Dawn French is the quintessential female comedian, blessed with the looks and demeanor to make anyone laugh. Despite the fact that she had never been conventionally beautiful since childhood, her father bolstered her confidence by telling her she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She received an excellent education and was exposed to a variety of extracurricular activities as the daughter of a Royal Air Force employee. Naturally endowed with an eccentric sense of humour, the vivacious and self-assured lady was cocky and boisterous as a teen. She had always had an interest in debating and theatre and thus chose to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She is best known today as a member of the extremely popular comedy duo French and Saunders, which she formed with Jennifer Saunders, whom she met in college. As unlikely as it may seem, the two women initially despised one another and would never have imagined working together! However, fate had other plans, and the two hilarious ladies teamed up to form one of the most hilarious female comedy duos of the modern era. She is also a published author, having penned the bestselling autobiography ‘Dear Fatty’.
Childhood & Adolescence
Denys Vernon French and Felicity O’Brien are her parents. Gary is her only brother. Her father was a Royal Air Force officer.
She began her education at St. Dundtan’s Abbey School and later transferred to Caistor Grammar School. She was given the opportunity to study at the Spence School in New York after winning a debating scholarship.
Her father was instrumental in instilling confidence and a sense of self-worth in his daughter. Although he suffered from depression himself, he never allowed it to affect his children. He was constantly telling Dawn how beautiful and precious she was, which contributed significantly to her success as a woman.
She enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1977 and met Jennifer Saunders there. The two girls had grown up in the same neighborhood but had never met. They initially felt dislike for one another, though this would change in the future.
French and Saunders shared a flat during their college years and were required to collaborate on projects. They became friends after getting to know one another. Following graduation, they formed the Menopause Sisters, a comedy act.
The duo rose to prominence in the 1980s as members of the alternative comics scene known as the Comic Strip. The ladies were completely unafraid in their performance and exhibited a high level of innovation and vitality.
In 1982, a television comedy series titled ‘The Comic Strip Presents…’ premiered. Along with French and Saunders, the series featured Nigel Planner, Peter Richardson, and Alexei Sayle.
F
rench made her debut in ‘The Comic Strip Presents…’ episode ‘Five Go Mad in Dorset’ and went on to appear in 27 of the series’ episodes; she also wrote two of them.
Martin Lewis, a comedian and producer, released a Comic Strip comedy album featuring French and Saunders. The album, which was released in 1981, introduced her to a wider audience.
French and Saunders were gaining considerable popularity as a duo and decided to launch their own show. ‘French & Saunders’ premiered in 1987. In their sketches, the duo parodied celebrities such as Cher, Madonna, and the Spice
Girls. The show aired for twenty years, with the final episode airing in 2007. She also worked on solo projects and was a cast member of the BBC’s dark comedy series ‘Murder Most Horrid’, which premiered in 1991. The series, which ran until 1999, mocked thrillers and murder mysteries.
Director Richard Curtis created a sitcom titled ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ specifically for her in 1994. She portrayed Geraldine Granger, a female Vicar, in the critically acclaimed series. The show ran from 2005 to 2007.
In 2002, she starred as a tourist information officer who falls in love with an alien in the comedy drama series ‘Ted and Alice.’
In 2009, she made her television debut in the dark comedy series ‘Psychoville’. The series followed five distinct characters who are all blackmailed by the same individual. It lasted two seasons, concluding in 2011.
In 2013, she was named one of the show’s four judges. In 2012, she also served as a judge on the show ‘Superstar.’
Along with her television appearances, she has appeared in several films, most notably as the Fat Lady in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004).
Significant Works of Dawn
A well-known comedian, she is best known for co-creating the television series ‘French and Saunders’ with Jennifer Saunders. During the 1980s, the show was renowned for its hilarious spoofs. This series garnered her numerous awards and accolades.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 1997, she won the British Comedy Award for Best Television Comedy Actress for her performance in ‘The Vicar of Dibley.’
In 2009, she shared the BAFTA Fellowship with Jennifer Saunders.
Personal History and Legacies
In 1984, she married Lenny Henry. Billie was adopted by the couple. They divorced in 2010 after 25 years of marriage. She is currently married to Mark Bignell.
Estimated Net Worth
Dawn French is a Welsh actress, writer, and comedian with a $10 million net worth. Dawn Roma French was born in October 1957 in Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales.
After winning a debating scholarship, she attended the Spence School in New York. She later studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama, where she met Jennifer Saunders, her future comedy partner.
Trivia
In a 2006 poll, this popular comedian was named the most admired female celebrity by women in the United Kingdom.