The multi-talented, dynamic, boldly humourous Tracey Ullman has always charted her own creative course.
At 12, she was recommended to the Italia Conti Academy State School. By 16, she went from Buckinghamshire - now Berkshire - to dance in a production of "Gigi" in Berlin. Her return to England brought her work in the Second Generation Dance Troupe and in variety shows.
The West End was next, including roles in "Grease" and "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Learning of an improv competition at London's Royal Court Theatre, she won Best Newcomer Award for her portrayal of a "born again" club singer. The BBC offered a chance to star in her own show, and she also took part in workshops for Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming musical,"Starlight Express".
She signed with Stuff Records, expressing a style more in the comic romantic mode than the label's usual speciality of punk. With 6 songs hitting the UK Top 10 in 2 years, she went on to score in both the US and UK Top 10. She was described by Britain's "Melody Maker" as "Retro - before retro was cool."
Paul McCartney made a cameo appearance in Tracey's video for her song "They Don't Know". Tracey had a minor role in Paul's film "Give My Regards to Broad Street".
Her opening splash in America was as a Guest VJ on MTV, followed by an HBO Special - "Live and Exposed".
British television - both the BBC and ITV - had given Tracey a solid background for a series in America. "The Tracey Ullman Show" was the first commercial hit for then-unknown FOX Network. The show won 4 Emmys and served as the platform from which "The Simpsons" - a TV perennial - was launched.
On to HBO, where "A Class Act" was followed by "Tracey Ullman Takes On New York". "Takes On" was a phenomenal success, and the series - thriving in cable's looser environment - let her fly into an infinity of characters, embracing every background, ethnicity, persuasion and inclination - both men and women.
"Takes On" won 8 Emmys, numerous Cable ACE Awards and a host of other media awards. One episode was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. The series ran for 4 seasons and was published in book form.
She starred as herself in "Visible Panty Lines" - a chat show on Oxygen, a Women's Issues network. Having developed her own clothing site on the web, the main focus of the series was on fashion.The show ran for 2 seasons.
She returned to HBO, with a pilot for a spinoff of "Takes On" -"Trailer Tales"- that was aired but not picked up for a series. A revised version of "Live and Exposed" gained her yet another Emmy nomination.
Tracey became an American citizen and - after a 14 year working relationship - moved from HBO to rival Showtime.
Her Showtime debut - "State of the Nation" - was a forum for her views on America in light of her new citizenship. She created a whole new set of characters and added impersonations of famous figures in American history.
She received raves, one critic observing of her work " Think of America as performance art." The show has a commitment for a multi-season run.
Tracey has also received an American Comedy Award for a recurring role in TV's "Ally McBeal" and starred - opposite Carol Burnett - in "Once Upon A Mattress", in the role that Carol had originally made famous on Broadway.
She has made a number of film appearances, including voice work in the animated "The Tale of Despereaux" - along with Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver and other stars.
Tracey has won 7 Emmys, an American Comedy Award, a "She Made It " Award - from The Museum of Television and Radio - and a Lifetime Achievement Award from BAFTA. She is the first recipient of the Charlie Chaplin Award.
Tracey Ullman is a smashing success - always herself while she brings a universe of other characters to life and focus with fun, wit, clarity, charm - and love.