Celeberity Comedian & TV Personality

One of Australia’s funniest women of the stage, screen and radio, Jean started out as a stand-up comedian at Melbourne’s legendary venue Le-Joke and has never looked back. Jean’s career advanced with ABC’s The Big Gig and has grown exponentially, taking in shows such as Good News Week, Media Dimensions, The Great Debate and The Einstein Factor – to name just a few. 

Jean’s passion, though, is theatre, and in recent times has returned to her source to deliver the sequel to her famous Mums the Word play.

Multi-talented performer and writer

A multi-talented performer and writer, Jean Kittson is one of Australia's best known and most popular comedians, entertaining and amusing audiences in theatre and print, on radio and television.

Career beginnings

Like many performers, Jean Kittson's career beginnings centred on Melbourne's legendary comedy venue, Le Joke.  Jean Kittson's series of solo performances in her comedy debut established her as a natural performer whose star was sure to shine.

From Le Joke, Jean Kittson's career flourished with her appearance in the stage version of 'Let The Blood Run Free'.  The offbeat comedy of the show suited Jean Kittson's style perfectly and she was brilliant in her role as Nurse Pam Sandwich.  'Let The Blood Run Free' was later made into a television series for Network 10 and Britain's Channel Four, and was distributed world-wide.

National fame

National fame was inevitable for Jean Kittson given her unique ability to construct and create clever characters.  Her talent as a comic chameleon was on display in ABC TV's 'The Big Gig', with characters as different as the lovelorn newsreader Veronica Glenhuntly, new-age aerobics instructor Candida, and the acerbic air hostess Rose McCloud. 

Success followed success with Jean Kitsson then teaming with Maryanne Fahey to become the first female comedians to have their own show on Australian TV, 'Kittson Fahey', which won a Silver Medal at the New York Television Festival.

Jean Kittson's television work has made her an instantly recognisable face and a favourite with all who see her work.  She was a regular guest on 'Good News Week', starred in Channel 9's 'Flat Chat', and presented the ABC’s 'Media Dimensions' program. 

Great Debate Series

Jean Kittson's lively work on the 'Great Debate Series' shows another dimension of her talents.  She is thoughtful and articulate has successfully argued that 'The Aussie Bloke Is a Hopeless Joke'; that 'Beauty Is Better Than Brains'; that 'Middle Age Is Sexy'; and that 'Australia is Not the Arts End Of The World'.  At the 2003 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Jean Kittson argued convincingly that 'Celebrities Should be Seen and Not Heard'. Her latest debate in the 2006 Melbourne International Comedy Festival teamed Kittson with Paul McDermott and Jason Byrne to argue the affirmative case 'That Coming First is All that Matters'.'

Jean Kittson is a regular member of the Brains Trust on ABC TV's Einstein Factor, where she shows not just her comic gifts, but her wide-ranging general knowledge.  She also makes regular appearances on ABC's 'The Glasshouse'.  Jean Kittson is always an entertaining and engaging speaker.

Acting credits

Acting credits abound through Jean Kittson's career.  She not only creates characters herself but brings to life characters created by others.  In 1990 Jean starred in the David Williamson play 'Siren'.  In 1995 she wrote and performed her own one-woman play 'Escape'. She has also performed in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. 

With Glynn Nicholas, Jean Kittson performed 'Love Letters' for the 1995 Melbourne Arts Festival and went on to perform the same piece with Campbell McComas for the Noosa Arts and Cultural Festival.

Radio and print media

Performing on stage or television, in radio or print media, Jean Kittson has done it all.  Jean Kittson has been a writer and performer with Sydney’s 2DAY FM, a regular guest on ABC’s 702, and a breakfast presenter with MIX 106.5.  She has amused audiences in print with regular columns in 'New Weekly' magazine and the 'Sunday Telegraph Magazine' and currently writes a regular column for the Sydney Morning Herald. She has appeared in a number of television commercials and in 1998 published a collection of humorous observations titled 'Tongue Lashing' which became a Penguin best-seller.

Jean Kittson has also appeared in many feature films, among them Bill Bennett’s 'The Nugget' in 2002, and recently 'Hating Alison Ashley', starring opposite Delta Goodrem.

Firm favourite

Jean Kittson is a firm favourite on the corporate convention and after-dinner speakers’ circuit, where she has performed for more than 300 clients, including QBE, Australia Post, Sun Microsystems, Telstra, ANZ, Australian Hotels Association, Heineken, Mercantile Mutual, Ford, WA Industry Export Awards, Barclays, JD Edwards and many more... Praise for Jean Kittson's professionalism and performances is invariably glowing.

Presentation Topics Include

• Master of Ceremonies
• Humourous presentations to suit industry sector
• Comedic performance

Testimonials

“Excellent.  THE BEST YET."
The Big Gig Event Company 

“Excellent.  Jean’s preparation, presentation and content were spot on.  She held the audience in the palm of her hand and on the edge of their seats.  A true professional.
Wandjina Pty Ltd 

“Excellent.  Jean was both professional and entertaining and a pleasure to work with."
Standards Australia International 

“Excellent.  Jean was an absolute delight to have at our function. She made an outstanding contribution to the huge success of the night."
Ravenswood School for Girls 

Jean was incredible! The audience absolutely loved her performance. She was truly professional and read the audience well.
Aged Care Queensland 

Fantastic! Dynamic! Amazing! A real star
Atherns 

Jean obviously puts a great deal of time and effort into her presentations - she was able to entertain an extremely varied group of people with her humour.
Bass Hotels and Resorts 

Jean Kittson's presentation was a sensational performance and captivated the entire audience.
CSL Limited 

Jean Kittson was a terrific guest speaker and the audience thoroughly enjoyed her performance.
East Gippsland Institute of Tafe 

Jean was well prepared and delivered a witty, engaging and entertaining performance.
Electric Cement 

“One of the great debaters - superb delivery from extensively researched material. A lady and comedian of the highest order - witty, sensuous and clever."
Goldwell Cosmetics, Australia 

"Jean was fantastic - she really contributed to the debate and I appreciated the extra time and effort she kindly gave to ensure the event was a success."
Guardian Pharmacy, Guardian Members Conference 

“What a brilliant performance! Not only did you contribute a creative address but you did so with charm and good manner."
Housing Industry Association, Australia 

Jean is just the best speaker - not only her expression but also her humour.
Law Office Management Group Inc. (NSW) 

Jean was absolutely fabulous - well prepared, well researched, well presented. Oh and she stole the hearts of about 100 guys.
LME Downunder 

Very few comedians would take the time to research an organisation as thoroughly as Jean did. Her efforts were well rewarded by a very appreciative audience. That is when they could stop laughing to do so!
Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria

Jean was great. She prepared herself well and read the group well - very professional and very funny.
RAC

Jean's vibrant personality, affable nature and wonderful zest for life make her a fantastic speaker and personality. She has many 'fans' present and they couldn't get enough of her. She was willing to please and open to everything we suggested.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of SA & NT Inc. 

Jean was absolutely outstanding. She researched the topic with great thoroughness and was really able to target her presentation to her audience. Intelligent, perceptive and witty and managed to put a light-hearted view but insightful spin on some difficult issues.
Young Irrigation Network