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Lederer established a stand-up act at the [[The Comedy Store, London|Comedy Store]] in [[London]] and then won minor parts in episodes of ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', which had been written by her Comedy Store contemporaries [[Ben Elton]] and [[Rik Mayall]]. She would be linked with this scene for the rest of the 1980s, with a supporting role as housemaid Flossie in ''[[Happy Families (TV series)|Happy Families]]'' and numerous appearances in related shows and live performances.
Lederer established a stand-up act at the [[The Comedy Store, London|Comedy Store]] in [[London]] and then won minor parts in episodes of ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', which had been written by her Comedy Store contemporaries [[Ben Elton]] and [[Rik Mayall]]. She would be linked with this scene for the rest of the 1980s, with a supporting role as housemaid Flossie in ''[[Happy Families (TV series)|Happy Families]]'' and numerous appearances in related shows and live performances.


An incisive and eccentric performer and personality, Lederer broke from the Comedy Store wing of the alternative scene in [[1986]] to take part in the [[BBC2]] [[sketch comedy|sketch]] show ''[[Naked Video]]'', which had originated without Lederer on the radio in [[Scotland]]. Lederer played various roles, including that of a newsreader linking spoof headlines into clips which acted as [[punchline]]s, and a drunk [[Sloane Ranger|Sloane]] who performed a [[monologue]] in each episode from a wine bar.
An attractive, down to earth and well loved performer, Lederer broke from the Comedy Store wing of the alternative scene in [[1986]] to take part in the [[BBC2]] [[sketch comedy|sketch]] show ''[[Naked Video]]'', which had originated without Lederer on the radio in [[Scotland]]. Lederer played various roles, including that of a newsreader linking spoof headlines into clips which acted as [[punchline]]s, and a drunk [[Sloane Ranger|Sloane]] who performed a [[monologue]] in each episode from a wine bar.


In the [[1990s]], Lederer was recruited by her old contemporaries Mayall and [[Adrian Edmondson]] to play supporting roles in two episodes of their [[sitcom]] ''[[Bottom (television)|Bottom]]'', including a memorable part as a fallen millionairess on the make. Simultaneously, she played Catriona in ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'', joining forces again with [[Jennifer Saunders]]. She had previously worked with Saunders and her comedy partner [[Dawn French]] in their sketch show ''[[French and Saunders]]'', as well as ''Happy Families'' and the [[ITV]] sitcom ''[[Girls On Top]]''.
In the [[1990s]], Lederer was recruited by her old contemporaries Mayall and [[Adrian Edmondson]] to play supporting roles in two episodes of their [[sitcom]] ''[[Bottom (television)|Bottom]]'', including a memorable part as a fallen millionairess on the make. Simultaneously, she played Catriona in ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'', joining forces again with [[Jennifer Saunders]]. She had previously worked with Saunders and her comedy partner [[Dawn French]] in their sketch show ''[[French and Saunders]]'', as well as ''Happy Families'' and the [[ITV]] sitcom ''[[Girls On Top]]''.

Revision as of 22:50, 28 July 2007

Helen Lederer
Born (1954-09-24) 24 September 1954 (age 70)
ChildrenOne daughter
Websitehttp://www.helenlederer.co.uk/

Helen Lederer (born Llandovery, Wales, September 24 1954) is a British comedian, writer and actress who emerged as part of the alternative comedy boom at the beginning of the 1980s.

Lederer established a stand-up act at the Comedy Store in London and then won minor parts in episodes of The Young Ones, which had been written by her Comedy Store contemporaries Ben Elton and Rik Mayall. She would be linked with this scene for the rest of the 1980s, with a supporting role as housemaid Flossie in Happy Families and numerous appearances in related shows and live performances.

An attractive, down to earth and well loved performer, Lederer broke from the Comedy Store wing of the alternative scene in 1986 to take part in the BBC2 sketch show Naked Video, which had originated without Lederer on the radio in Scotland. Lederer played various roles, including that of a newsreader linking spoof headlines into clips which acted as punchlines, and a drunk Sloane who performed a monologue in each episode from a wine bar.

In the 1990s, Lederer was recruited by her old contemporaries Mayall and Adrian Edmondson to play supporting roles in two episodes of their sitcom Bottom, including a memorable part as a fallen millionairess on the make. Simultaneously, she played Catriona in Absolutely Fabulous, joining forces again with Jennifer Saunders. She had previously worked with Saunders and her comedy partner Dawn French in their sketch show French and Saunders, as well as Happy Families and the ITV sitcom Girls On Top.

Lederer has always been a guest or supporting actress on programmes devised by or starring her alternative comedy contemporaries, and as such has made a good, consistent career. She has branched out into many 'serious' acting roles too, and was reviewed favourably when she took part in The Vagina Monologues on the West End stage.

As a presenter, she has hosted and voiced lifestyle, religious and children's programmes. She has guested on numerous radio panel games and writes columns for newspapers and magazines.

Lederer has married twice and has a daughter. She is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust and works also with UNICEF.

Sources