get along. Dawn thought Jennifer was a bit snobby. Jennifer thought Dawn was too confident. Jennifer was surprised to learn she was on a course to become a teacher. Her mother had filled out the application form for her.

After a while, Jennifer and Dawn became friends and shared a flat. They started performing together after they finished drama school. They performed at festivals and comedy clubs. Their early act was called The Menopause Sisters. Jennifer described it as "cringeworthy," meaning it was a bit embarrassing.

Jennifer Saunders' Career Highlights

Starting in Comedy

Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French became known as part of a comedy group called The Comic Strip. This group was part of the "alternative comedy" scene in the early 1980s. In 1980, they saw an advertisement looking for female comedians. They went to the audition and were immediately hired.

They became regular members of The Comic Strip. Other members included Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall. The group performed in London and gained many fans. Famous actors like Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams even came to watch them.

Comedy in the 1980s and 1990s

The Comic Strip group appeared on TV when Channel 4 first started. This was on November 2, 1982. Jennifer also starred in and helped write Girls on Top in 1985. This show was about four funny women sharing a flat in London.

In 1987, Jennifer and Dawn created their own popular sketch comedy show, French and Saunders. This show aired on the BBC for many years until 2007.

Jennifer also had a big solo success with Absolutely Fabulous. This show was based on a short sketch from French & Saunders. Jennifer wrote and starred in it as Edina Monsoon, a fun-loving fashion public relations agent. Joanna Lumley played her friend, Patsy Stone. The show became very popular around the world. It ran for five series, special episodes, and a movie. It was also known as Ab Fab.

Jennifer also appeared in American TV shows. She played Edina Monsoon in an episode of Roseanne. She also appeared in Friends as Andrea Waltham, the step-mother of Ross Geller's fiancée.

Comedy in the 2000s

In the 2000s, Jennifer continued to create and star in new shows. She wrote and starred in a comedy-drama called Jam & Jerusalem. This show was about a women's group in the countryside. It aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2009.

In 2007, Jennifer and psychologist Tanya Byron wrote The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. This show was about a nervous daytime talk show host. Also in 2007, the final series of French & Saunders aired. Jennifer and Dawn then went on their last live tour together, 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.

Comedy in the 2010s

In 2011, Jennifer wrote and appeared in "Uptown Downstairs Abbey". This was a funny parody for Comic Relief of popular historical TV shows. She played the Dowager Countess in it.

In 2012, Jennifer was a guest star in Dead Boss, a BBC Three comedy. She played the strict governor of a prison. She also wrote the script for a musical called Viva Forever!, which was based on songs by the Spice Girls.

From 2013 to 2014, Jennifer starred as Lady Constance Keeble in the BBC show Blandings. In 2017, she lent her voice to an episode of The Simpsons.

Jennifer Saunders in Films

Jennifer Saunders has acted in many films. 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 was the voice of the Fairy Godmother. She also sang songs in the film. Her voice role was very popular and won her an 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 as Marie Van Schuyler. She acted alongside Dawn French and other stars.

Jennifer Saunders on Stage

In 2018, Jennifer Saunders performed in the play Lady Windermere's Fan in London. In 2019, she appeared on stage in Noël Coward's play, Blithe Spirit. She played an unusual psychic named Madam Arcati. The show toured England and later moved to London.

She played this role again in 2021 in London's West End. In 2022, Jennifer played Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical. In December 2023, she made her first appearance in a pantomime. She played Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the London Palladium.

Jennifer Saunders' Personal Life

Jennifer Saunders married fellow comedian Adrian Edmondson on May 11, 1985. They have three daughters: Ella (born 1986), Beattie (born 1987), and Freya (born 1990). All three of their daughters are also involved in the arts. They have five grandchildren.

In 2010, Jennifer shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She received treatment and recovered.

In October 2013, Jennifer published her autobiography, which is a book about her own life. It is called Bonkers: My Life in Laughs. She also supports a charity called Smart Works. This group helps unemployed women find jobs by providing clothes and coaching.

Awards and Recognition for Jennifer Saunders

Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French were offered a special honor called an OBE in 2001, but they chose to decline it.

In 2003, she was named one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy by The Observer newspaper. In 2005, she was named the fourth funniest woman in Britain in a survey of 4,000 women.

She has received many awards for her work, including:

• 1991: Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for French & Saunders.
• 1993: BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Series for 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 for Shrek 2.
• 2009: BAFTA Fellowship with Dawn French.
• 2012: BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Performance In a Comedy Programme for Absolutely Fabulous.

She has also been nominated for many other awards for her acting and writing.

Jennifer Saunders' Filmography

Television Shows

Movies

Jennifer Saunders as a Writer

Jennifer Saunders has written for many TV shows and films:

• 2016: Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (writer)
• 2012: Viva Forever! (writer)
• 2006–2009: Jam & Jerusalem (16 episodes)
• 2007: The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (6 episodes)
• 1992–2012: Absolutely Fabulous (38 episodes)
• 1987–2005: French and Saunders (38 episodes)
• 1985: Girls on Top TV series

See also

In Spanish: Jennifer Saunders para niños