Debra Byrne | |
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Born | Debra Anne Byrne 30 March 1957 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1969-present |
Spouses |
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Partner |
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Children | 3 (including Lucille Le Meledo) |
Debra Anne Byrne (born 30 March 1957), formerly billed as Debbie Byrne, is an Australian pop singer, variety entertainer, theatre and TV actress and writer, director and choreographer of cabaret. From April 1971 to March 1975 she was a founding cast member of Young Talent Time . She started her solo singing career with a cover version of "He's a Rebel" (March 1974), which peaked at No. 25 on the Go-Set Australian Singles chart. At the Logie Awards of 1974 she won Best Teenage Personality and followed with the Queen of Pop Award in October – both ceremonies were sponsored by TV Week . She repeated both wins in the following year.
As a stage actress Byrne appeared in the Australian musical theatre versions of Cats (July 1985 to mid-1987), Les Misérables (November 1987 to May 1988, December 1989 to June 1990) and Sunset Boulevard (October 1996 to June 1997). Her solo album, Caught in the Act (April 1991), peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold. In 2006 Byrne published her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir.
In 1969 Debra "Debbie" Byrne made her television debut on Brian and the Juniors , a children's variety and talent quest, which was hosted by newsreader Brian Naylor. [1] : 25 [2] She stayed with the show for 12 months until it finished late in 1970. In April 1971 she became an original cast member on Young Talent Time , another children's talent quest, which was hosted by Johnny Young. [1] : 48–50 [3] Byrne proved to be a popular cast member: in March 1974 she won the Logie Award for Best Teenage Personality and the TV Week Queen of Pop Award in October. [4] [5]
In March 1974, before leaving the Young Talent Time regular cast, Byrne released her first solo single, "He's a Rebel", a cover version of the Phil Spector-produced 1962 hit by the Crystals. [4] [6] It peaked at No. 25 on the Go-Set Top 40 Australian Singles chart, [7] and reached No. 1 on the Melbourne charts. [4] Her debut album, She's a Rebel (1974), was produced by Young, with session musicians including Russell Dunlop on drums (ex-Aesops Fables, SCRA, Renée Geyer and Mother Earth, Johnny Rocco Band), Tim Partridge on bass guitar (Company Caine, Mighty Kong, Kevin Borich Express), Mark Punch on guitar (Johnny Rocco Band, Renée Geyer Band) and Terry Walker on guitar and backing vocals (the Strangers, Pastoral Symphony). [8]
Byrne's follow-up single was a second Crystals cover, "Da Doo Ron Ron" (January 1975), backed by the track, "Boogie Man". [4] In that year she won both the Logie Award for Best Teenage Personality and the TV Week Queen of Pop Award for a second time. [4] [9] In September 1975 Byrne travelled to London to record at Abbey Road Studios with Cliff Richard producing. While in London, she made public and TV appearances, including on The Cliff Richard Show. [4]
Byrne's first Australian television guest appearance as a featured solo artist was on The Graham Kennedy Show at the age of fifteen. Since then she has made a guest appearance on every major Australian Tonight show and was a regular performer on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) series, The Saturday Show. In 1978 she merged singing with acting for the first time on the ABC's Follies series. From August 1980 Byrne co-starred alongside John Farnham in their own series, Farnham and Byrne. [10] Craig Walsh of The Australian Women's Weekly previewed a segment for a rock 'n' roll themed episode, "[its] staging promises to make the series the smash hit of 1980, say the producers" with Byrne declaring "I've just discovered I can dance better than I thought." [10]
Byrne's career stalled between 1980 and 1985 due to her heroin addiction, for which she undertook rehab at Odyssey House. [4] A further stumbling block occurred when a sex tape of her and a former partner was stolen and leaked to the media. [1] : 435–6, 446–9 [11]
In mid-1985, Byrne recorded her second solo album, The Persuader , which was produced by Peter Dawkins. [1] : 288 [12] She issued the single "The Persuader" in August, but neither single or album charted. [4] She made a successful and highly publicised career comeback in 1985 with the starring role as Kathy McLeod, opposite Matt Dillon, in the feature film, Rebel . [4] [13] She was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for the performance. [14] Byrne sang lead vocals on nine of ten tracks on Rebel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985). [15] [16]
Byrne's live cabaret, Caught in the Act Again, commenced during mid-1999, it included both show tunes and some original material. The first half was "a little too low-key, mostly because the songs all have a similar, slow, acid-jazzy tempo" according to Fiona Scott-Norman of The Age. [17] She was backed by John McAll on piano and Don Hirini as backing vocalist; she also co-wrote some material, including "I Don't Make the Rules", with Hirini. [17] Caught in the Act Again earned a Green Room Award nomination for Best Cabaret Performance and Best Musical Arrangement.
Her cabaret work includes writing, directing, choreographing and starring in Girls, Girls, Girls from May to June 2002. [18] The show also starred Wendy Stapleton and Lisa Edwards (replaced by Nikki Nicholls) as a tribute to the Supremes, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline and Lulu. [19] [20] In 2002 it won the Herald Sun Best Cabaret Award. [18] [21] The shows had sold out before they opened. [22] In subsequent years Byrne, Stapleton and Nicholls periodically resumed Girls, Girls, Girls.
Since 1972 Byrne has been a regular performer at the Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight concert at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl. At the 2005 concert she performed a duet of Silent Night with her five-year-old daughter, Lucille, who was making her professional stage and television debut. In late 2006 her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, was published on Pan Macmillan. [23] She described how the book took her four years to write, "On and off. I wrote and I didn't write." [23] Byrne reprised her role of Grizabella in the ExitLeft production of Cats, which was staged at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart in late-October 2007. [24]
In April 2009 Byrne played the role of Sue Barnes in Metro Street at its world premiere in Adelaide and its subsequent tour to South Korea, with an appearance at the Daegu International Musical Festival (see Daegu) in June. [25] [26] [27]
From 29 July 2010 to April 2011 she played the role of the Bird Woman in the original Australian production of the stage musical, Mary Poppins at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre. [28] [29] She reprised the role in its Sydney run at the Capitol Theatre. [30] From May to June 2012 Byrne played the role of Claire Christie in the Nine Network's Tricky Business . [31]
From February to March 2014 she appeared on a dramatised crime biography, Fat Tony & Co. , portraying Judy Moran, wife of Lewis Moran who was part of the Carlton Crew which were involved in the Melbourne gangland killings. [32] Fat Tony & Co. focused on the rise and fall of convicted drug mastermind, Tony Mokbel, [33] and is an offshoot to the first series of Underbelly (February–May 2008). [32] Byrne described her portrayal of Moran "You'd be surprised what I wear as Judy that's from my own wardrobe [...] There's a definite air of the theatrical about her and a lot of what I saw Judy wearing ... I thought she wore some really nice clothes. Everything she wore was so over the top." [32]
In 2016 she took the role of Carlotta Campion in a concert version of Follies at the Melbourne Recital Hall for a limited run of three performances in May. [34] In August she worked with Vika Bull in their Carole King tribute show, Tapestry. [35] [36] In late 2016, Byrne appeared on the third series of ABC comedy, Upper Middle Bogan .
From 2017 through to 2019, she toured with Vika Bull in their Carole King tribute show 'Tapestry'.
In mid 2019, she is set to play the Beggar Woman in a production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opposite Anthony Warlow and Gina Riley .
Year | Title | Role | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Caravan Holiday | as herself | as Debbie Byrne |
1985 | Rebel | Kathy McLeod | as Debbie Byrne |
Year | Title | Role | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Brian and the Juniors | Regular member | as Debbie Byrne |
1971-1975 | Young Talent Time | Regular team member | as Debbie Byrne |
1972 | The Graham Kennedy Show | performs "Top of the World" | as Debbie Byrne |
1973 | Australian Popular Song Festival 1973 | Guest Performer | TV special |
1973 | Ted Hamilton's New Wave | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1974 | It's Magic | Special Guest | TV series, Episode 4 |
1974 | The 16th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1974 | Ted Hamilton's Musical World | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1974-1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1974-1975 | TV Week King of Pop | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
1974 | Countdown | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | Countdown | performs "Boogie Man" | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | The 17th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | TV Week King of Pop | performs rock medley | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | The Graham Kennedy Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1975-1983 | The Don Lane Show | performs "How Can I Tell You" | as Debbie Byrne |
1975-1976 | The National Record Industry Awards | performs "Tell Sonny Not To Come" | as Debbie Byrne |
1975 | The Norman Gunston Show | performs "Da Doo Run Run" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | It's Cliff Richard & Friends (UK) | performs "It Only Happens" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | The 1976 Australian Popular Song Festival | performs "There'll Never Be A Way" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | Young Talent Time | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | The Mike Walsh Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | The National Record Industry Awards | performs "This Is Your City/Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | Bandstand '76 | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
1976 | Ernie | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks | guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | The Celebrity Game | guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
1977,1979 | Six Tonight | Guest - Herself | TV special |
1977 | Countdown | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | Telethon '77 | Herself - Guest Performer | TV special |
1977 | King Of Pop: 1977 TV Week Australian Popular Music Awards | Guest - Herself | TV special |
1977 | Music for the People Concert | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | The Don Lane Show | performs "Dirty 'Ol Man" | as Debbie Byrne |
1977 | Telethon: First Hour | Guest - Herself | TV special |
1977 | Soundcheck | Herself - Guest judge | TV pilot |
1978 | The 1978 Australian Popular Song Festival | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1978 | Cop Shop | Kerry Clements | 3 Episodes |
1978 | The Paul Hogan Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
1978 | The Saturday Show | as Debbie Byrne | 27 episodes |
1978 | Barry Humphries Special: Dame Edna Farewell To Melbourne | Guest Performer | TV special |
1979 | Young Talent Time 8th Birthday Special | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
1979 | TV Follies | Jill Johnson / Laura Summers | as Debbie Byrne |
1979 | Six Tonight | Guest - Herself | TV special |
1979 | Sammy Awards | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
1980 | Telethon '80 | Herself | TV special |
1980 | Farnham and Byrne | as Debbie Byrne | Host and performer, 9 Episodes |
1980-1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Regular performer | as Debbie Byrne |
1981 | The 21st Annual TV Week Logie Awards | performs "I've Got the Music In Me" | as Debbie Byrne |
1981 | Young Talent Time 10th Birthday Special | performs "I Don't Know How to Love Him" | as Debbie Byrne |
1981 | Countdown | performs "Tears" | as Debbie Byrne |
1981 | Parkinson In Australia | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1982 | Ten Eyewitness News | News report | as Debbie Byrne |
1982 | The Don Lane Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
1983 | Countdown Music & Video Awards | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
1983 | The Don Lane Show | performs "Why Don't You Move In With Me Today" | as Debbie Byrne |
1984-1996 | The Annual Carols By Candlelight | Performer | as Debbie Byrne/Debra Bryne |
1985-1998 | The Midday Show | Regular performer | as Debbie 1993-98 Debra |
1985 | Blankety Blanks | Guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
1985 | The Mike Walsh Show | Herself - Guest with Suzi Quatro | TV series, 1 episode |
1985-1998 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Regular performer | as Debbie 1993-98 Debra |
1985 | Sounds | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1985 | Star Search | Guest performer | as Debbie Byrne |
1986-1987 | Australia Day Concert | Performer | as Debbie Byrne |
1986 | Young Talent Time 15th Birthday Spectacular | performs "Tell Him" | as Debbie Byrne |
1986 | Late Night with Jono and Dano | performs "Heroes" | as Debbie Byrne |
1986 | The Two Ronnies in Australia | performs "So Sad the Song" | as Debbie Byrne |
1987;1989 | Rafferty's Rules | Sally Edwards/Tricia Rogan | 2 Episodes |
1987 | Have a Go | Guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
1988 | The N.S.W. Royal Bicentennial Concert | performs "You're the Voice" and "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debbie Byrne |
1989 | The Bert Newton Show | Regular performer | as Debbie Byrne |
1988 | Young Talent Time 17th Birthday Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
1988 | Olympathon | Guest Performer | TV special |
1988,1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Walking After Midnight" | TV series, 1 episode |
1988 | Life Education Television Appeal | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
1989 | The Bert Newton Show | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
1989,1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself sings "Seven Lonely Nights" | TV series, 1 episode |
1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself sings "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody" | TV series, 1 episode |
1989 | In Melbourne Today | Performs "Nature's Lament" | TV series, 1 episode |
1990-1993 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
1990,1990 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Way Over Yonder" | TV series, 1 episode |
1990 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Little By Little" | TV series, 1 episode |
1991 | 1991 TV Week Logie Awards | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
1991;1999 | What's Cooking | as Debbie Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
1991 | The Big Square Eye | as Debbie Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
1991;1992 | Police Rescue | Maria Mellick / Tricia Mellick | 2 Episodes |
1991 | Rugby League: First Test. Australia Vs New Zealand | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | TV special |
1991 | 1991 Coca-Cola Australian Music Awards | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
1991 | Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune | Guest - Contestant with Chelsea Brown & Guy Leach | TV series, 1 episode |
1992 | G.P. | Helen Cartwright | 1 Episodes |
1992 | 1992 Aria Music Awards | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
1992 | Home and Away | Julia Bowman | 44 episodes |
1992 | John Farnham's 25th Anniversary Special | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
1992 | The Flying Doctors | Guest role: Andrea Griffin | TV series, Season 9, 1 episode 19: Yesterday's News |
1992 | Dancin' Dynamite | Performer as Debbie Byrne | ABC TV special |
1992 | The Main Event | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
1992 | Burke's Backyard | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
1993-2005 | Good Morning Australia | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
1993 | Tonight 'Live | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
1993 | Ray Martin's Top Sorts and Superstars | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
1993 | Law of the Land | Jean Jardine | Regular |
1993 | Getaway | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
1993-95 | Ernie and Denise | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
1993 | Sunday | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Live It Up | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Kate Ceberano and Friends | Performs "So Soon" | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Review | Guest presenter | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Concert for Rwanda | Performs "Diamond In the Rough" | as Debra Byrne |
1994;1998 | Today | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Midday With Derryn Hinch | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Australia's Best for the Bush Concert | Performs "Hard Times" | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | Great Moments in Australian Theatre | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | AFL Today Grand Final | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debra Byrne |
1994 | World Vision: Vision for a Better World Appeal | Performs "So Soon" | as Debra Byrne |
1995 | Naked: Stories of Men | Sharon | 1 Episode |
1995; 1996 | Sale of the Century | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode "Music" |
1995 | This Is Your Life | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
1995 | The Challenge Concert for Spina Bifida | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
1995 | A Current Affair: The Challenge | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
1995;1999 | Eleven AM | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
1995 | Don't Forget Your Toothbrush | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
1996 | Sale of the Century | Contestant | TV series, 2 episodes: "Logies Super Challenge |
1996 | Today Tonight | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1996 | Witness | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1996 | This Is Your Life: The Showbiz Greats | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
1997 | Oz Encounters: UFO's In Australia | Voice & writer | as Debra Byrne |
1997 | When Rock Was Young: The 70s | Archive clip: Performs "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from YTT | as Debbie Byrne |
1997 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1997;1998 | In Melbourne Tonight | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
1998; 2003 | Today | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1998 | State Coroner | Tracy Dabovich | 1 Episode |
1998 | Laws | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1999;2001 | Beauty and the Beast | as Debra Byrne | |
1998 | The Mike Walsh Show Years | as Debra Byrne | Performer |
1998 | Seven Nightly News | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
1999 | What's Cooking | as Debbie Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
1999 | Eleven AM | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
1999;2001 | Denise | performs "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" | as Debra Byrne |
1999 | Rugby League NRL Grand Final | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debra Byrne |
2001 | 2001 Royal Children's Hospital Variety Gala | Herself as performer | TV special |
2001 | Denise | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
2001 | Today Tonight | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
2001 | Beauty and the Beast | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
2001 | Young Talent Time Tells All | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV special |
2001 | An Audience with John Farnham | Guest as Debra Byrne (Audience member) | TV special |
2002 | The Secret Life of Us | Peta | TV series, 4 episodes |
2003 | Love Is In the Air | Guest as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode "She’s Leaving Home" |
2003 | This Is Your Life: 10 Year Celebration | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV special |
2003; 2014 | Today | Guest - Herself with Johnny Young, John Bowles & Jeremey Kewley (Young Talent Time Dvd Launch) | TV series, 1 episode |
2003 | Young Talent Time: The Collection | Herself as Debra Byrne | DVD video |
2006 | Studio A with Simon Burke | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
2005/2006 | Spicks and Specks | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | How the Hell Did We Get Here? | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | Today Tonight | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | 9am | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | Spicks and Specks | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2006 | Spicks & Specks: Another Specky Christmas | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2007 | City Homicide | Marijke Sharman | 1 Episode |
2007-2008 | 20 to 1 | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2008 | Uncovering the Cover of Celebrities | Guest as Debra Byrne | Web series |
2009 | Bent TV | Guest as Debra Byrne | Web series |
2009 | Wrok Down | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2010 | The Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Presenter | as Debra Byrne |
2010 | Postcards | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
2010 | Nine News | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2010 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2011 | Love Dream Believe | as Debra Byrne | Web series |
2011 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2011 | Mary Poppins: Behind the Scenes | Bird Lady | as Debra Byrne |
2011 | Helpmann Awards | Presenter | as Debra Byrne |
2012 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
2012 | Tricky Business | Claire Christie | Lead role, 13 Episodes |
2012 | ABC News | as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
2014 | Today | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
2014 | Fat Tony & Co. | Judy Moran | Recurring role, 6 Episodes |
2016 | Today Extra | Herself - Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
2016 | News Breakfast | Guest as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
2016 | Upper Middle Bogan | Susan | Guest role, 1 episode |
2017 | Underbelly Files: Chopper | Judy Moran | Recurring role, 2 Episodes |
2021, 2023 | Studio 10 | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
2021 | Australian Open Tennis | performs "I Am Woman" with Angie Hart | TV special |
2023 | The Morning Show | Herself - Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
2023 | Studio 10 | Herself - Guest & Peter Phelps | TV series, 1 episode |
2023 | Studio 10 10th Birthday Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985-1987 | Cats | Grizabella | Australian Tour |
1986 | Jerry's Girls | as Herself | Australian Tour |
1987-1990 | Les Misérables | Fantine | Australian Tour |
1995 | Hot Shoe Shuffle | April | Australian Tour |
1996-1997 | Sunset Boulevard | Norma Desmond | Australian Tour |
2003 | Minefields and Miniskirts | The Nurse | Malthouse Theatre |
2006 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Muzzie | Arts Centre Melbourne |
2007 | Little Me | Belle Portine | Arts Centre Melbourne |
2007 | Cats | Grizabella | Derwent Entertainment Centre |
2008 | Follies | Sally Durant Plummer | Arts Centre Melbourne |
2008 | High School Musical | Mrs. Darbus | Derwent Entertainment Centre |
2009 | Metro Street | Sue Barnes | Australian and Asian Tour |
2010-2012 | Mary Poppins | Bird Woman | Australian Tour |
2016 | Follies | Carlotta Campion | Concert Version |
2019 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | The Beggar Woman | Australian Tour |
2023 | La Cage Aux Folles | Jacqueline | Australian Tour |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2002 | Girls, Girls, Girls | With Wendy Stapleton and Nikki Nichols |
2013 | Last Man Standing | Arts Centre Melbourne |
2017 | Tapestry | With Vika Bull |
Debra Anne Byrne was born on 30 March 1957 in Fitzroy to Norman Owen Byrne (born ca. 1928 –2014) and Verna Alice née Reid (ca. 1930 –1980). [1] : 2, 10 She was the fifth of six children, her siblings are Lynda (died 2002), Cheryl, Sandra (died 1970), Peter and Robyn. [1] : 2, 63 She also has a younger half sister, Rebecca. Norman worked as an engineering foreman; he became violent when drunk. [1] : 2–18 [37] According to Byrne she was sexually abused by her maternal grandfather, Ken Reid, from a young age until 13. [1] : 55–58, 344 [37] In 1993 Byrne dropped the usage of "Debbie" as her first name. [38]
During her stint in Young Talent Time Byrne had a sexual relationship with "Michael", an on-set boom-camera operator: she was under-age and he was more than ten years older. [1] : 68–102 [39] She later recalled, "I didn't feel protected at all. The attitude was, 'It's over now, it's finished', but this was personal and embarrassing and humiliating and distressing ... Parents need to be aware that even now, with the best protections in place, there's going to be someone who cares more for the product than the child. No law can change that." [39]
In February 1975 she was hospitalised due to "a nervous collapse brought on by a strenuous touring campaign." [40] Her support slot on a tour for United States singer, Gene Pitney, was taken up by Samantha Sang. [40] Byrne described how "I was drinking, smoking, barely eating, and spending a lot of time in hotel rooms fighting anxiety and depression." [1] : 132
By October 1978 Byrne was married to David John Dudley (born ca. 1956) and the couple lived in Elwood. [1] : 132, 148 In that month the pair were cleared of drugs charges; Byrne declared that "she knew of some entertainers who had 'come to grief' by being associated with drugs. She had been to one or two parties where drugs were being used but she did not mix with that section of the entertainment industry." [41] Later she recalled meeting Dudley at a party where her "latest boyfriend was an everyday dope smoker and I loved the freedom the drug gave me." [1] : 132 They had a daughter together, Arja. Her marriage to Dudley broke-up in 1980 and her mother died in that year. [42]
Debra gave birth to her second daughter, Lauren, who was fathered by director Chris Webb.
During 1987 while rehearsing for her role of Fantine in the Australian theatre production of Les Misérables , Byrne met fellow actor, Neil Melville. [43] By June 1989 the couple were planning their wedding. [44] Byrne and Melville separated in November 1996 and later divorced. [45]
Byrne's performances as Norma Desmond on Sunset Boulevard from October 1996 to June 1997 were interrupted by "her frequent and sudden absences from the show [which] were partially blamed for the show's lack of success" despite "great critical notices." [46] She had attempted suicide late in 1997 and was being treated by a psychiatrist to feel "more focused and driven than ever before." [46] She was diagnosed with clinical depression and undertook a course of prescription medication. [46] In March 1998 she told Peter Ford of Playbill that "Nobody ever bothered to investigate if that was my major problem, when finally I had a label for my troubles it was a great relief." [46]
Byrne was the domestic partner of French musician, Ced Le Meledo, with whom she collaborated on the live show, Paris-Melbourne. They had one daughter together, Lucille Le Meledo (b. 12 July 2000). The couple separated in 2006. Her daughter eventually made her theatrical debut in 2011 as the title role in Annie.
[47] In that same year her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, was released and described by her publisher as "the real story of her gritty, sometimes perilous existence as she chased her career, became addicted to heroin and finally rehabilitated herself". [23]
As of 2019, she lives in Melbourne with her daughter Lucille and two of her grandsons whom she has custody of.
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
ARIA Music Awards of 1992 | Caught in the Act | Best Adult Contemporary Album | Nominated |
The King of Pop Awards were voted by the readers of TV Week. The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978. [48]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1974 | herself | Queen of Pop | Won |
1975 | herself | Queen of Pop | Won |
The Logie Awards (officially the TV Week Logie Awards) is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by magazine TV Week, with the first ceremony in 1959. The awards represent both public and industry voted awards.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1974 [49] | herself | Best Teenage Personality | Won |
1975 [50] | herself | Best Teenage Personality | Won |
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Byrne won three awards in that time. [51]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | Debbie Byrne | Female Vocal Entertainer of the Year | Won |
1988 | Debbie Byrne | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
1989 | Debbie Byrne | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
Young Talent Time is an Australian television variety program produced by Lewis-Young Productions and screened on Network Ten. The original series ran from 1971 until 1988 and was hosted by singer-songwriter and record producer Johnny Young for its entire run. The show was briefly revived by Network Ten in 2012 and was hosted by singer and actor Rob Mills.
Johnny Young is a Dutch Australian singer, composer, record producer, disc jockey, television producer and host. Originally from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, his family settled in Perth in the early 1950s. Young was a 1960s pop singer and had a number-one hit with the double-A-sided single, "Step Back" and a cover of the Strangeloves' "Cara-lyn" in 1966. Young's profile was enhanced by a concurrent stint as host of TV pop music program The Go!! Show. Also in the mid-1960s, Young toured with the Rolling Stones and supported Roy Orbison.
Denise Anne Christina Drysdale is an Australian television presenter, variety entertainer, actress, singer, dancer and comedian. She is often affectionately known as 'Ding Dong', a nickname invented by fellow performer Ernie Sigley. She was formerly a co-host of the morning show Studio 10.
Debra Lawrance is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role on Home and Away, as Pippa Ross, which she played from 1990 to 1998 and in a number of subsequent return appearances, the most recent being in 2009.
The 16th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday, 8 March 1974 at Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne and broadcast on the Nine Network. Bert Newton was the Master of Ceremonies. Italian film star Gina Lollobrigida and American television actors Tige Andrews, David Cassidy and Macdonald Carey appeared as guests.
The 17th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday 7 March 1975 at Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne and broadcast on the Nine Network. It was the first time the Awards were telecast in Colour. Bert Newton from the Nine Network was the Master of Ceremonies. American film star John Wayne and television actors Lee Majors and William Conrad, British actor Edward Woodward and his wife Michele Dotrice, and Australian-born British television stars Keith Michell and Diane Cilento appeared as guests. Each of the guest presenters were given special souvenir Logies.
Jessica Tovey is an Australian actress. Tovey graduated from the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and has made appearances for various drama companies. She is best known for her role of Belle Taylor on the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away. Tovey joined the show in 2006 and was nominated for two Logie Awards during her time there. In 2009, she announced she had quit Home and Away and her character was killed off. Tovey became the face of American shoe company, Skechers. She appeared in Underbelly: The Golden Mile in 2010 and Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo in 2011.
Julia Carolyn Margaret Morris is an Australian comedian, television presenter and actress who has worked extensively in Australian television and radio, touring the country with her solo comedy shows. She relocated to the United Kingdom in 2000, appearing on British television, then returned to Australia in 2007. She lived on the Central Coast for her childhood. She currently co-hosts Network 10's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Australia alongside Robert Irwin and also narrates Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia.
Lorrae Desmond was an Australian Gold Logie-award-winning singer, recording artist, radio and television presenter, character actor, and playwright, with a career that spanned over 55 years both locally and in the United Kingdom.
Mary Veronica Hardy was an Australian television and radio presenter, actress, writer and comedian. She was best known for her caustic wit, indifference to authority and tireless ability to ad lib. On receiving one of her many Logie Awards, she quipped: “In all sincerity I don’t want to thank anybody”.
Carrie Bickmore is an Australian talk show and current affairs Gold Logie award-winning television and radio presenter. She currently co-hosts a national drive radio show on the Hit Network, Carrie & Tommy, from 3–6pm weeknights alongside Tommy Little. She was previously a co-host on Network 10's The Project from 2009–2022.
Jeanne Mitchell, professionally known as Jeanne Little, was an Australian entertainer, comedienne and television personality who won the Gold Logie award in 1977. Her first success on television was on The Mike Walsh Show which earned her the Gold Logie plus two other Logies. Other television of appearances include Midday with Ray Martin and GMA with Bert Newton. She became well known for her flamboyant outfits, over-the-top personality and her trademark catch phrase said in a drawling speech of "Oh Dahling".
Jeffrey Travis Andrew Phillips is an Australian TV show host, personality, musical theatre actor and pop singer active from 1966 to the early 1990s. As a pop singer, he had a Top 40 hit on the Go-Set singles chart with a cover version of The Shirelles' 1961 hit, "Baby It's You". At the Logie Awards of 1970, he won the Best New Talent category for hosting his own ABC TV pop show, Sounds Like Us. In the early 1970s he hosted a series of teen pop music shows, Happening '71 and Happening '72. In July 1972 Phillips won a song prize at the Fifth Olympiad of Song, held in Athens, performing his self-written work, "Gloria"; the prize money was 100,000 drachmae. Although he issued further singles, until the early 1980s, he had no other national Top 40 chart success. From July 1985 to October 1987 he appeared in the Australian stage production of Cats in the role of Rum Tum Tugger in both the Sydney run and the Melbourne season; he also performed on the original Australian cast album.
Metro Street is an original Australian musical with book, music and lyrics by Matthew Lee Robinson. It was awarded the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre in 2004, and went through many workshops and readings, including at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2006, before its world premiere season with the State Theatre Company of South Australia in April 2009.
Geraldine Mary Quinn is a songwriter, guitarist, singer, comedian and actor based in Melbourne, Australia. She won the Best Emerging Cabaret Artiste award at the 2006 Green Room Awards (Australia), and was nominated for Original Songs.
Camille Keenan is an actress from New Zealand best known for her roles in Australian TV programmes.
Wendy Anne-Marie Stapleton is an Australian pop/rock singer-songwriter, musical theatre performer and television actress and presenter Stapleton has performed as a backing singer, session musician and a solo artist; she fronted various Melbourne-based groups including Wendy Stapleton Band (1976–1978) and Wendy & the Rocketts [sic] (1980–1985) which had a top 30 hit single with "Play the Game" in June 1983.
Hazel Julia Phillips (née Lovegrove) is a British singer, actress and television talk show personality with a notable career in Australia.
Matt Lee is an Australian dancer and actor. He has starred in Bootmen, We Will Rock You, Rent, Grease, and Mary Poppins for which he won a Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He was a motion capture principal for the Oscar winning film Happy Feet where he brought to life the loveable tap dancing penguin Mumble. He has choreographed for, and worked alongside Paula Abdul, Ricky Martin, Human Nature, Samantha Jade, Hilary Duff and Christine Anu. He was also a judge and choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance.
Elaine McKenna Evans, was an Australian singer and actress. She is known for her television appearances from the late 1950s to the 1960s, particularly on GTV-9's Tarax Show and In Melbourne Tonight. For her TV work, McKenna won the Logie Award for Best Singer in 1961. McKenna relocated to the United States in late 1961. She appeared on The Bob Newhart Show in that year. By February 1968 she had returned to Melbourne.
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