Josie Lawrence

About

Josie Lawrence is a versatile comedienne, actress, and talented improviser known for her quick wit, improvisational skills, and powerful stage presence. With a career spanning comedy, theatre, television, and charity work, she has become a celebrated figure in British entertainment.

Comedy and TV Career

Lawrence’s career took off in 1988 when she joined the improvisational comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Her signature ability to improvise songs, combined with her humor, made her a standout on the series. In 1991, she briefly headlined her own comedy show, Josie, and starred in the film Enchanted April the following year.

Lawrence went on to appear in The Masterson Inheritance, an improvised comedy series in which she performed alongside Paul Merton and other notable comedians. She has also been a guest on British panel shows such as QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, where her natural comedic talent has consistently shone through.

Theatre Accomplishments

A classically trained actress, Lawrence’s theatre credits are impressive. Her performances include Moll Flanders in Moll Flanders, Lisa Dolittle in Pygmalion, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, for which she won the Manchester Evening News Award for Best Actress.

Lawrence has also performed for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), playing Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, and Helen of Troy in Faust. In 2001, she took on the lead role of Mrs. Anna in The King and I at the London Palladium, which ran successfully for nine months.

Charitable Work

In 2003, Lawrence dedicated eight months to fundraising for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, walking across China, Cuba, Peru, and Tanzania to help raise over £550,000. Her dedication to the cause highlighted her passion for philanthropy and her commitment to making a positive impact.

Later Roles

Lawrence continued her TV career with roles in shows such as Acorn Antiques in the West End, where she played the role of Mrs. Overall’s villainous daughter. She also starred in the comedy The Complete Guide to Parenting in 2006 alongside Peter Davison, and appeared in the BBC1 series Robin Hood as well as ITV’s adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop.

With her memorable performances and charitable endeavors, Josie Lawrence remains a beloved and multifaceted talent, continuing to captivate audiences with her humor, warmth, and versatility.