Jennifer Saunders Bio - Jennifer Saunders Biography

Jennifer Saunders: Biography

Born in 1958 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, into an RAF family, Jennifer Saunders originally trained to be a teacher at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. It was here that she met and, later, forged a friendship with Dawn French. They later shared a flat together and towards the end of their programme started writing and performing comedy together. Jennifer was not a thorough academic and when she finished at the School did not go on to become a teacher. But, by chance Jennifer spotted an advertisment from the Comic Strip calling for a pair of comediennes. The rest, as they say, is history. French & Saunders have become one of Britain's most cherished double-acts, making mirth through the late Eighties and throughout the Nineties. As well as her commitment to Dawn French, Jennifer has freely pursued her own comedy ideas. Her name will forever be associated with 'Absolutely Fabulous' which won worldwide acclaim and cult status. Jennifer is married to the comedian Adrian Edmondson who played in the BBC comedy series 'The Young Ones' and 'Bottom' with Rik Mayall. They appeared together on TV in the 1998 French & Saunders Christmas Special in which Adrian played harassed 'Titanic' director James Macaroon. Jennifer Saunders has three daughters Freya, Beattie and Ella.

Jennifer Saunders, and her husband Adrian Edmondson received an Honorary Degree from Exeter University in 2007.(edit)
Jennifer attended the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.(edit)
Jennifer's astrological sign is Cancer, represented by a crab.(edit)
In January 2005 Jennifer won a People's Choice Award for "Favorite Movie Villain" for playing the wicked Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2.(edit)
Jennifer made a cameo appearance in the Spice Girls movie Spice World. Years after the group split, Emma Bunton guest starred in Absolutely Fabulous' fifth series.(edit)
Saunders' hit television show, Absolutely Fabulous, was originally a sketch on French and Saunders, where the daughter (later named Saffron) was played by partner Dawn French.(edit)
In 2003, Jennifer was listed in the English newspaper The Observer as one of the '50 Funniest Acts in British Comedy.'
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In 2001, Jennifer and her comedy partner Dawn French declined an offer for both of them to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in honour of their "services to comedy drama".(edit)
Jennifer's agent is Maureen Vincent, whose other clients include colleagues Ruby Wax, Dawn French and June Whitfield.(edit)
In 1991, she won the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for scripting French and Saunders. She this award for the second time in 1993.(edit)
In 2002 Jennifer won the Honorary Rose Award alongside Dawn French.(edit)
In 1993 Jennifer won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy for her show Absolutely Fabulous.(edit)
Jennifer has three daughters; Ella, Beatrice and Freya, with actor/comedian husband Adrian Edmondson.(edit)

Jennifer: You see, what I really like is being an observer. I just like a good old look.
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Jennifer: I grew up with a mother who, every time she saw something, would say, "I'm going to look that up". And I've become that person - I've become the reference-book person. (edit)
Jennifer: I'd much rather have sat there and just been a fly on the wall, instead of having to smile at people. I'd rather have been a waitress. Just gone round and stared at people.(edit)