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Tracey Ullman

Acting

Born December 30, 1959 · Slough, Berkshire, England, UK

Biography

Tracey Ullman (born 30 December 1959) is a British-American actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, director, and producer. Critics have lauded her ability to shift seamlessly in and out of character and accents, with many dubbing her the "female Peter Sellers". Ullman began her career in the British soap opera Mackenzie (1980), playing Lisa Mackenzie. After an award-winning performance in the improvised play Four in a Million at the Royal Court Theatre, she branched out into comedy. She starred in the British television sketch comedies A Kick Up the Eighties (1981) and Three of a Kind (1981–1983), the latter winning her a BAFTA in 1984. After a brief singing career (which garnered three top-ten singles), she appeared as Candice Valentine in Girls on Top (1985) with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Ullman emigrated from the United Kingdom to the United States. She would go on to star in her own network television comedy series, The Tracey Ullman Show (1987–1990), which also featured the first appearances of the long-running animated media franchise The Simpsons (1989–present). She later produced programmes for HBO, including Tracey Takes On... (1996–1999) garnering numerous awards. She has appeared in several feature films, including Plenty (1985) which earned her a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination. In 2016, she returned to British television with the BBC sketch comedy show Tracey Ullman's Show (2016–2018) , her first project for the broadcaster in over 30 years. This led to the creation of the topical comedy series Tracey Breaks the News (2017–2018). She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including twelve American Comedy Awards, seven Primetime Emmy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, four Satellite Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Awards & recognition

  • Great Immigrants Award · 2010
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series · 1999
  • Lucy Award · 1995
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series · 1993
  • Theatre World Award · 1991
Show all 9 awards →
  • British Academy Film Awards
  • Golden Globe AwardBest Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy
  • Primetime Emmy Award
  • Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Filmography50+ titles

The Many Miracles of Household Saints

2024as Self

Billy Connolly: Made in Scotland

as Self

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013as Self

How I Met Your Mother

2005as Genevieve Scherbatsky

Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000as Irma Kostroski

The Simpsons

1989as Emily Winthrop / Mrs. Winfield (voice)

Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales

2003as Ruby Romaine, Svetlana, Pepper Kane

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

2026as Self - Actress & Comedian

What About Dick?

2012as Aunt Maggie

Onward

2020as Grecklin (voice)

Corpse Bride

2005as Nell Van Dort / Hildegarde (voice)

Mrs. America

2020as Betty Friedan

Tracey Ullman's Show

2016as Various

Sofia the First

2013as Marla (voice)

The Graham Norton Show

2007as Self

Black Doves

2024as Alex Clark

Bullets Over Broadway

1994as Eden Brent

Howards End

2017as Aunt Juley Mund

The Queen

2006Thanks

Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration

1993as Self (segment "Monster in the Mirror")

Will & Grace

1998as Ann

Saturday Night Live

1975as Self (uncredited)

Zog

2018as Madame Dragon (voice)

Elsbeth

2024as Marilyn Gladwell

Household Saints

1993as Catherine Falconetti

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

1993as Latrine

Death to 2020

2020as Queen Elizabeth II

Small Time Crooks

2000as Frenchy

Ally McBeal

1997as Dr. Tracey Clark

Steve

2025as Amanda

Kronk's New Groove

2005as Ms. Birdwell (voice)

The Daily Show

1996as Self

I Love You to Death

1990as Rosalie Boca

Love & War

The Actor

2025as Mrs. Malloy / Helen / Deerville Woman

Panic

2000as Martha

The Prom

2020as Vera

The Tale of Despereaux

2008as Miggery Sow (voice)

Jumpin' Jack Flash

1986as Fiona

Death to 2021

2021as Madison Madison

Once Upon A Mattress

2005as Princess Winnifred

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003as Self

I Could Never Be Your Woman

2007as Mother Nature

Into the Woods

2014as Jack's Mother

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014as Self

Ella McCay

2025as Olympia (voice)

A Dirty Shame

2004as Sylvia Stickles

Ready to Wear

1994as Nina Scant

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009as Self - Guest

Tracey Ullman: Live and Exposed

2005as Self