Marg Downey

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Marg Downey (born 1961 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian comedian.

[edit] Career

Downey first rose to prominence in sketch comedy program The D-Generation on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in the late 1980s. She subsequently appeared in later sketch comedy series with other members of The D-Generation, including Fast Forward, Full Frontal and Something Stupid. In these, she was known for her portrayals of a news anchor, a stern SBS presenter, and for her spot-on impression of current affairs host Jana Wendt. Her spoof of "The What's On SBS Presenter" satirized the eccentricity of SBS programming, displaying grim masochistic determination to "not miss a moment of this scintillating entertainment". In 2005, Downey was cast as a regular player in Seven's live comedy sketch show Let Loose Live, but the show was canceled after just two episodes due to low ratings. In 2006 she appeared in the sketch show Magda's Funny Bits alongside Magda Szubanski. In this show, she recreated her role as infomercial host Janelle, first developed on Fast Forward.

Downey's television roles are often authority figures or professional women with slightly eccentric personalities, such as the relationship-counselor she played in comedy series Kath & Kim.

On Fast Forward, Marg Downey appeared in a lot of sketches with Steve Vizard i.e. Eyewitness News, The Midday Show, Candid Camera, The Cosby Show & Get Smart.

Downey also played Clancy in the Skippy Send-up and appeared in send-ups of I Dream Of Jeannie, Mr Ed, Bewitched et al.