Justine Clarke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Justine Clarke
Clarke at the 2018 ARIA Awards in Sydney, Australia
Born	Justine Clarke 1971 (age 53-54) Sydney, Australia
Occupation	Actress singer television host author
Years active	1978–present
Notable work	Home and Away (1988–89) Tangle (2009–12) Play School (1999–) Look Both Ways
Spouse(s)	Jack Finsterer ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	3

Justine Clarke (born 1971) is a popular Australian actress, singer, author, and television host. She has been acting since she was seven years old and has appeared in many of Australia's most famous TV shows.

Many people know her as Roo Stewart from the soap opera Home and Away (1988–1989) or as a friendly presenter on the children's show Play School, where she has worked since 1999. She has also starred in movies and plays. For her role in the film Look Both Ways, she won a Best Actress award at an international film festival. As a singer, she has won two ARIA Awards for her children's music.

Early Life and First Roles

Justine Clarke was born in Sydney, New South Wales. Her parents, Beverly and Len, were both singers, and her mother was also an actress.

She started her career at just seven years old, appearing in TV commercials. One of her first ads was for Arnott's Humphrey B. Bear biscuits. When she was eleven, she performed in the famous stage musical The Sound of Music as the character Brigitta.

Career in Film and Television

Starting Out in TV and Film

Clarke's first major movie role was as Anna Goanna in the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Soon after, she appeared in several TV shows, including A Country Practice.

In 1987, she was cast as Ruth "Roo" Stewart in the popular soap opera Home and Away. She was one of the original cast members and played the role for 18 months. The character of Roo is still in the show today, played by a different actress, making Roo one of the longest-running characters in the series.

A Star on Play School

In 1999, Clarke became a presenter on the much-loved ABC Kids show, Play School. She has been a familiar face on the show for over two decades, entertaining and educating young children across Australia.

The first time I stepped onto that set I felt like I was a child again and I had climbed into the television! I remember feeling slightly nervous about meeting old pros like Jemima and Big Ted, but they were very warm and welcoming and just the same as they are on the show.

– Justine Clarke, on joining Play School'

Famous Roles

Throughout her career, Clarke has starred in many successful TV shows and movies. She played Dr. Samantha O'Hara in the medical drama All Saints and had a leading role in another medical show, The Surgeon.

From 2009 to 2012, she starred as Ally Kovac in the drama series Tangle. She has also appeared in shows like House Husbands, The Time of Our Lives, and the comedy Fisk.

Her film work includes Blackrock, Danny Deckchair, and Look Both Ways. Her performance in Look Both Ways earned her a nomination for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) award.

Stage and Theatre Work

Clarke is also a talented stage actress and has performed in many plays with the Sydney Theatre Company. Some of her notable theatre roles were in productions like Hedda Gabler, Cyrano de Bergerac, and the popular musical Muriel's Wedding.

In 2023 and 2024, she received great reviews for her performance in the play Julia, which was about the life of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Music for Children and Adults

Justine Clarke at the 2013 ARIA Awards

In addition to acting, Justine Clarke is a successful singer. In the 1990s, she was part of several bands with other Australian actors.

She is most famous for her children's music. She has released many albums through ABC Music and has won the ARIA Award for Best Children's Album twice. She won in 2013 for A Little Day Out With Justine Clarke and again in 2018 for The Justine Clarke Show!.

She also created her own children's TV series, The Justine Clarke Show!. In 2019, she released a "greatest hits" album called Everybody Roar! The Best of Justine Clarke. Besides her children's music, Clarke is also known as a jazz and cabaret singer.

Discography

Personal Life

Clarke married actor Jack Finsterer in 1999. Together, they have three children named Josef, Nina, and Max.

Awards and Nominations

Justine Clarke has been recognized for her work in both music and acting.

Music Awards

Acting Awards

See also

In Spanish: Justine Clarke para niños