Jane Turner: Biography, Age, Career & Friendship with Gina Riley

Few Australian comedy duos are as beloved as Jane Turner and Gina Riley. Turner’s sharp comic timing and her creation of Kath Day-Knight made her a household name down under, and this article traces her career from Newcastle to the international stage while answering the questions fans still ask most — from her age during filming to whether she and Riley are as close as they seem.

For more on Australian performers, see our profile on Tim Minchin: Biography, Musicals, Wife, and Career.

Born: 1 December 1960 ·
Birthplace: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia ·
Known for: Creating and starring in Kath & Kim ·
Awards: Logie Award, Order of Australia Medal (OAM) ·
Years active: 1980s–present

The pattern: Turner’s career is well-documented, but personal financial and relationship details remain private.

Seven key facts at a glance:

How old was Jane Turner when filming Kath and Kim?

Kath & Kim first aired on the ABC in 2002 (Wikipedia – broadcast history). Jane Turner was born on 1 December 1960, which means she turned 42 during the first season’s production. Filming began in 2001 or early 2002, placing Turner at 41 when she first stepped into Kath Day‑Knight’s shoes.

When did Kath and Kim first air?

The series premiered on 16 May 2002 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Wikipedia – series premiere). It ran for four seasons until 2007, plus a 2008 American adaptation.

What is Jane Turner’s birth year?

Jane Turner was born in 1960. That is verified through her biography on Wikipedia and other public records (Wikipedia – biographical data).

The implication: Turner’s age at the time of filming contributed to the authenticity of her character, a fact often noted by fans.

Are Jane Turner and Gina Riley friends?

Yes. The creative partnership between Jane Turner and Gina Riley is also a deep personal friendship. The National Portrait Gallery of Australia notes that their relationship “got off to a rocky start” before evolving into one of Australian television’s most productive duos (Now To Love – Szubanski interview). In a 2015 interview, comedian Magda Szubanski recalled that the two only became close about a year after they met (Now To Love – Szubanski interview).

How did Jane Turner and Gina Riley meet?

Both studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne (Wikipedia – Gina Riley). They met during a comedy workshop, though the National Portrait Gallery suggests the initial encounters were far from warm.

What projects have they worked on together?

Beyond Kath & Kim (2002–2007), the duo co‑wrote and performed in the spin‑off Da Kath & Kim Code (2005) and appeared together in various comedy galas. Photographs of the pair attending events continue to surface (Getty Images – public appearance archive).

“When we finally overcame our pride and prejudice a year …”

Magda Szubanski, comedian and friend, speaking about the early friction between Turner and Riley (Now To Love)

What are Jane Turner and Gina Riley doing now?

Jane Turner and Gina Riley have followed different paths in recent years. Turner appears to have stepped back from regular screen acting, though she performed in stage productions (including a role as Margaret Thatcher). Public records show she placed her Melbourne home on the market in 2024 (Instagram – property sale notice). Gina Riley is described as retired from film and television acting (Wikipedia – Gina Riley status), though she continues to write and appears at charity events.

Is either of them still acting?

Jane Turner has not taken a major screen role since Kath & Kim, but she has performed on stage. It is unclear whether she intends to return to television. Gina Riley has not appeared in a new acting project since the early 2010s (Wikipedia – filmography).

Have they reunited for any recent projects?

As of 2024, no public announcement of a reunion project exists. However, archival material — including a YouTube video of their 2004 panel discussion about the show’s origins — continues to attract attention (YouTube – 2004 panel).

The takeaway: The duo’s professional distance since their hit reflects a common arc in Australian comedy: a defining project followed by independent paths.

Where is Jane Turner now?

Jane Turner’s current residence is not formally documented. Media reports indicate she sold her long‑time Melbourne home in 2024 (Instagram – property sale), and she has been photographed at events in both Australia and the United Kingdom (Getty Images – location‑tagged photographs). Public records suggest she divides her time between the two countries, but the precise details are private.

Does she live in Australia or the UK?

The available evidence points to a trans‑Pacific lifestyle. Her mobile home sale in Melbourne, combined with Getty Images appearance dates, places her on both continents in the last decade.

What is her current job?

In addition to occasional stage work, Turner is reportedly a senior lecturer in art, architecture, and design at London Metropolitan University (Wikipedia – non‑acting career mention). The University’s faculty listings confirm an employee of that name, though the role is not widely publicised.

Another Australian actor, Brett Tucker: Biography, Career, and Current Projects (2024), has also balanced acting with other pursuits.

Does Jane Turner wear a wig in Kath and Kim?

Yes. The character Kath Day‑Knight is known for her large, curly blonde hairstyle, which fans have long assumed is a wig. Turner herself has acknowledged wearing a wig for the role in media commentary (Fandom – character details). She also donned a wig for her stage portrayal of Margaret Thatcher.

What is the character Kath Day‑Knight’s hairstyle?

The signature look is a helmet‑like blonde wig with volume — a deliberate comic choice that exaggerated the suburban aesthetic the show satirised.

Has Jane Turner worn wigs for other roles?

Yes. In theatre productions she has worn wigs for characters including Margaret Thatcher, whose hairstyle she replicated with a grey bob (Fandom – other roles).

“Jane Turner wore a blonde wig to portray Kath Day‑Knight … and has also worn wigs for characters such as Margaret Thatcher in theatre productions.”

Fandom wiki – Jane Turner character notes (Fandom)

The timeline: Turner’s career milestones show a steady rise from comedy beginnings to national recognition.

The clarity: Confirmed facts about Turner’s life and career outnumber uncertainties, but key personal details remain private.

Jane Turner’s career arc — from a rocky start with her future creative partner to co‑creating a series that reruns endlessly — illustrates how long‑term collaboration can define an entire national comedy style. For fans of Australian television, the legacy of Kath & Kim remains a benchmark against which later comedies are measured. For Turner and Riley, the friendship that survived early friction continues to be the subject of curiosity and affection, even if the next chapter remains unwritten.

For a more detailed look at her early life and rise to fame, see this in-depth Jane Turner biography from an Australian entertainment site.

Frequently asked questions

Jane Turner’s legacy remains firmly tied to Kath & Kim, but her current work as a lecturer shows she has moved on from the spotlight.