Claudia Byatt
TV

Two decades of Kath & Kim

It has been 21 years since Kath & Kim graced the screens and became one of Australia’s most beloved series.

Arguably one of the most quotable TV shows, it saw Gina Riley and Jane Turner rise to fame.

Turner, who plays Kath in the hit comedy, became a representative for the United Nations during and after the show, travelling to refugee camps and assisting charity efforts in Africa.

She then made her theatrical debut in London in 2021, performing in the Aussie play, Holding the Man.

Her real-life personality isn’t so similar to Kath, "I'm actually quite a shy person, quite reserved," she told The Age in 2004.

"I hate seeing myself on film and hearing my voice ... It's quite hard to be yourself, I think. Maybe that's why a lot of actors are actors – because they get to cover up and hide.”

Turner is now 62 and married with three children.

As for Kim, Gina Riley appeared in the drama series The Beautiful Lie and the comedy Please Like Me.

She also starred in a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller North by Northwest in 2015. She’s also appeared in stage adaptations of Into the Woods and Chicago.

In 2013, Riley revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was fortunately caught early and she made a full recovery post-treatment.

Riley, 62, is married to Rick McKenna and they share a daughter Maddie, who is also an actress. 

Image credit: Getty

Tags:
Kath and Kim, Anniversary, Comedy, TV