Tracey Ullman

Tracey Ullman, born Trace Ullman on December 30, 1959, in Slough, Buckinghamshire, England, has built a career spanning television, film, stage, and music. Her early life included a scholarship to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and initial roles as a dramatic actress, including the British soap opera “Mackenzie” in 1980. A turning point came with her award-winning performance in the improvised play “Four in a Million” at the Royal Court Theatre, leading her to comedy. She quickly gained recognition in British sketch comedy shows like “A Kick Up the Eighties” and “Three of a Kind,” the latter earning her a BAFTA in 1984. This period also saw a brief but successful singing career with three top-ten singles in the UK.

Ullman’s career expanded significantly after she moved to the United States in 1985. She starred in “The Tracey Ullman Show” from 1987 to 1990 on the Fox network. This show was notable for launching “The Simpsons” as a series of animated shorts and earned Ullman multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. She continued her success with HBO, producing acclaimed shows such as “Tracey Takes On…” (1996-1999), which also garnered numerous awards. Ullman’s ability to create diverse characters and accents became a hallmark of her work, earning her the moniker “female Peter Sellers.”

In recent years, Ullman has continued to work in both American and British television. She returned to British television in 2016 with “Tracey Ullman’s Show” on the BBC, a project marking her first for the broadcaster in over three decades. This was followed by the topical comedy series “Tracey Breaks the News.” Her film credits include roles in “Small Time Crooks” (2000), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, and “Into the Woods” (2014). She also appeared in the miniseries “Mrs. America” (2020), earning an Emmy nomination. As of 2017, Ullman was reported to be one of Britain’s wealthiest comedians and actresses, with an estimated wealth of £80 million.