Jennifer Saunders

Last updated on the 4 June 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 6 July 1958, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. 

Jennifer Saunders’ early life was marked by frequent relocations due to her father’s career in the Royal Air Force. This constant change of scenery fostered her adaptability and ability to connect with diverse social groups. Her passion for performing emerged in her school years, where she participated in plays and student productions.

In 1977, Saunders enrolled at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where she met her lifelong friend and comedy partner, Dawn French. Together, they formed a formidable duo, honing their comedic skills and developing a unique blend of satire, parody, and self-deprecating humour.

After graduating in 1980, Saunders and French joined the sketch comedy troupe The Comic Strip, gaining recognition for their irreverent and groundbreaking material. Their performances explored social issues, gender stereotypes, and the absurdities of contemporary life.

In 1987, Saunders and French embarked on their own sketch comedy show, “French and Saunders,” which became a critical and commercial success. The show ran for eleven series, cementing their status as comedy icons and earning them numerous accolades, including three BAFTA awards.

Jennifer Saunders’ career reached new heights with the creation and portrayal of Edina Monsoon, the flamboyant and self-absorbed fashion publicist, in the hit sitcom “Absolutely Fabulous” (1992-2004). The show satirised the excesses of the London fashion scene and the lives of aging socialites, becoming an international phenomenon and earning Saunders a BAFTA Award for Best Performance in a Comedy Programme.

Saunders’ versatility extended beyond television, as she ventured into film, stage, and music. She appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster “Shrek 2” (2004) as the voice of the wicked Fairy Godmother, and co-founded the comedy music group “Lanaeneeneenoonoo” with French, releasing several albums.

In 2009, Saunders and French received a BAFTA Fellowship, recognising their outstanding contribution to British comedy. Saunders continued to shine in various projects, including the sitcom “Jam & Jerusalem” (2006-2012), the BBC series “The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle” (2007), and the role of Miss Reason in the surrealist comedy “This Is Jinsy” (2010-2014).

Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer Saunders has also been a vocal advocate for various causes, including breast cancer awareness and the rights of HIV/AIDS sufferers. She has also spoken out against anti-Semitism and homophobia.

WINNER | Television: Female Performance In A Comedy Programme for Absolutely Fabulous (2012)

Suggested viewing

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 5.4

Sleek, stylish and perpetually tipsy, Edina and Patsy find themselves in a media firestorm after a catastrophic incident at a fashion launch. Forced into hiding, they flee to the French Riviera, attempting to escape their tarnished reputations and the wrath of the paparazzi. Their extravagant escape, however, proves to be anything but a quiet retirement.

Top cast: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield, Jane Horrocks, Dawn French, Helen Lederer, Kathy Burke.

The Comic Strip Presents… (1982)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

Casting a long shadow over the landscape of British comedy, **The Comic Strip Presents…** redefined the genre with its audacious wit and bold parodies. From lampooning Enid Blyton’s Famous Five to satirising the Falklands War, the series fearlessly tackled social issues, political commentary, and popular culture. Its self-contained episodes, featuring an ensemble of comedic talent, left an indelible mark on British comedy.

Top cast: Peter Richardson, Robbie Coltrane, Rik Mayall, Jennifer Saunders, Alexei Sayle, Adrian Edmondson, Keith Allen, Dawn French, Kathy Burke, Nigel Planer.

French and Saunders (1987)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.6

French and Saunders, the ingenious duo of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, burst onto the comedy scene in 1987 with their self-titled sketch show, instantly capturing audiences with their sharp wit, irreverent humour and uncanny ability to skewer popular culture. Their parodies of celebrities, films and everyday life were hilariously astute, leaving viewers in stitches and establishing them as comedy legends.

Top cast: Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Kate Moss, Lenny Henry, Jane Asher, June Whitfield, Adrian Edmondson, Harry Enfield, Rik Mayall.

Absolutely Fabulous (1992)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2

In the decadent heart of London’s fashion scene, Edina “Eddie” Monsoon and her inseparable sidekick Patsy Stone reign supreme, their lives a whirlwind of champagne-fuelled escapades, razor-sharp wit and utter disregard for societal norms. Their friendship, forged in the fires of shared excesses and mutual admiration, provides an intoxicating escape from the mundane, their antics both hilarious and strangely relatable.

Top cast: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield, Jane Horrocks, Mo Gaffney, Christopher Ryan, Harriet Thorpe.

Jam & Jerusalem (2006)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

Set in the quaint, English village of Clatterford St. Mary, Jam & Jerusalem revolves around the eccentric members of the Women’s Guild, a group of ladies bound by their love for preserving local traditions and baking delectable jams. Amidst their cozy afternoon teas and enthusiastic handicraft sessions, their lives are filled with hilarious mishaps, witty banter and a touch of romantic intrigue, all while keeping the village’s spirit alive.

Top cast: Jennifer Saunders, Salima Saxton, Dawn French, Maggie Steed, Rosie Cavaliero, Sally Phillips, Sue Johnston, Pauline McGlynn, David Mitchell.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)