Marg Downey

Last updated

Marg Downey
Born
Margaret Cecilia Louise Downey

(1961-05-05) 5 May 1961 (age 62)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian, writer
Years active1984−present

Marg Downey (born 5 May 1961) is an Australian comedian and actress best known for her roles in The D Generation , Fast Forward and Full Frontal

Contents

Early life and education

Downey grew up in a middle-class Catholic family in the Melbourne suburb of East Malvern in an eight-child family. Her father worked as a chartered accountant. She attended Sacré Cœur School (with fellow comedian Jane Turner) in Glen Iris, and then studied Arts/Law at the University of Melbourne, where she resided at Newman College. At university, she began to perform in university revues, and auditioned for performing arts courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne, but was not successful in gaining entry to any of them. [1]

Career

Downey first rose to prominence in the sketch comedy program The D-Generation on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in the late 1980s. She subsequently appeared in later sketch comedy series with other members of The D-Generation, including Fast Forward , Full Frontal and Something Stupid . In these, she was known for her portrayals of a news anchor, a stern SBS presenter and for her spot-on impression of current affairs host Jana Wendt. Her spoof of "The What's On SBS Presenter" satirised the eccentricity of SBS programming, displaying grim masochistic determination to "not miss a moment of this scintillating entertainment".

Downey starred in the 2001 Network 10 comedy series Sit Down, Shut Up , playing the role of Principal Sue which was played by American comedian Kenan Thompson in the 2009 American Fox television re-make of the original Australian series. The animated American version was produced and written by Mitch Hurwitz, of Arrested Development fame. [2]

In 2005, Downey was cast as a regular player in Seven's live comedy sketch show Let Loose Live , but the show was cancelled after just two episodes due to low ratings. The following year, she appeared in the sketch show Magda's Funny Bits alongside Magda Szubanski. In this show, she recreated her role as infomercial host Janelle, first developed on Fast Forward.

In 2018, she voiced Stanley "Stan" Stinkleton and the narrator in the kids TV series, Kitty Is Not a Cat .

In 2021 Downey joined the cast of ABC Drama The Newsreader in the role of Evelyn Walters, [3] Downey reprised the role for the second series of the show. [4]

Comedy style

Downey's television roles are often authority figures or professional women with slightly eccentric personalities, such as Principal Sue in Sit Down, Shut Up and the "relationship-counselor" Marion seen in comedy series Kath & Kim . On Fast Forward, Marg Downey appeared in a lot of sketches with Steve Vizard, such as Eyeball News, The Midday Show, Candid Camera, The Cosby Show and Get Smart . Downey also played Clancy in the Skippy send-up, and appeared in send-ups of I Dream Of Jeannie , Mr Ed and Bewitched .

Filmography

Film/Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2023Jones Family Christmas [5] Sandra
2021-23 The Newsreader [6] Evelyn Walters12 episodes
2021-22 Fisk (TV series) [7] Lindy2 episodes
2018-19 Kitty Is Not a Cat [8] Narrator/ Stanley82 episodes (voice)
2018 Back In Very Small Business [9] Yvonne Giradoux5 episodes
2017 Get Krack!n McCartney's Mum1 episode
The Other GuyWilma1 episode
Top of the LakeIsadore3 episodes
Newton's Law (TV series) Melinda Whitley1 episode
The BirthMidwifeShort
2016Dogstar: Christmas in Space [10] Alice / Daina / Greta Clark (voice)TV Movie
2015 Open Slather [11] Various20 episodes
2014-15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Evelyn Toohey2 episodes
2014The Flamin' ThongsCrystal Woman (voice)1 episode
2012Exchange Student Zero [12] Happy Peach Flower / Peg (voice)TV Movie
Kath & Kimderella Marion
House Husbands Principal Moon1 episode
2010-12WakkavilleVarious (voice)25 episodes
2012Christmas ClayKateShort
2007-11 Dogstar (TV series) [13] Great / Alice / Daina52 episodes
2010UsNellShort
Oranges and SunshineMiss Hutchinson
City Homicide Jane Clegg1 episode
Matching JackNurse Celia
2009The WakeEllenShort
2008 Very Small Business (TV series) Yvonne1 episode
2007The Starter WifeProper Lady1 episode
2006Nightmares and DreamscapesJudy Diment1 episode
2005Let Loose LiveVarious2 episodes
2002-04 Kath & Kim Marion6 episodes
2004Under the RadarMaxine
2002The Merchant of FairnessMrs Rowe
The Real ThingPsychologist
Guru WayneMrs Marsh
1995-02 Blue Heelers Kaye / Kanga / Karen3 episodes
2002 Queen of the Damned Talamascan
2001 Horace and Tina Mrs Belevedere1 episode
The Bob Downe ShowJanelle1 episode
2000 The New Adventures of Ocean Girl Elgar/ Various10 episodes
Sit Down, Shut Up (2001 TV series) [14] Sue Dirkin13 episodes
The Magic PuddingVarious (voice)
Gloria's HouseVarious (voice)TV Series
Beware of Greeks....Bearing GunsPolicewoman
1999The Late ReportVariousTV Series
1998The Silver BrumbyMrs Dingo/ Eee1 episode
1997-98 Li'l Elvis and the Truckstoppers Janet Rig / Eileen26 episodes
1998Something StupidVarious6 episodes
The GamesRadio Newsreader1 episode
Good Guys Bad GuysGlynnis Filch1 episode
1997Get a LifeThe NannyTV Series
1996Zone 39Computer (voice)
1994Economy ClassSue AthertonTV Movie
1993-94 Full Frontal (Australian TV series) Guest7 episodes
1993The Making of NothingDiane FeustTV Movie
A Royal Commission into the Australian EconomyDame Victoria MarketTV Movie
1989-92 Fast Forward (Australian TV series) Various90 episodes
1922BlighYvette / Frances2 episodes
1991Turn it UpAggieTV Movie
1988-89The D-Generation Goes CommercialVarious4 episodes
1986-87 The D-Generation Various16 episodes
1986The Fast LaneNadene1 episode

Accolades

YearFormatAwardCatergoryResult
2021TelevisionAACTA AwardBest Supporting Actress in a DramaNominated [15]
2024Nominated [16]

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References

  1. ↑ Marshall, Konrad (8 May 2015). "Marg Downey on the Malthouse's 'Timeshare', the SBS woman and getting the D-Gen back together". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Strong debut for Sit Down, Shut Up spin-off". ABC. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2016. Murdoch's Fox TV network this week debuted Sit Down, Shut Up - a show based on the short-lived 2000 Marg Downey - Paul Gleeson Australian comedy of the same name...The original plan was to shoot the US Sit Down, Shut Up as a regular sitcom, but when Fox executives told producer and co-creator Mitchell Hurwitz the script was "too broad" and to revise it, he came up with the animated version
  3. ↑ ""I do feel as though if I've met at least 20 Evelyns in my lifetime!" | TV Tonight". 17 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "Filming underway on the Newsreader S2 | TV Tonight". 11 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Jones Family Christmas | TV Tonight". 22 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Filming underway on the Newsreader | TV Tonight". 26 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "Fisk: Oct 26 | TV Tonight". 23 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Renewed: Kitty is Not a Cat | TV Tonight". 15 October 2019.
  9. ↑ "Cameras roll on Back in Very Small Business | TV Tonight". 4 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Airdate: Dogstar: Christmas in Space | TV Tonight". 6 December 2016.
  11. ↑ "Airdate: Open Slather | TV Tonight". 5 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Airdate: Exchange Student Zero | TV Tonight". 23 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Returning: Dogstar | TV Tonight". 6 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "Australian Television: Sit Down, Shut up".
  15. ↑ "AACTA Awards 2021: Winners | TV Tonight". 9 December 2021.
  16. ↑ "AACTA Awards 2024: Nominees | TV Tonight". 9 December 2023.
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