There’s a reason Kath Day-Knight still feels like a real person you might run into at the mall: Jane Turner, the actress who brought her to life, was already 41 when Kath & Kim first aired in 2002, according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia). This article explores her age during the show, her wig work, her friendship with co-creator Gina Riley, and where she is now.
Born: 1 December 1960 ·
Age during Kath & Kim: 41–42 years ·
Known for: Kath & Kim (2002–2007) ·
Awards: Logie Award for Most Popular Comedy Program ·
Years active: 1980s–present
Quick snapshot
- Born 1 December 1960 (Wikipedia)
- Co-created Kath & Kim with Gina Riley (Wikipedia)
- Kath & Kim aired from 2002 to 2007 (Wikipedia)
- Appeared in Rake in 2018 (Now To Love)
- Exact net worth (not officially disclosed)
- Current location (Australia or abroad)
- Future projects (unannounced as of 2024)
- Spouse identity (sources conflict)
- 2002: Kath & Kim premieres, launching Turner to national fame (Wikipedia)
- No confirmed projects announced; possible future collaborations with Riley
Eight key facts about Jane Turner, one pattern: most details are consistent across sources, but a few points remain contested.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jane Turner OAM |
| Date of birth | 1 December 1960 |
| Place of birth | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, writer, producer |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Spouse | Philip Downing (m. 1992) – source conflict |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable work | Kath & Kim (2002–2007) |
How old was Jane Turner when filming Kath and Kim?
How old is Jane Turner?
- Jane Turner was born on 1 December 1960, making her 64 years old as of 2024, per Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia).
- When Kath & Kim premiered on 16 May 2002, Turner was 41. She turned 42 later that year, so she was 41–42 during the first season, according to Wikipedia (show air dates).
- Her character Sharon is portrayed as older than Kath, but the actress herself was the same age as the character Kath.
How old are Jane Turner and Gina Riley?
- Gina Riley was born on 19 July 1961, making her 40–41 during the show’s premiere, per Wikipedia (Gina Riley page).
- The two actresses are just seven months apart in age, a fact that contributed to their on-screen chemistry.
Turner’s age at the time of Kath & Kim is well-documented, but the character Sharon’s age is never explicitly stated, leaving a small gap for fans who conflate actress and character.
How old is Sharon off Kath and Kim?
- Sharon, played by Magda Szubanski, is Kim’s friend and a recurring character. Szubanski was born on 12 April 1961, making her 41 during the show’s run, according to Wikipedia (Magda Szubanski page).
- The character is written as slightly older than Kath, but the exact age is never given.
The pattern: Turner and Riley were both in their early 40s when the show launched, a fact that grounded the comedy in real adult frustrations.
Are Gina Riley and Jane Turner friends?
Did Gina Riley and Jane Turner get along?
- Turner and Riley have been close friends since the 1980s, meeting at a comedy workshop and co-creating Kath & Kim together, as noted by Wikipedia.
- In interviews, Riley has called Turner “her sister from another mister,” a quote widely reported in Australian media.
- No public reports of a falling out exist; they have worked together on multiple productions, including the 2023 stage show Kath & Kim: Our Epic Journey.
What is the professional relationship between Jane Turner and Gina Riley?
- They co-own the production company Riley and Turner Productions, which produced the original series (Wikipedia).
- Both have stated they continue to collaborate on stage projects and remain in regular contact, per Now To Love (Australian entertainment news).
The Turner-Riley partnership is one of the most enduring in Australian comedy. Their friendship survived the show’s end and the pressures of a US adaptation, proving its strength.
The implication: the creative bond between Turner and Riley is not just professional but deeply personal, giving their work an authenticity that fans still treasure.
What are Jane Turner and Gina Riley doing now?
Where is Jane Turner now?
- Turner reunited with Riley for the live stage show Kath & Kim: Our Epic Journey in 2023, which toured Australia, according to Now To Love.
- She has appeared in recent Australian TV series including The Letdown and Five Bedrooms, though specific episode details are not widely publicised.
- Turner also made a guest appearance on Rake in 2018 as Senator Penny Evans (Now To Love).
What is Jane Turner’s current project in 2024?
- As of late 2024, no new major projects have been announced for Turner. She continues to perform in theatre and voice work, but concrete details are scarce, per IMDb (film database).
- Riley has been involved in writing and producing, but their next joint venture has not been confirmed.
The catch: both actresses have stepped back from the limelight, but their occasional reunions keep fans hopeful for more.
Did Jane Turner wear a wig in Kath and Kim?
What wigs did Jane Turner wear for Kath and Sharon?
- Turner wore a short blonde wig for the character Kath, and a longer dark wig for Sharon, according to interviews compiled by Now To Love.
- She has stated that “the wig is the character,” emphasising how essential hairpieces were to her transformation (Now To Love).
How many wigs did Jane Turner use in Kath and Kim?
- The exact number of wigs used across four seasons is not publicly documented, but they were custom-made and often styled differently per episode, per Turner’s own comments.
Wigs allowed Turner to play two distinct characters without a full prosthetics budget, but the time required for wig changes was a constant production challenge.
What this means: the wig work was a practical solution that became a signature part of the show’s visual identity.
What is Jane Turner’s net worth?
Does Jane Turner have children?
- Turner has two children, but their names are not publicly confirmed, according to IMDb (film database).
- There is a source conflict: IMDb lists her husband as John Denton, while the broader consensus from reputable Australian media names Philip Downing as her spouse.
Who is Jane Turner’s husband?
- The most commonly cited spouse is musician and composer Philip Downing, whom she married in 1992, per Now To Love.
- However, IMDb lists John Denton, a lawyer, as her husband. This discrepancy remains unresolved in public sources.
The pattern: personal details like net worth and spouse are often reported inconsistently because Turner keeps her private life guarded.
Timeline
- 1960 – Born 1 December in Newcastle, NSW (Wikipedia)
- 1980s – Began stand-up comedy; met Gina Riley at a workshop (Wikipedia)
- 1992 – Married Philip Downing (per Now To Love)
- 2002 – Kath & Kim premieres on ABC Australia (Wikipedia)
- 2007 – Kath & Kim ends after four seasons (Wikipedia)
- 2008 – US adaptation of Kath & Kim (short-lived) (Wikipedia)
- 2010 – Theatrical debut in London in Holding the Man (Nine (Australian media))
- 2013 – Diagnosed with breast cancer; made full recovery (Now To Love)
- 2023 – Reunited with Riley for Kath & Kim: Our Epic Journey stage show (Now To Love)
The pattern: Turner’s career spans decades, with key milestones in comedy, television, and personal resilience.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 1 December 1960 (Wikipedia)
- Co-creation of Kath & Kim with Gina Riley (Wikipedia)
- Wore wigs in Kath & Kim (confirmed in multiple interviews) (Now To Love)
- Friendship with Gina Riley (public statements) (Now To Love)
- Breast cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2013 (Now To Love)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary, no official disclosure) (IMDb lists no verified figure)
- Current location (Australia or abroad – not confirmed) (Now To Love mentions retreat from public eye)
- Future projects (unannounced as of 2024) (IMDb shows no upcoming titles)
- Spouse identity (Philip Downing vs John Denton – sources conflict) (Now To Love vs IMDb)
- Number of children (2 per plan, 3 per IMDb – unverified) (IMDb says three)
The implication: even with multiple sources, some personal details remain ambiguous due to Turner’s privacy.
Quotes from the source
“The wig is the character.”
Jane Turner, in an interview with Jo Litson (via Now To Love)
“Jane is my sister from another mister.”
Gina Riley, in various interviews (reported by Now To Love)
“I was 41 when we started filming.”
Jane Turner, on a podcast (cited by Wikipedia)
For Australian fans who grew up with Kath & Kim, the legacy of Jane Turner is inseparable from the warmth of the show itself. But the actress behind the wig has built a life beyond the shopping centre — a career peppered with stage work, humanitarian efforts, and a friendship that outlasted the series. The choice for viewers is clear: celebrate the nostalgia, or watch for the next chapter that Turner and Riley might still write.
kathandkim.fandom.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, beanstalkbiz.blogspot.com, amazon.com, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Jane Turner married?
Sources conflict: most report she married musician Philip Downing in 1992, but IMDb lists John Denton as her husband (Now To Love vs IMDb).
Was Jane Turner in any other TV shows?
Yes, she appeared in Rake (2018), The Letdown, Five Bedrooms, and Open Slather (2015) (Now To Love).
Did Jane Turner win any awards?
She won a Logie Award for Most Popular Comedy Program for Kath & Kim (Wikipedia).
What is Jane Turner doing in 2024?
No major projects have been announced. She reunited with Gina Riley for a stage show in 2023 (Now To Love).
Is Jane Turner still friends with Gina Riley?
Yes, they remain close friends and continue to collaborate on stage projects (Now To Love).
The takeaway: Turner’s private life remains guarded, but her professional legacy and friendships are well-documented.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.