Magda Szubanski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Magda Szubanski AO
Szubanski at Tropfest 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 (born 12 April 1961), known as Magda Szubanski, is a famous Australian actress, author, and comedian. She is also a strong supporter of LGBT rights, working for equality and acceptance.

Magda is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows like Fast Forward and Kath & Kim, where she played the much-loved character Sharon Strzelecki. She also starred in the movies Babe (1995) and its sequel Babe: Pig in the City (1998). She lent her voice to the animated films Happy Feet (2006) and Happy Feet Two (2011). In the early 2000s, she was one of Australia's most recognized and liked TV personalities.

Magda has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights, especially for same-sex marriage in Australia. In 2015, she wrote her memoir, Reckoning.

Early Life and Education

Magda Szubanski was born on 12 April 1961, in Liverpool, England. Her mother, Margaret, was from a Scottish-Irish family. Her father, Zbigniew Szubanski, came from a Polish family and was part of the Polish resistance movement in World War II, fighting against the Nazis. Magda is also a cousin of Polish actress Magdalena Zawadzka.

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

Career Highlights

Television Roles

Szubanski in character at the Kath & Kimderella film premiere, August 2012

Magda Szubanski started her career writing and performing sketch comedy. In 1985, she was discovered by producers from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) while performing in a university show. This led to her being part of The D-Generation TV sketch comedy show.

She was also a creator and performer for the TV show Fast Forward. On this show, she played many different characters, including Pixie-Anne Wheatley and Chenille. She helped create and write her characters for the show.

In 1995, Magda, along with her friends Gina Riley and Jane Turner, created the first all-female Australian sketch comedy show called Big Girl's Blouse. Later, when Gina Riley and Jane Turner developed their characters into the sitcom Kath & Kim, Magda joined them. She played the much-loved character Sharon Strzelecki.

In 1999, Magda created, wrote, and starred in 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 Szubanski's most famous characters

In 2018, Magda appeared on the TV show Neighbours as Jemima Davies-Smythe. Her character was important because she led the first same-sex wedding shown on Australian television.

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

Film Appearances

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

In 2010, she appeared in the Indigenous musical film Bran Nue Dae as Roadhouse Betty. She starred alongside actors like Geoffrey Rush and Ernie Dingo.

Musical Theatre

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

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

Art and Inspiration

In 2020, Magda Szubanski was the subject of a painting by artist Wendy Sharpe for the Archibald Prize competition. The painting, called Comedy and Tragedy, showed Magda as her character Sharon Strzelecki during an air raid.

Wendy Sharpe explained that she was inspired by Magda's deep thoughts about her father's difficult experiences during World War II in the Polish resistance.

Other Projects

Magda Szubanski has also appeared in many advertisements. In 2008, she became a spokesperson for the dieting company Jenny Craig. She also appeared in commercials for Telstra and, in 2019, in an Uber Eats ad as her character Sharon Strzelecki, alongside Kim Kardashian.

Writing: Her Memoir

Magda's memoir, Reckoning, was released in 2015. The book won several awards, including "Book of the Year" and "Biography of the Year" at the Australian Book Industry Awards. It tells a powerful story about family, history, and finding one's place in the world.

Her friend, actor Geoffrey Rush, described the book as an "extraordinary hymn to the tragic heroism at the heart of ordinary life". The judges for the New South Wales Premier's Award called Reckoning "warm, clear, wise, funny and deeply intelligent."

Children's Books

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

Recognition and Awards

In 2019, Magda Szubanski was honored with the title of Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This award recognized her great contributions to acting, comedy, and writing. It also celebrated her important work as a campaigner for marriage equality.

Advocacy for LGBT Rights

Magda Szubanski has been a strong and public supporter of LGBT rights since 2012. She is a patron of Twenty/10, a group that helps LGBT youth.

During the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey in 2017, which asked Australians if they supported same-sex marriage, Magda appeared on many TV shows. She spoke passionately in favor of a "Yes" vote. Many people believe her efforts were very important in helping the "Yes" campaign succeed.

Charity Work

In 2020, Magda Szubanski and Will "Egg Boy" Connolly worked together to raise $190,000 for communities affected by bushfires. They also helped start "Regeneration", a project that uses creative arts to provide mental health support.

Personal Life

Magda Szubanski has spoken openly about her identity and her support for same-sex marriage. She has described herself as "culturally Catholic."

Filmography

Television

Film

Stage

• Too Cool for Sandals (1985) – various
• The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (1993) – Sadie
• Grease: The Arena Spectacular (National Australia Tour) (2005) – Miss Lynch
• The Madwoman of Chaillot – (2007) – Countess Aurelia
• Guys and Dolls (2008) – Big Jule
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2012) – Domina

Awards and Achievements

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.

Writing Awards

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

Other Recognitions

• Winner of the Liberty Voltaire Award for Free Speech in 2018.
• Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019 for her service to the performing arts and her work for marriage equality.
• Featured in the Australia Post, Australian Legends of Comedy stamp series in 2020.

Images for kids

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  Szubanski at Tropfest 2013

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  Szubanski in character at the Kath & Kimderella film premiere, August 2012

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  Sharon Strzelecki is one of Szubanski's most developed characters

See also

In Spanish: Magda Szubanski para niños