Kathy Burke

Kathy Burke

Kathy Burke (born June 13 1964) is an English actress and theatre director.

Born at The Royal Free Hospital in London to Irish immigrant parents, Burke's first role was in the controversial film Scrubbers, directed by Swedish actress Mai Zetterling. The movie was set in a young offenders' institute for girls and was seen as a female version of the infamous Scum.

Burke first became familiar to television audiences as a player of minor roles in sketches by better-known performers such as Harry Enfield, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Along with French & Saunders, she has contributed to two Comic Relief charity singles. She first appeared as a member of Bananarama parody band Lananeeneenoonoo in 1989, and then as a member of Spice Girls' lookalike band 'The Sugar Lumps' in 1997. She quickly became successful in her own right and although mainly associated with comedy, she has played several serious roles including that of Queen Mary I of England in Elizabeth.

In 1997 Burke won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the gritty drama Nil by Mouth. Since then she has appeared as Perry in Kevin and Perry Go Large, and as Linda La Hughes in Gimme Gimme Gimme.

In 2003, she was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.

Since 2001 she has concentrated on her career as a theatre director. [1]

Films

Anita and Me (2002)
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002)
The Martins (2001)
Kevin and Perry Go Large (2000)
Love, Honour and Obey (2000)
Elizabeth (1998)
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)
Nil by Mouth (1997)
Scrubbers (1983)
This Years Love (1999)
Eat the Rich (1987)
The Two of Us (1987) -A BBC Production, initially produced for schools. It was edited soon after its release because of its highly controversial themes. It has since been made available un-cut.
Sid and Nancy (1986)

Television

A very Peculiar Practice (Episode 7)
Absolutely Fabulous (1992)
French and Saunders (1987)
Gimme Gimme Gimme (1999-2001) (co-wrote)
Harry Enfield and Chums (1994)
Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1990)
Have I Got News For You (1990)
Let Them Eat Cake (1999)
Never Mind The Buzzcocks (1996)
Pleasure Island (1999)
Room 101 (1994)
Shooting Gallery (1999)
Ted & Ralph (1998)
V Graham Norton (2002)
The F Word Guest Appearence (2006)
Dawn French's Girls Who Do Comedy (2006)

External links