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{{Short description|Australian actress, singer and comedian (b.1961)}}
[[Image:Kath&Kim.jpg|thumb|right|Riley (right) with ''Kath & Kim'' co-star, Jane Turner.]]
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
'''Gina Riley''', born 16th of [[May]] [[1961]] [[Melbourne]], is an [[Australia]]n [[actor]], [[writer]], [[singer]] and [[comedian]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Gina Riley at Kath & Kimderella movie premiere.jpg
|caption = Riley in character as [[Kim Craig]] at the ''[[Kath & Kimderella]]'' film premiere in August 2012
| name = Gina Riley
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1961|5|6}}
| birth_place = [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actress <br> Writer <br> Comedian <br> Singer
| years_active = 1983–2022
| spouse = Rick McKenna
| parents =
| children = 1
| website =
}}
'''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 show ''[[Fast Forward]]'', its successor ''[[Full Frontal]]'', and the sketch comedy programs with frequent collaborators Turner and [[Magda Szubanski]], ''[[Big Girl's Blouse]]'' and ''[[Something Stupid]]'', where she was also a [[television producer|producer]] and writer. She later appeared in ''[[The Games (television)|The Games]]'', a spoof behind-the-scenes look at the organising committee of the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Olympics]].
Riley became a popular television performer in the sketch shows ''[[Fast Forward (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]'', its successor ''[[Full Frontal (Australian TV series)|Full Frontal]]'', ''[[Big Girl's Blouse]]'' and ''[[Something Stupid (TV series)|Something Stupid]]''.<ref>Turner, Tonya: [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24750164-5003423,00.html Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago], ''[[The Courier-Mail]]'', 5 December 2008.</ref> In the latter she was also a producer and writer. On ''Fast Forward'', Gina Riley sent-up such singers as [[Tina Arena]], [[Paula Abdul]], [[Bette Midler]], [[Sinéad O'Connor]] and [[Dannii Minogue]] as well as Australian personalities [[Kerri-Anne Kennerley]] and [[Jacki MacDonald]]. She later appeared in ''[[The Games (television)|The Games]]'', a spoof behind-the-scenes look at the organising committee of the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Olympics]].<ref>[https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/1388 The Games: Complete Series], ''[[The Games (television)|The Games]]'' ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]).</ref>


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]].<ref>Quinn, Karl: [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/12/1063341759464.html The Magda carta], ''[[The Age]]'', 14 September 2003.</ref>
On Fast Forward Gina Riley sent-up such singers as [[Paula Abdul]], [[Bette Midler]], as well as australian personalities [[Kerri-Anne Kennerly]] and [[Jackie Mcdonald]]. Gina Riely also plated Elanor Lagor on The Saturday Show.


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.
Recently she has enjoyed great success in ''[[Kath & Kim]]'', written, produced and created by Riley and her long time writing partner and friend [[Jane Turner]].


In 2015, Riley appeared in an episode of ''[[Please Like Me]]''.
She is married to a Fox Footy Presenter, Rick McKenna and has a nine-year-old daughter, Maggie.

==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 [[La Mama Theatre (Melbourne)|LaMama Theatre]], in [[Carlton, Victoria]]. The music for the play was composed by [[Joe Dolce]].{{cn|date=June 2023}}

Riley also had roles in musical theatre.<ref>[https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/3812 AusStage - Gina Riley] AusStage. Retrieved 22 February 2015</ref> In 1992 and 1993, she appeared on stage as Janet in ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show|The New Rocky Horror Show]]''; she is included on the cast album. In 1994, she played Trina in [[Sydney Theatre Company]]'s production of ''[[Falsettos]]'', winning a [[Green Room Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role (Music Theatre)|Green Room Award]] for its Melbourne season. In 1998, she played The Baker's Wife in a [[Melbourne Theatre Company]] production of ''[[Into the Woods]]''. In 2009, she played Matron "Mama" Morton in a production of ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]''.<ref>[https://www.news.com.au/news/leaving-kim-for-chicago/news-story/13e4c699963d3f4c15699d0f201e734f "Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago"]. news.com.au.</ref>

In 2019, Riley starred as Mrs. Lovett in ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]'' opposite [[Anthony Warlow]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lifelikecompany.com/|title=TEG Life Like Company – Sweeney Todd starring Anthony Warlow & Gina Riley|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref>

==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 (musical)|Muriel's Wedding]]'' in 2017 and starred as Zoe Murphy in the ''[[Dear Evan Hansen]]'' US National Tour in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Australias-Maggie-McKenna-Completes-Cast-of-DEAR-EVAN-HANSEN-Tour-Taking-on-the-Role-of-Zoe-20180607 |title=Australia's Maggie McKenna Completes Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN Tour Taking on the Role of Zoe}}</ref> Max identifies as trans non-binary.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/melbournes-most-wellknown-nepo-babies/news-story/491e39122656b5af2e2e8f52f7d30abc?amp&nk=e12853e49faa1df511dc88f834b05408-1674159986 |title=Melbourne's most well-known nepo babies}}</ref>

In March 2013 Riley revealed she was being treated for breast cancer. It was later reported that she has since made a full recovery.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Kath--Kim-star-Gina-Riley-battling-breast-cancer/tabid/418/articleID/290871/Default.aspx | work= 3 News NZ | title= Kath & Kim star battling cancer | date= 19 March 2013 | access-date= 18 March 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140227062026/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kath--Kim-star-Gina-Riley-battling-breast-cancer/tabid/418/articleID/290871/Default.aspx | archive-date= 27 February 2014 | url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Coster|first=Alice|date=28 December 2020|title=Jane Turner jumps to it for Melbourne Theatre Company|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/jane-turner-jumps-to-it-for-melbourne-theatre-company/news-story/372ceb6958feb444b37853153353c1dc|website=[[Herald Sun]]}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s912721.htm Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath and Kim)], ''[[Enough Rope]]'' with [[Andrew Denton]], [[ABC TV (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]], 28 July 2003.</ref>

==Filmography==
(as performer)
{|class="wikitable"
! 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 (Australian TV series)|Fast Forward]]''
| 1990-1992
| Various
|-
| ''[[Bligh (TV series)|Bligh]]'' (TV series)
| 1992
| Elizabeth Macarthur
|-
| ''A Royal Commission into the Australian Economy'' (TV movie)
| 1992
| Peter Harvey
|-
| ''[[Full Frontal (Australian TV series)|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)|Something Stupid]]'' (TV series)
| 1998
|Various
|-
| ''[[The Games (Australian TV series)|The Games]]'' (TV series)
| 1998-2000
| Gina
|-
| ''[[Bob Downe|The Bob Downe Show]]''
| 2000-2003
| Coralee Hollow
|-
| ''[[Kath & Kim]]'' (TV series)
| 2002-2007
| [[Kim Craig|Kimberly "Kim" Day Craig]]/Trude/Robyn Nevinish
|-
| ''[[Bad Eggs]]''
| 2003
| AMW Host
|-
| ''[[Da Kath & Kim Code]]'' (TV movie)
| 2005
| Kim Craig/Trude
|-
| ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|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 series)|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==
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|0727041|Gina Riley}}
{{wikiquote}}
*[https://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2009/05/05/1241289159184.html Look at moi: The many faces of Gina Riley] (photo gallery), ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''
*[http://kathandkim.com/ Kath & Kim]

*[http://www.abc.net.au/thegames The Games]
{{Authority control}}
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727041/ Gina Riley @ IMDb]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Gina}}
=== Fansites ===
[[Category:1961 births]]
* [http://www.clutchingatspanners.com/ Clutching At Spanners]
[[Category:Living people]]
* [http://www.foxymorons.net/ FoxyMorons.net]
[[Category:1961 births|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Actresses from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Living people|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Australian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Australian comedians|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Australian women comedians]]
[[Category:People of Melbourne|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Comedians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Australian screenwriters|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Australian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Australian television actors|Riley, Gina]]
[[Category:Australian film actresses]]
[[Category:Australian television actresses]]
[[Category:Writers from Melbourne]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian actresses]]

Latest revision as of 09:40, 31 March 2024

Gina Riley
Riley in character as Kim Craig at the Kath & Kimderella film premiere in August 2012
Born (1961-05-06) 6 May 1961 (age 63)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)Actress
Writer
Comedian
Singer
Years active1983–2022
SpouseRick McKenna
Children1

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[edit]

Riley became a popular television performer in the sketch shows Fast Forward, its successor Full Frontal, Big Girl's Blouse and Something Stupid.[1] In the latter she was also a producer and writer. On Fast Forward, Gina Riley sent-up such singers as Tina Arena, Paula Abdul, Bette Midler, Sinéad O'Connor and Dannii Minogue as well as Australian personalities Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Jacki MacDonald. She later appeared in The Games, a spoof behind-the-scenes look at the organising committee of the Sydney Olympics.[2]

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[edit]

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.[4] In 1992 and 1993, she appeared on stage as Janet in The New Rocky Horror Show; she is included on the cast album. In 1994, she played Trina in Sydney Theatre Company's production of Falsettos, winning a Green Room Award for its Melbourne season. In 1998, she played The Baker's Wife in a Melbourne Theatre Company production of Into the Woods. In 2009, she played Matron "Mama" Morton in a production of Chicago.[5]

In 2019, Riley starred as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opposite Anthony Warlow.[6]

Personal life[edit]

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[edit]

(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[edit]

  1. ^ Turner, Tonya: Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago, The Courier-Mail, 5 December 2008.
  2. ^ The Games: Complete Series, The Games (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
  3. ^ Quinn, Karl: The Magda carta, The Age, 14 September 2003.
  4. ^ AusStage - Gina Riley AusStage. Retrieved 22 February 2015
  5. ^ "Gina Riley leaves Kim for a spell in Chicago". news.com.au.
  6. ^ "TEG Life Like Company – Sweeney Todd starring Anthony Warlow & Gina Riley". Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Australia's Maggie McKenna Completes Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN Tour Taking on the Role of Zoe".
  8. ^ "Melbourne's most well-known nepo babies".
  9. ^ "Kath & Kim star battling cancer". 3 News NZ. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  10. ^ Coster, Alice (28 December 2020). "Jane Turner jumps to it for Melbourne Theatre Company". Herald Sun.
  11. ^ Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath and Kim), Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, ABC TV, 28 July 2003.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gina_Riley&oldid=1216491577"