Ursula Yovich facts for kids

Ursula Yovich is a talented Aboriginal Australian actress and singer. She is well-known for her many performances on stage, for helping to write and star in the rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs (2017), and for her roles in several movies and TV shows.

Discovering Ursula Yovich's Early Life

Ursula Yovich was born and grew up in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Her father, Slobodan Jović, was an immigrant from Serbia. He changed his name to Stan Yovich to make it sound more English. Her mother is an Aboriginal woman from a place called north-west Arnhem Land, near the Blyth River. The closest community to her mother's home is Maningrida.

Ursula Yovich's Amazing Career Journey

Ursula Yovich has performed in more than 20 plays and musicals. Some of her stage shows include Capricornia, Mother Courage and her Children, The Sapphires, Natural Life, Nailed, The Sunshine Club, Jerry Springer the Opera, Nathaniel Storm, and The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom.

She helped write the story and songs for the rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs with Alana Valentine. Ursula also starred in the show alongside Elaine Crombie.

Her movie roles include Jindabyne, Australia, and Goldstone. On television, she has appeared in Redfern Now, the second season of the crime drama Mystery Road, and the comedy show Preppers.

She was also featured in an episode of the SBS documentary series called Blaktrax.

Celebrating Ursula Yovich's Awards and Nominations

Ursula Yovich has received many awards and nominations for her fantastic work.

Awards Ursula Yovich Has Won

In 2002, Ursula won the first ever Bob Maza Memorial Award at the Tudawali Awards. This award from the Australian Film Commission celebrates new acting talent and helps Indigenous actors grow in their careers.

In 2016, she received the Sidney Myer individual award. This award recognized her amazing work in theatre over many years. Later that same year, she also won the Balnaves Foundation's Indigenous playwrights award.

Ursula has won three Helpmann Awards, which are like Australia's Tony Awards for live performances.

• In 2007, she won Best Female Actor in a Play for her role in Capricornia.
• In 2019, she won two Helpmann Awards for Barbara and the Camp Dogs: Best Female Actor in a Musical and Best Original Score (for the music she helped create).

In 2021, Ursula Yovich was given the Sandra Bates Director's Award by the Ensemble Theatre.

Nominations for Ursula Yovich's Work

In 2019, Ursula was nominated for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting for her rock musical comedy, Barbara and the Camp Dogs. She co-wrote this play with Alana Valentine. The show first opened at Belvoir St. Theatre in Sydney in 2017. At the 2017 Sydney Theatre Awards, Ursula was nominated for Best New Australian Work, Best Original Score, and Best Female Actor for the play. The musical also received a Music Theatre AWGIE nomination.

She has also been nominated many times for her main and supporting roles in plays and musicals. In 2010, she was nominated for Best Cabaret Performer for her show Magpie Blues.

Ursula Yovich's Personal Life

As of 2009, Ursula Yovich was married to Stewart O'Connell, who is a lawyer. They have one daughter together.

Ursula Yovich's Film Roles

Ursula Yovich's Television Appearances

Ursula Yovich's Music Albums

• Sketches EP (2004)
• Magpie Blues Live
• Well-Behaved Women(2023, contributing vocalist)