Tracey Ullman (born 30 December, 1959) is a
British-born, now U.S. citizen comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is
most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show.
Her early appearances were on such British TV sketch comedy shows as
A Kick Up the Eighties (with Rik
Mayall) and Three of a Kind (with Lenny
Henry and David Copperfield ). She also appeared as Candice Valentine in
Girls On Top with Dawn French and
Jennifer Saunders.
She emigrated to the U.S. and ended up having her own network television series,
The Tracey Ullman Show, from which The
Simpsons was spun off in 1989.
She later found even greater success producing programmes for HBO, including Tracey Takes On..., for which she has won numerous awards. She has also appeared in many feature
films.
Early life
Tracey Ullman was born in Slough, Buckinghamshire
(now Berkshire) to Antony Ullman, her Polish Roman Catholic father, and Dorin Ullman, her British mother, who was of Roma heritage. Antony had been a Polish soldier who was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. Ullman's father sold furniture, booked travel, and brokered marriages. He also translated
amongst the Polish community in the UK. When Ullman was six years old, her father died of a heart attack. He was fifty years old.
In an effort to cheer the family up, Tracey recounted putting on shows in her mother's bedroom, performing along side her older
sister, Patty. That first show was entitled, The Patty Ullman Show.
"I was a spin-off!" recalled Ullman. In her nightly performances Tracey was able to mimic anyone and everyone, including
neighbors, family members, friends, even celebrities. Soon after, Ullman's mother remarried.
At age 12, one of Tracey's headmasters took notice of the young star's future potential, and recommended her to the
Italia Conti Academy stage school. Although the school gave Ullman her first taste
of the stage, she does not look back at the period as being a joyous one. Ullman's biggest drawback was her dark features. During
auditions, they would line the children up, and select them for roles. Young Ullman, ethnically, did not fit the criteria (the
criteria being blonde-haired and blue-eyed).
At age 16, Ullman began to find jobs as a dancer. One of her big breaks came when she landed a role in Gigi in Berlin[1]. Upon returning to England, she joined the "Second Generation" dance
troop[2]. She also began to appear in variety shows.
The exposure led to her being cast in numerous West End theatre musicals, including
Grease, and The Rocky Horror
Show[3]. During this time Ullman learned of a
competition at London's Royal Court
Theatre[4] for an improvised play about club acts. Deciding to enter, Ullman created the character Beverly, a
born-again Christian chanteuse. Ullman proved to be a big hit and won the title
of Best Newcomer Award[5]. At this point, the
BBC became interested, and offered her her own show.
Music career
In 1983, Ullman succeeded as a singer on the legendary punk label Stiff Records[6], although her style
was more comic romantic than punk[7]. She had six songs in
the British Top 100 in less than two years, including her first hit "Breakaway" (famous for her performance with a hairbrush as a microphone); the international hit cover version of label-mate Kirsty
MacColl's "They Don't Know," which went to #2 in the UK
(#8, U.S. - MacColl also sang backing vocals on Ullman's version), and which became the theme song to most of Ullman's later
television series; and the cover of Madness's "My Girl," which Ullman changed to "My
Guy's Mad At Me." [8] (The "My Guy" video featured the
British politician Neil Kinnock, at the time the Leader of the Opposition)[9].)
Her songs were over-the-top evocations of 1960s and 1970s pop music with a 1980s edge, "somewhere between Minnie Mouse and The Supremes" as Britain's Melody Maker put it, or "retro before retro was cool", as a retrospective reviewer wrote in 2002. Her
career received another boost when the video for "They Don't Know" featured a cameo
from Paul McCartney[10]; at the time Ullman was filming a minor role in McCartney's film Give My Regards To Broad Street[11]. Her final hit was Sunglasses (1984) whose video featured Adrian Edmondson. During this time, she also appeared as a guest VJ on
MTV in the United States[12].
In October 2006, Ullman recounted her music days in the BBC Four documentary series, If
It Ain't Stiff.[13]
Television career
Early years
Along with her stint in the music world, Ullman also moved into television. She began starring in sketch comedies for the
BBC, A Kick Up the Eighties, and
Three of a Kind (with Lenny Henry and
David Copperfield). In 1985, she donned a blonde wig and took the role of a
promiscuous gold digger named "Candice Valentine" on the ITV sitcom Girls On Top, but jumped ship after one season.
At this point, US television beckoned, and television producer, legend, James L.
Brooks, came calling. The two had discussed working together previously, but it wasn't until 1987 that the two formally
got together and created The Tracey Ullman Show. Ullman played a variety
of characters, completely disguised with the help of makeup, prosthetics, and even padding. The show was the first commercial hit
for then unknown FOX channel. Ullman proved to be a triple threat - she could
act, sing, and dance, as well as providing ethnic accents for some of her characters (Tracey is one of the few non-Australian
actors that can deliver lines in a realistic Australian accent). Paula Abdul began her
career with the series, serving as the show's choreographer. The then practically unknown
Abdul even used her early music recordings for the series' strenuous dance numbers.
The Tracey Ullman Show earned four Emmys and spawned The Simpsons, which was featured in very
simple cartoon shorts (created by cartoonist Matt Groening at the behest of Ullman Show
producer James L. Brooks).
In 1992 Ullman filed a lawsuit against Twentieth Century Fox in Los Angeles Superior
Court over profits from the later half hour incarnation of The Simpsons for $2.5
million of the estimated $50,000,000 USD in profits reaped from merchandising. Years after her show went off the air, she said jokingly in a late night television
interview that she hoped to one day have a regular 2-minute spot on The Simpsons.
Despite the lawsuit, Ullman would later provide the voice of "Emily Winthrop", a British dog trainer on The Simpsons in
Bart's Dog Gets an F.
As Ullman had continued her professional relationship with former producer Brooks, only the studio and not Brooks was named in
the suit. In fact, Brooks was allowed to videotape his testimony because in an
only-in-Hollywood twist he was at that time directing Ullman in his later de-musicalized film I'll Do Anything. Ullman was unsuccessful and viewed by some as trying to greedily cash in on a
project that she could not show in court that she had any hand in creating. However, supporters point out that she only sought a
small portion of merchandising from the studio's slice that she felt her contract for the cancelled show entitled her to (a 12
page contract that was hastily signed only hours before filming on the first The
Tracey Ullman Show was to commence). A settlement was reached where Ullman would receive a portion of the profits made
from the show, although no amount was ever made public.
HBO
It wasn't until 1993 that Ullman dove back into television, but this time, cable television. Two specials were created
allowing Ullman to bring life to a host of new characters. The first, Tracey Ullman: A Class Act, took a humorous jab at
the British class system, and co-starred Monty Python alum Michael Palin.[14] For the second,
Tracey Ullman Takes On New York, Ullman decided to take on a more American topic,
New York City.[15]
Both specials drew critical praise, and even awards. HBO became interested in doing a Tracey Takes On series, and Tracey
and her husband, Allan McKeown, set up production in Los Angeles in 1995.
Tracey Takes On... premiered 24 January
1996, on HBO. Each episode would focus on a topic for Ullman to 'take
on' and examine. The series would have two to three long sketches, and many small interview-styled bits, with her many characters
commenting on that week's topic. Unlike the FOX show, Tracey Takes On... was shot on location, not filmed in front of a live audience. The added
freedom, and no censorship, cable television provided, fared well with Ullman.
Nothing was off limits, and a lesbian kiss with Tracey Ullman Show
alum, Julie Kavner, kicked off the series' first episode.[16] Ullman played both men and women of many ethnicities during the series' run,
including an Asian donut shop owner, a (male) cab driver from the Middle East, and an African-American airport security
guard.[17] The series went on to win eight
Emmys, numerous CableACE, and a host other media
awards, and was critically acclaimed. In 1997, it won the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series Emmy Award for the episode Vegas.[18] In 1998, it was also published in book form by Ullman. The series was also awarded GLAAD awards for its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters.
Tracey returned to HBO in the summer of 2005, with a special of her autobiographical one-woman
stage show Tracey Ullman: Live and Exposed,[19]
which garnered her another Emmy nomination.[20] On 26 December 2005, Tracey
Takes On... The Complete First Season was released on DVD from HBO Home Video. The Complete
Second Season of Tracey Takes On... was released 27 June 2006.
Both sets contain commentary, extended footage, as well as the original HBO pilot.
Showtime
Ullman will make her return to television in 2008 in State of the Union for Showtime.
Production is due to begin in the fall of 2007, with an order of at least five episodes. The series takes a satirical look at a
day in the life of America. Ullman will create new characters as well as impersonate famous ones. The series will be shot in a
cinematic fashion.[21]
Other notable work
Ullman was the modern-day cartoon voice of Little Lulu[22]. She also had a recurring role as Ally McBeal's unconventional psychotherapist, a role which won her an American Comedy
Award[23].
Ullman co-starred with Carol Burnett in the television adaptation of
Once Upon a Mattress. Ullman played Princess Winnifred, a role originally
made famous by Burnett on Broadway, who took on the role of the evil Queen.[24]
On 5 December 2006, Tracey was inducted into the
Museum of Television and Radio along with likes of Carol Burnett, Lesley Visser, Lesley
Stahl, Jane Pauley, and Betty White, in the
She Made It category.[25]
To date Ullman has seven Emmy wins.
In 2006, Ullman released a bestselling knitting book called Knit 2 Together [26], with friend Mel Clark.[27]
Movie career
Along with her television work, Tracey has featured in many films throughout her career. After
the cancellation of The Tracey Ullman Show in 1990, she made her starring
debut along side Kevin Kline, River Phoenix and
Joan Plowright in I Love You To
Death. Ullman has also appeared in Robin Hood: Men in
Tights, Nancy Savoca's Household
Saints, Small Time Crooks, A
Dirty Shame, and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. She had a small role in
Paul McCartney's film "Give My Regards
to Broad Street"
Ullman portrayed "Mother Nature" in the 2007 romantic-comedy film, I Could Never Be Your Woman, starring Michelle
Pfeiffer. Ullman acted as creative consultant on the 2006 Dreamworks feature,
Flushed Away. [28]
Tracey has signed on to voice along with such actors as Dustin Hoffman,
Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Christopher Lloyd and Sigourney Weaver in the computer-animated The Tale of
Despereaux.[29]
Ullman also had a bit part as an interviewee from stock footage in the movie The
Queen with Helen Mirren.[30] The footage was
used without her permission.
Personal life
Ullman is married to producer Allan McKeown; they have two children, Mabel Ellen McKeown (b.
April 1986) and John Albert Victor McKeown (b. August 1, 1991 in Santa Monica).
Ullman announced in 2005 her intentions to become an American citizen; she became one
in December 2006 [31]. In 2006, Ullman topped the list
for the "Wealthiest British Comedians", with an estimated wealth of £75 million [32].
Filmography
Discography
- You Broke My Heart in Seventeen Places UK #12 US #34
- You Caught Me Out UK #92
Hit Singles
- Breakaway (1983) UK #4 US #70
- They Don't Know (1983) UK #2 US #8
- Move Over Darling (1983) UK #8
- My Guy (1984) UK #23
- Sunglasses (1984) UK #18
- Helpless (1984) UK #61
- Terry (1985) UK #81
Awards
- London Critics' Circle Award Most Promising New Actress "Four in a Million" 1981
- BAFTA Award Best Light Entertainment Performance "Three of a Kind" and "A Kick Up the Eighties" 1983
- Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) 1987
- Emmy Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program "Tracey Ullman Show" 1988 - 89
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer of the Year 1988
- Emmy Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program "Tracey Ullman Show" 1989 - 90
- Emmy Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program "The Best of the Tracey Ullman Show" 1989 - 90
- Theatre World Special Award 1991
- Emmy Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series "Love & War" 1992 - 93
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer in a Television Special "Funny Women of Television" 1992
- Emmy Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program "Tracey Ullman: Takes on New York" 1993 - 94
- CableACE Award Best Performance in a Comedy Series "Tracey Ullman: Takes on New York" 1994
- Emmy Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series "Tracey Takes On . . . " 1996 - 97
- CableACE Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 1996
- CableACE Award Best Variety Special or Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 1996
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer in a Television Special "Women of the Night IV" 1996
- Golden Satellite Best Actress in a Television Series (Musical or Comedy) "Tracey Takes On ..." 1997
- The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 1998
- Emmy Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series "Ally McBeal" 1998 - 99
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Leading Performer in a Television Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 1998
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a Television Series "Ally McBeal" 1999
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Leading Performer in a Television Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 1999
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Leading Performer in a Television Series "Tracey Takes On ..." 2000
Bibliography
- Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark
(released October 2006)
- Tracey Takes On by Tracey Ullman
References
Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 7th Edition
Archive of an Entertainment Weekly story by Frank Spotnitz on 1992 lawsuit.
Tracey Ullman TV.com
"Awards".
Sources
- ^ [1]. " TELEVISION REVIEW;A Case of Multiple Personalities". Retrieved April 1
2007.
- ^ [2]. "Tracking Tracey". Retrieved April 1 2007
- ^ [3]. "History Of The RHPS". Retrieved April 1 2007
- ^ [4]. "Portman Films: Tracey Takes On". Retrieved April
1 2007.
- ^ [5]. "The BPI Awards 1984". Retrieve April 1 2007.
- ^ [6]. Stiff Records Official Web Site. Retrieved April 2 2007.
- ^ [7]. YouTube: Tracey Ullman: "My Guy" music video.
- ^ [8]. Youtube: Tracey Ullman: "My Guy" music video.
- ^ [9]. "A
Decade Of Revolution The Thatcher Years" Retrieved April 2 2007.
- ^ [10]. "Biography".
- ^ [11]. "Biography".
- ^ [12]. Promo Poster of Tracey Ullman MTV Guest VJ.
- ^ [13].
Independent Online. " Stiff Records: If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a debt". September
15 2006. Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [14]. BBC Comedy Guide. Retried March 14 2007.
- ^ [15]. BBC Comedy Guide. Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [16]. Glaad. "GLAAD Commends Tracey Ullman Series for Inclusivity". January 24
1996. Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [17]. "The Characters". Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [18]. Tracey Ullman. Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [19]. HBO.com.
"Tracey Ullman: Live and Exposed". Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [20]. HBO.com. "2005 Emmy Nominations". Retrieved March
14 2007.
- ^ [21].
Variety. April 12 2007.
- ^ [22]. "HBO Family: The Little Lulu Show". Retrieved April
1 2007
- ^ [23]. "E!
Online Features - Awards - Emmys '99 - Blow By Blow". Retrieved April 1 2007.
- ^ [24]. "Once Upon a Mattress Review". NYTimes.com. Retrieved April 1 2007.
- ^ [25]. Ventura County Star.
- ^ [26]
- ^ [27]. "Knit 2, Purl 1, Laugh, Together." Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved June 29,
2007.
- ^ [28]. Mlive.com.
- ^ [29]. Coming Soon. Retrieved March 14 2007.
- ^ [30]. James Sanford on Film. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ [31] Daily fishbowlLA, September 10 2007. Retrieved September 16 2007
- ^ [32].
Chortle. December 2006.
External links
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