Jennifer Saunders was born on July 6, 1958, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, to Jane, a biology teacher, and Robert Thomas Saunders, an RAF pilot. She attended Central School of Speech and Drama, where she met her comedy partner Dawn French. Saunders began her career as a comedienne, actress, and writer, alongside French, at the legendary "The Comedy Store" in London, where she encountered fellow comedians Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Alexei Sayle, and Peter Richardson.
The Comic Strip team, which included Saunders, French, Edmondson, Mayall, Planer, Sayle, and Richardson, made their television debut in The Comic Strip Presents (1982),a groundbreaking series that showcased their unique brand of humor. Saunders went on to appear in several other notable shows, including The Young Ones (1982),Girls on Top (1985),and Happy Families (1985).
After the success of The Comic Strip, Saunders and French created their own television show, French and Saunders (1987),which became a massive hit due to their brilliant writing, acting, and hilarious parodies of famous films and music. One of the most iconic sketches from the show was a portrayal of an uptight daughter and a neurotic mother, which later evolved into the beloved sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992).
Saunders' creation of Absolutely Fabulous is often seen as a coincidence, as the show went on to become one of the most loved, funny, and creative television shows in BBC history. The show was initially broadcast for three series before being put on hold, only to return with a fourth series in 2001. Saunders has also been involved in various charity endeavors, including "Comic Relief" since 1986.
Jennifer Saunders is set to return to television screens with the fifth series of Absolutely Fabulous in 2003, cementing her status as one of the most beloved and iconic television personalities in Britain.
