Julia Morris
Encyclopedia
Julia Morris is an Australia
n writer
, comedian
, actress, television
presenter and television producer
who has worked extensively in Australian and British television and radio. She has toured widely with her solo stand-up comedy
shows. In Australia, she is best known as one of the stars of the popular sketch series Full Frontal
. She relocated to the United Kingdom
in 2000, where she appeared widely on British television before returning with her family to Australia in 2007.
on New Year's Eve, 2005. The couple have two daughters, Ruby Charlotte and Sophie Rebecca born on 27 November 2008. In 2003, Morris acquired the title "Lady of the Manor of Gosforth" after her husband bought it for her online. Although it has no legal standing, Morris exploits its comic value in her stand-up show, referring to herself as "Lady Julia Morris".
. She performed "Holding Out for a Hero
", a Jim Steinman
song made famous by Bonnie Tyler
, and tied for first place.
After several years of working in variety and stand-up comedy, Morris got her big break when she joined the ensemble cast of the hit Australian sketch comedy series Full Frontal
in 1995. This led to hosting roles on Great Aussie Bloopers and "The Morris Report" in the live variety series In Melbourne Tonight
, as well as regular appearances on The Midday Show, Good Morning Australia
, Beauty and the Beast and Who Dares Wins
. and the action series Gladiators.
Morris relocated to the United Kingdom in 2000 where, apart from stand-up, she appeared (and notably hardly spoke) on television programs such as QI
. She also appeared in an episode of sitcom Not Going Out
as Ruth, a successful beautician. Since her return to Australia in 2007, she has made appearances on Thank God You're Here
, Good News Week
, Spicks and Specks, Rove Live
, The Singing Office and It Takes Two. She won the third season of the reality singing series It Takes Two, in which she was partnered with opera singer David Hobson. Her winnings were donated to the Emily Tapp Foundation, a charity dedicated to melanoma
awareness and prevention.
She has also appeared in a series of commercials for All Bran cereal, which also featured fellow actress and comedienne Helen Dallimore
.
She was a contestant on the 2011 series of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia
, and won, beating teammate Jason Coleman, model Jesinta Campbell and AFL star Shane Crawford
.
and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
. She won a Herald Angel Award at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
and Time Out magazine's Comedy Performer of the Year Award in 2004. She is a former manager of Sydney's Comedy Store venue.
In 1999 she toured in the critically acclaimed Australian production of the Broadway
musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
.
As Herself
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, actress, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
presenter and television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
who has worked extensively in Australian and British television and radio. She has toured widely with her solo stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
shows. In Australia, she is best known as one of the stars of the popular sketch series Full Frontal
Full Frontal (TV series)
Full Frontal was an Australian sketch comedy series which debuted in 1993. The show first aired on the Seven Network on 13 May 1993, and finished on 18 September 1997....
. She relocated to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 2000, where she appeared widely on British television before returning with her family to Australia in 2007.
Personal life
Morris married British comedian Dan Thomas in Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
on New Year's Eve, 2005. The couple have two daughters, Ruby Charlotte and Sophie Rebecca born on 27 November 2008. In 2003, Morris acquired the title "Lady of the Manor of Gosforth" after her husband bought it for her online. Although it has no legal standing, Morris exploits its comic value in her stand-up show, referring to herself as "Lady Julia Morris".
Television
Morris's first television appearance was in 1985 at the age of 17, as a contestant on the talent show New FacesNew Faces (Australian)
New Faces was an Australian talent show that preceded the British show of the same name, produced at GTV-9 Melbourne. The program began in 1963 under the name Kevin Dennis Auditions, sponsored by Kevin Dennis Motors, running on Saturday mornings...
. She performed "Holding Out for a Hero
Holding Out for a Hero
"Holding Out for a Hero" is a song written by Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford, originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler. It was released in 1984 on the soundtrack to the film Footloose. It later appeared on Tyler's Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire album. It hit #96 for the first time in UK in 1984,...
", a Jim Steinman
Jim Steinman
James Richard "Jim" Steinman is an American composer, lyricist, and Grammy Award-winning record producer responsible for several hit songs. He has also worked as an arranger, pianist, and singer...
song made famous by Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
, and tied for first place.
After several years of working in variety and stand-up comedy, Morris got her big break when she joined the ensemble cast of the hit Australian sketch comedy series Full Frontal
Full Frontal (TV series)
Full Frontal was an Australian sketch comedy series which debuted in 1993. The show first aired on the Seven Network on 13 May 1993, and finished on 18 September 1997....
in 1995. This led to hosting roles on Great Aussie Bloopers and "The Morris Report" in the live variety series In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight, also known as "IMT", was a highly popular nightly variety television show produced at GTV-9 Melbourne from 6 May 1957 to 1970....
, as well as regular appearances on The Midday Show, Good Morning Australia
Good Morning Australia
Good Morning Australia from Network Ten was the name of two different programs. This article is for Bert Newton's morning program, not to be confused with the breakfast news program of the same name....
, Beauty and the Beast and Who Dares Wins
Who Dares Wins (game show)
Who Dares Wins is an Australian adventure game show that aired on the Seven Network between 1996 and 1998, with re-runs airing in 2005 and 2007...
. and the action series Gladiators.
Morris relocated to the United Kingdom in 2000 where, apart from stand-up, she appeared (and notably hardly spoke) on television programs such as QI
QI
QI is a British comedy panel game television quiz show created and co-produced by John Lloyd, hosted by Stephen Fry, and featuring permanent panellist Alan Davies. Most of the questions are extremely obscure, making it unlikely that the correct answer will be given...
. She also appeared in an episode of sitcom Not Going Out
Not Going Out
Not Going Out is a British television sitcom that has aired on BBC One since 2006. Starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine, Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart and Katy Wix, it was initially written by Mack, Andrew Collins, Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Peter Tilbury, but now features contributions from other...
as Ruth, a successful beautician. Since her return to Australia in 2007, she has made appearances on Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season...
, Good News Week
Good News Week
Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that initially aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and resumed on 11 February 2008 to 9 May 2011. The show aired first on ABC TV before it was bought by Network Ten in 1999...
, Spicks and Specks, Rove Live
Rove Live
Rove, formerly Rove Live, was an Australian television talk show which premiered on the Nine Network on 22 September 1999, before moving to Network Ten which aired the program from 2000 until November, 2009. The show was hosted by comedian Rove McManus, and featured an ensemble cast, who presented...
, The Singing Office and It Takes Two. She won the third season of the reality singing series It Takes Two, in which she was partnered with opera singer David Hobson. Her winnings were donated to the Emily Tapp Foundation, a charity dedicated to melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
awareness and prevention.
She has also appeared in a series of commercials for All Bran cereal, which also featured fellow actress and comedienne Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore is an Australian actress, known for originating the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked.-Background:...
.
She was a contestant on the 2011 series of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia
The Celebrity Apprentice Australia
The Celebrity Apprentice Australia is a celebrity version of The Apprentice Australia series. It began to air on the Nine Network on 24 October 2011...
, and won, beating teammate Jason Coleman, model Jesinta Campbell and AFL star Shane Crawford
Shane Crawford
Shane Barry Crawford is a former Australian rules footballer, having played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League...
.
Live performance
Morris regularly tours international comedy festivals, having made appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, South Africa's Vodacom Funny Festival, Montreal's Just For LaughsJust for Laughs
Just for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 1983. It is the largest international comedy festival in the world.- Information :...
and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
. She won a Herald Angel Award at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe was the 54th Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Fringe ran from 5–27 August 2001 and presented 1462 shows over 176 venues.-Scotsman Fringe First Awards:Week One:*Gagarin Way*Runt*Like Thunder*Bedbound...
and Time Out magazine's Comedy Performer of the Year Award in 2004. She is a former manager of Sydney's Comedy Store venue.
In 1999 she toured in the critically acclaimed Australian production of the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. It is the second-longest running Off Broadway musical...
.
Television
| Year | Show | Role | Notes | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–1996 | Full Frontal Full Frontal (TV series) Full Frontal was an Australian sketch comedy series which debuted in 1993. The show first aired on the Seven Network on 13 May 1993, and finished on 18 September 1997.... |
Various characters | Writer/actor | 26 |
| 2006 | Not Going Out Not Going Out Not Going Out is a British television sitcom that has aired on BBC One since 2006. Starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine, Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart and Katy Wix, it was initially written by Mack, Andrew Collins, Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Peter Tilbury, but now features contributions from other... |
Ruth | 1 |
As Herself
| Year | Show | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast (talk show) Beauty and the Beast is an Australian panel television show that has appeared in numerous versions since the early days of Australian television. The first version began in 1963 on the Seven Network with host Eric Baume as the "Beast". Baume was later replaced by presenters including John Laws,... |
|
| 2003 | QI QI QI is a British comedy panel game television quiz show created and co-produced by John Lloyd, hosted by Stephen Fry, and featuring permanent panellist Alan Davies. Most of the questions are extremely obscure, making it unlikely that the correct answer will be given... |
1 |
| 2006–2007 | Spicks and Specks | 2 |
| 2007 | Rove Live Rove Live Rove, formerly Rove Live, was an Australian television talk show which premiered on the Nine Network on 22 September 1999, before moving to Network Ten which aired the program from 2000 until November, 2009. The show was hosted by comedian Rove McManus, and featured an ensemble cast, who presented... |
1 |
| 2007 | Thank God You're Here Thank God You're Here Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season... |
1 |
| 2008 | Melbourne International Comedy Festival Melbourne International Comedy Festival The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day... |
|
| 2008 | It Takes Two | 11 |
| 2008–present | Good News Week Good News Week Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that initially aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and resumed on 11 February 2008 to 9 May 2011. The show aired first on ABC TV before it was bought by Network Ten in 1999... |
14 |
| 2010 | Bonnie Hunt Bonnie Hunt Bonnie Lynne Hunt is an American actress, comedian, writer, director, television producer and daytime television host.- Early life :... |
|
| 2010 | Just For Laughs Just for Laughs Just for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 1983. It is the largest international comedy festival in the world.- Information :... |
|
| 2010 | Sleuth 101 Sleuth 101 Sleuth 101 is an Australian comedy television series, broadcast on ABC 1 in 2010. The series revolves around a murder-mystery that must be solved by a celebrity guest detective. Each episode features a guest detective , four suspects, a crime scene, evidence and witness accounts - just like real... |
1 |
| 2011 | The Celebrity Apprentice |
External links
- Official website
- Review at chortle.co.uk
- Review of 2003 Edinburgh Festival show Will You Kids Get Out Of That Pool Please!
- Review of 2004 Brighton Comedy Festival show Lady Julia Morris Live
- Julia Morris biography - It Takes Two website
- Julia Morris Shames Herself, 2009 Maynard.com.au
- Julia Morris WILL Stab You, 2011 Maynard.com.au