Magda Szubanski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Magda Szubanski AO
Szubanski in 2013
Born	Magdalene Mary Therese Szubanski (1961-04-12) 12 April 1961 (age 64) Liverpool, England
Nationality	Australian
Education	Siena College
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Occupation	Actress author comedian LGBT rights advocate
Years active	1986–present
Notable work	Esme Cordelia Hoggett in Babe (1995) and its 1998 sequel Voice of Miss Viola in Happy Feet (2006) and its 2011 sequel Voice of Mrs. Mutton in 100% Wolf (2020)
Television	Fast Forward (1989–1992) Kath and Kim (2002–2007)

Magdalene Mary Therese Szubanski, also known as Magda Szubanski, is a famous Australian comedian, actress, and author. She is also a strong supporter of LGBT rights. Magda was born on April 12, 1961.

She is well-known for her roles in TV shows like Fast Forward and Kath & Kim, where she played the character Sharon Strzelecki. Magda also starred in popular movies such as Babe (1995) and its sequel Babe: Pig in the City (1998). She also lent her voice to the animated films Happy Feet (2006) and Happy Feet Two (2011).

In the early 2000s, surveys showed that Magda was one of Australia's most recognized and liked TV personalities. She has openly shared her experiences with difficult feelings and anxiety when she was younger. Magda became an activist for LGBT rights and strongly supported same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017. In 2015, she released her memoir, Reckoning.

Early Life and Education

Magda Szubanski was born in Liverpool, England, on April 12, 1961. Her mother, Margaret, had Scottish-Irish roots and came from a family that wasn't wealthy. Her father, Zbigniew Szubański, was from a well-off Polish family. He was involved in secret operations for the Polish resistance movement in World War II. Magda is also a cousin of the Polish actress Magdalena Zawadzka.

She went to Siena College in Melbourne, Australia. When she was in Year 10 in 1976, she was the captain of a team on the TV quiz show It's Academic. Later, Magda studied fine arts and philosophy at the University of Melbourne, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Career Highlights

Television Roles

Magda Szubanski as her character Sharon Strzelecki at a film premiere in 2012

Magda Szubanski started her career as a writer and performer of sketch comedy. In 1985, while performing in a show at the University of Melbourne, she and her friends were noticed by producers from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). This led to their TV sketch comedy show, The D-Generation.

Magda was also one of the creators and performers for the TV sketch comedy show Fast Forward on the Seven Network. On this show, she played many different characters, including Pixie-Anne Wheatley and Chenille. She helped create and write many of her characters.

In 1995, Magda, along with her friends Gina Riley and Jane Turner, created, performed, and produced Big Girl's Blouse. This was the first all-female Australian sketch comedy TV program. Later, when Gina Riley and Jane Turner turned some of their sketch characters into the sitcom Kath & Kim, Magda joined them. She played the popular character Sharon Strzelecki, whom she had created earlier. In the same year, Magda hosted the 37th Australian Film Institute Awards.

In 1999, Magda created, wrote, and co-produced the Dogwoman TV film series. In this show, she played Margaret O'Halloran, a "dog-whisperer" who solves human crimes while helping problem dogs.

Sharon Strzelecki is one of Magda Szubanski's most famous characters

In 2009, Magda appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?. On this show, she learned more about her father's involvement in the Polish Resistance during World War II. She also discovered stories about her Irish grandfather and an ancestor who was a sculptor.

From 2018, Magda appeared on the TV show Neighbours as Jemima Davies-Smythe. Her character was part of the first same-sex wedding shown on Australian television.

In 2021, Magda Szubanski became the host of the Nine Network's new version of the game show The Weakest Link.

Film Appearances

Magda Szubanski played Esme Hoggett in the 1995 film Babe. She returned to this role in the 1998 sequel, Babe: Pig in the City. She also worked with director George Miller again to voice Miss Viola in the animated movies Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two.

In 2007, she had a small role as Mrs. Lonsdale, the housemaid, in the film The Golden Compass.

Musical Theatre

In 2007, Magda tried musical comedy. She played William Barfee in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of the Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Critics praised her performance.

In 2008, she took on the role of Big Jule, a gangster, in a big stage production of Guys and Dolls.

In 2010, she appeared in Bran Nue Dae, the first Indigenous musical film. She played Roadhouse Betty alongside other famous actors like Geoffrey Rush.

In 2012, she worked with Geoffrey Rush again in the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Art and Creativity

In 2020, Magda Szubanski was the subject of a painting by Wendy Sharpe for the Archibald Prize. This is a famous portrait painting competition in Australia. In Sharpe's painting, called Comedy and Tragedy, Magda is shown as her character Sharon Strzelecki during an air raid.

The painting was chosen as a finalist in the competition. Wendy Sharpe explained that she changed her idea for the portrait after talking with Magda. She wanted to show a sadder version of Sharon, reflecting Magda's thoughts about her father's difficult experiences in World War II.

Other Projects

In 2004, Magda Szubanski appeared in advertisements for the airline Jetstar. In 2008, she became a spokesperson for the dieting company Jenny Craig. She later appeared in commercials for Telstra in 2014. In 2019, she was in an Uber Eats ad as her character Sharon Strzelecki, alongside Kim Kardashian.

Memoir: Reckoning

In 2015, Magda Szubanski released her memoir, Reckoning. The book is largely about her father, who was involved in the Polish Resistance during World War II. It also explores themes of how difficult experiences can affect families through generations and Magda's own journey of understanding her identity.

The book won several awards, including "Book of the Year" and "Biography of the Year" at the Australian Book Industry Awards. Reviewers praised the book, calling it "riveting" and "extraordinary." Actor Geoffrey Rush launched her book and described it as a "non-fiction novel" that invites readers into Magda's story.

Children's Books

Magda Szubanski is also an author of children's books. She writes the "Timmy the Ticked Off Pony" series, which features illustrations by Dean Rankine.

Recognition and Awards

In 2019, Magda Szubanski was given a special honor called the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This award recognized her important contributions to acting, comedy, and writing, and her work as a campaigner for marriage equality.

LGBT Rights Advocacy

Magda Szubanski has been a strong and open supporter of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage since she publicly shared her identity in 2012. She is a patron of the LGBT group, Twenty/10.

During the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey for same-sex marriage, Magda appeared on many TV shows to encourage people to vote "Yes." The co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality said her efforts were "crucial" to the success of the "Yes" campaign.

Charity Work

In 2020, Magda Szubanski and Will "Egg Boy" Connolly raised $190,000 to help communities affected by bushfires. They also worked with experts to create "Regeneration," a project that uses creative arts to support mental health.

In 2013, Magda became the Patron of "Twenty10," an organization that supports young LGBT people.

Personal Life

On February 14, 2012, Magda Szubanski publicly stated that she "absolutely identifies as gay" during an interview on the Australian TV show The Project. She has also described herself as "culturally Catholic."

In May 2025, Magda announced that she had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called mantle cell lymphoma, and that it had progressed to stage 4.

Filmography

Films

Television Shows

Stage Performances

Awards and Recognition

Magda Szubanski has received many awards for her acting and writing.

Acting Awards

• Won 'Most Popular Comedy Personality' at the Logie awards in 1991, 1992, and 1996.
• Won the Australian Film Institute's award 'Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama' in 2002.
• Nominated for 'Most Popular Actress' at the 2005 Logie Awards for her role in Kath & Kim.
• Nominated for 'Best Female actor in a Musical' at the 2006 Helpmann Awards.

Writing Awards

• Won the Awgie Award for sketch comedy Big Girl's Blouse.
• Won the Awgie Award for Fast Forward Writing team (Best Comedy/Revue/Sketch) in 1990 and 1991.
• Won "Book of the Year" and "Biography of the Year" at the Australian Book Industry Awards in 2016 for her memoir Reckoning.
• Won the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards in 2016.

Other Recognition

• Won the Liberty Voltaire Award for Free Speech in 2018.
• Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019.
• Featured in the Australia Post, Australian Legends of Comedy stamp series in 2020.

See also

In Spanish: Magda Szubanski para niños