Gina Riley
Gina Riley | |
---|---|
Born | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | 6 May 1961
Occupation(s) | Actress Writer Comedian Singer |
Years active | 1983–2022 |
Spouse | Rick McKenna |
Children | 1 |
Gina Riley (born 6 May 1961) is a retired Australian actress, writer, singer and comedian, known for portraying Kim Craig in the television series Kath & Kim, and for her work in musical theatre.
Television and film
Riley became a popular television performer in the sketch shows
She has enjoyed great success as Kim Craig in Kath & Kim, written and created by Riley and her long-time writing partner and friend Jane Turner. Riley also works frequently with Magda Szubanski.[3]
Riley starred as Kim in the Kath and Kim feature film Kath & Kimderella. The film opened in Australia on 6 September 2012 and despite negative reviews from critics it was a box office success having grossed $6,150,771.
In 2015, Riley appeared in an episode of Please Like Me.
Stage
In 1987, she played the part of 'Chrissie' (loosely based on rock singer Chrissy Amphlett) in Phil Motherwell's musical play Fitzroy Crossing which enjoyed successful seasons and rave reviews at LaMama Theatre, in Carlton, Victoria. The music for the play was composed by Joe Dolce.[citation needed]
Riley also had roles in musical theatre.
In 2019, Riley starred as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opposite Anthony Warlow.[6]
Personal life
Riley is married to Rick McKenna. They are parents to Max McKenna (born 1996) a singer and actor who portrayed Muriel in the original Sydney production of Muriel's Wedding in 2017 and starred as Zoe Murphy in the Dear Evan Hansen US National Tour in 2018.[7] Max identifies as trans non-binary.[8]
In March 2013 Riley revealed she was being treated for breast cancer. It was later reported that she has since made a full recovery.[9][10]
Riley makes relatively few public appearances as herself. One notable exception was on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, where she and Turner both appeared as themselves.[11]
Filmography
(as performer)
Title | Year | Role |
---|---|---|
The Sullivans (TV series) | 1983 | Elsie |
Six of the Best (TV series) | 1984 | Sal |
While You're Down There (TV series) | 1986 | Various |
Just Us | 1986 | Cathy |
100% Wool | 1986 | Therese |
Acropolis Now (TV series) | 1990 | Demi Cashimedes |
Fast Forward | 1990-1992 | Various |
Bligh (TV series) | 1992 | Elizabeth Macarthur |
A Royal Commission into the Australian Economy (TV movie) | 1992 | Peter Harvey |
Full Frontal (TV series) | 1993 | Guest performer |
The Making of Nothing (TV movie) | 1993 | Lyndall Roberts |
Big Girl's Blouse (TV series) | 1994 | Various |
Something Stupid (TV series) | 1998 | Various |
The Games (TV series) | 1998-2000 | Gina |
The Bob Downe Show
|
2000-2003 | Coralee Hollow |
Kath & Kim (TV series) | 2002-2007 | Kimberly "Kim" Day Craig/Trude/Robyn Nevinish |
Bad Eggs | 2003 | AMW Host |
Da Kath & Kim Code (TV movie) | 2005 | Kim Craig/Trude |
Little Britain: Down Under (TV movie documentary) | 2007 | Kim Day Craig |
Kath & Kimderella (feature film) | 2012 | Kim Craig (nee Day)/Trude |
Kath & Kim Kountdown | 2013 | Kim Craig |
Holding the Man | 2015 | Popcorn seller (uncredited) |
Open Slather (TV series) | 2015 | Various |
The Beautiful Lie (TV miniseries) | 2015 | Catherine Ballantyne |
Please Like Me (TV series) | 2015-2016 | Donna |
How to Life (TV series) | 2017 | Charlotte Shelton |
Our Effluent Life: Kath and Kim (TV miniseries) | 2022 | Kim Craig |
References
- ^ Turner, Tonya: Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago, The Courier-Mail, 5 December 2008.
- The Games (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
- ^ Quinn, Karl: The Magda carta, The Age, 14 September 2003.
- ^ AusStage - Gina Riley AusStage. Retrieved 22 February 2015
- ^ "Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago". news.com.au.
- ^ "TEG Life Like Company – Sweeney Todd starring Anthony Warlow & Gina Riley". Retrieved 22 June 2019.
- ^ "Australia's Maggie McKenna Completes Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN Tour Taking on the Role of Zoe".
- ^ "Melbourne's most well-known nepo babies".
- ^ "Kath & Kim star battling cancer". 3 News NZ. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- ^ Coster, Alice (28 December 2020). "Jane Turner jumps to it for Melbourne Theatre Company". Herald Sun.
- ^ Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath and Kim), Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, ABC TV, 28 July 2003.
External links
- Gina Riley at IMDb
- Look at moi: The many faces of Gina Riley (photo gallery), The Sydney Morning Herald