Debra Byrne | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Debra with her daughter Lucille in 2012 | |
| Born | Debra Anne Byrne 30 March 1957 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1969-present |
| Spouses |
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| Partner |
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| Children | 3 (including Lucille Le Meledo) |
Debra Anne Byrne (born 30 March 1957), formerly billed as Debbie Byrne, is an Australian pop singer, variety entertainer, theatre and TV actress and writer, director and choreographer of cabaret. From April 1971 to March 1975 she was a founding cast member of Young Talent Time. She started her solo singing career with a cover version of "He's a Rebel" (March 1974), which peaked at No. 25 on the Go-Set Australian Singles chart. At the Logie Awards of 1974 she won Best Teenage Personality and followed with the Queen of Pop Award in October – both ceremonies were sponsored by TV Week. She repeated both wins in the following year.
As a stage actress Byrne appeared in the Australian musical theatre versions of Cats (July 1985 to mid-1987), Les Misérables (November 1987 to May 1988, December 1989 to June 1990) and Sunset Boulevard (October 1996 to June 1997). Her solo album, Caught in the Act (April 1991), peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold. In 2006 Byrne published her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir.
Career
Early career as pop singer
In 1969 Debra "Debbie" Byrne made her television debut on Brian and the Juniors, a children's variety and talent quest, which was hosted by newsreader Brian Naylor.[1]: 25 [2] She stayed with the show for 12 months until it finished late in 1970. In April 1971 she became an original cast member on Young Talent Time, another children's talent quest, which was hosted by Johnny Young.[1]: 48–50 [3] Byrne proved to be a popular cast member: in March 1974 she won the Logie Award for Best Teenage Personality and the TV Week Queen of Pop Award in October.[4][5]
In March 1974, before leaving the Young Talent Time regular cast, Byrne released her first solo single, "He's a Rebel", a cover version of the Phil Spector-produced 1962 hit by the Crystals.[4][6] It peaked at No. 25 on the Go-Set Top 40 Australian Singles chart,[7] and reached No. 1 on the Melbourne charts.[4] Her debut album, She's a Rebel (1974), was produced by Young, with session musicians including Russell Dunlop on drums (ex-Aesops Fables, SCRA, Renée Geyer and Mother Earth, Johnny Rocco Band), Tim Partridge on bass guitar (Company Caine, Mighty Kong, Kevin Borich Express), Mark Punch on guitar (Johnny Rocco Band, Renée Geyer Band) and Terry Walker on guitar and backing vocals (the Strangers, Pastoral Symphony).[8]
Byrne's follow-up single was a second Crystals cover, "Da Doo Ron Ron" (January 1975), backed by the track, "Boogie Man".[4] In that year she won both the Logie Award for Best Teenage Personality and the TV Week Queen of Pop Award for a second time.[4][9] In September 1975 Byrne travelled to London to record at Abbey Road Studios with Cliff Richard producing. While in London, she made public and TV appearances, including on The Cliff Richard Show.[4]
Byrne's first Australian television guest appearance as a featured solo artist was on The Graham Kennedy Show at the age of fifteen. Since then she has made a guest appearance on every major Australian Tonight show and was a regular performer on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) series, The Saturday Show. In 1978 she merged singing with acting for the first time on the ABC's Follies series. From August 1980 Byrne co-starred alongside John Farnham in their own series, Farnham and Byrne.[10] Craig Walsh of The Australian Women's Weekly previewed a segment for a rock 'n' roll themed episode, "[its] staging promises to make the series the smash hit of 1980, say the producers" with Byrne declaring "I've just discovered I can dance better than I thought."[10]
Byrne's career stalled between 1980 and 1985 due to her heroin addiction, for which she undertook rehab at Odyssey House.[4] A further stumbling block occurred when a sex tape of her and a former partner was stolen and leaked to the media.[1]: 435–6, 446–9 [11]
In mid-1985, Byrne recorded her second solo album, The Persuader, which was produced by Peter Dawkins.[1]: 288 [12] She issued the single "The Persuader" in August, but neither single or album charted.[4] She made a successful and highly publicised career comeback in 1985 with the starring role as Kathy McLeod, opposite Matt Dillon, in the feature film, Rebel.[4][13] She was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for the performance.[14] Byrne sang lead vocals on nine of ten tracks on Rebel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985).[15][16]
Cabaret and concert performances
Byrne's live cabaret, Caught in the Act Again, commenced during mid-1999, it included both show tunes and some original material. The first half was "a little too low-key, mostly because the songs all have a similar, slow, acid-jazzy tempo" according to Fiona Scott-Norman of The Age.[17] She was backed by John McAll on piano and Don Hirini as backing vocalist; she also co-wrote some material, including "I Don't Make the Rules", with Hirini.[17] Caught in the Act Again earned a Green Room Award nomination for Best Cabaret Performance and Best Musical Arrangement.
Her cabaret work includes writing, directing, choreographing and starring in Girls, Girls, Girls from May to June 2002.[18] The show also starred Wendy Stapleton and Lisa Edwards (replaced by Nikki Nicholls) as a tribute to the Supremes, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline and Lulu.[19][20] In 2002 it won the Herald Sun Best Cabaret Award.[18][21] The shows had sold out before they opened.[22] In subsequent years Byrne, Stapleton and Nicholls periodically resumed Girls, Girls, Girls.
Since 1972 Byrne has been a regular performer at the Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight concert at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl. At the 2005 concert she performed a duet of Silent Night with her five-year-old daughter, Lucille, who was making her professional stage and television debut. In late 2006 her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, was published on Pan Macmillan.[23] She described how the book took her four years to write, "On and off. I wrote and I didn't write."[23] Byrne reprised her role of Grizabella in the ExitLeft production of Cats, which was staged at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart in late-October 2007.[24]
2009–present: stage and television roles
In April 2009 Byrne played the role of Sue Barnes in Metro Street at its world premiere in Adelaide and its subsequent tour to South Korea, with an appearance at the Daegu International Musical Festival (see Daegu) in June.[25][26][27]
From 29 July 2010 to April 2011 she played the role of the Bird Woman in the original Australian production of the stage musical, Mary Poppins at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre.[28][29] She reprised the role in its Sydney run at the Capitol Theatre.[30] From May to June 2012 Byrne played the role of Claire Christie in the Nine Network's Tricky Business.[31]
From February to March 2014 she appeared on a dramatised crime biography, Fat Tony & Co., portraying Judy Moran, wife of Lewis Moran who was part of the Carlton Crew which were involved in the Melbourne gangland killings.[32] Fat Tony & Co. focused on the rise and fall of convicted drug mastermind, Tony Mokbel,[33] and is an offshoot to the first series of Underbelly (February–May 2008).[32] Byrne described her portrayal of Moran "You'd be surprised what I wear as Judy that's from my own wardrobe [...] There's a definite air of the theatrical about her and a lot of what I saw Judy wearing ... I thought she wore some really nice clothes. Everything she wore was so over the top."[32]
In 2016 she took the role of Carlotta Campion in a concert version of Follies at the Melbourne Recital Hall for a limited run of three performances in May.[34] In August she worked with Vika Bull in their Carole King tribute show, Tapestry.[35][36] In late 2016, Byrne appeared on the third series of ABC comedy, Upper Middle Bogan.
From 2017 through to 2019, she toured with Vika Bull in their Carole King tribute show 'Tapestry'.
In mid 2019, she is set to play the Beggar Woman in a production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opposite Anthony Warlow and Gina Riley.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Caravan Holiday | as herself | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1985 | Rebel | Kathy McLeod | as Debbie Byrne |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Brian and the Juniors | Regular member | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1971-1975 | Young Talent Time | Regular team member | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1972 | The Graham Kennedy Show | performs "Top of the World" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1973 | Australian Popular Song Festival 1973 | Guest Performer | TV special |
| 1973 | Ted Hamilton's New Wave | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1974 | It's Magic | Special Guest | TV series, Episode 4 |
| 1974 | The 16th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1974 | Ted Hamilton's Musical World | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1974-1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1974-1975 | TV Week King of Pop | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1974 | Countdown | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | Countdown | performs "Boogie Man" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | The 17th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | TV Week King of Pop | performs rock medley | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | The Graham Kennedy Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975-1983 | The Don Lane Show | performs "How Can I Tell You" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975-1976 | The National Record Industry Awards | performs "Tell Sonny Not To Come" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1975 | The Norman Gunston Show | performs "Da Doo Run Run" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | It's Cliff Richard & Friends (UK) | performs "It Only Happens" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | The 1976 Australian Popular Song Festival | performs "There'll Never Be A Way" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | The Ernie Sigley Show | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | Young Talent Time | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | The Mike Walsh Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | The National Record Industry Awards | performs "This Is Your City/Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | Bandstand '76 | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1976 | Ernie | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks | guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | The Celebrity Game | guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977,1979 | Six Tonight | Guest - Herself | TV special |
| 1977 | Countdown | performs "You Promised Me the Love" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | Telethon '77 | Herself - Guest Performer | TV special |
| 1977 | King Of Pop: 1977 TV Week Australian Popular Music Awards | Guest - Herself | TV special |
| 1977 | Music for the People Concert | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | The Don Lane Show | performs "Dirty 'Ol Man" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1977 | Telethon: First Hour | Guest - Herself | TV special |
| 1977 | Soundcheck | Herself - Guest judge | TV pilot |
| 1978 | The 1978 Australian Popular Song Festival | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1978 | Cop Shop | Kerry Clements | 3 Episodes |
| 1978 | The Paul Hogan Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | The Saturday Show | as Debbie Byrne | 27 episodes |
| 1978 | Barry Humphries Special: Dame Edna Farewell To Melbourne | Guest Performer | TV special |
| 1979 | Young Talent Time 8th Birthday Special | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1979 | TV Follies | Jill Johnson / Laura Summers | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1979 | Six Tonight | Guest - Herself | TV special |
| 1979 | Sammy Awards | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1980 | Telethon '80 | Herself | TV special |
| 1980 | Farnham and Byrne | as Debbie Byrne | Host and performer, 9 Episodes |
| 1980-1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Regular performer | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1981 | The 21st Annual TV Week Logie Awards | performs "I've Got the Music In Me" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1981 | Young Talent Time 10th Birthday Special | performs "I Don't Know How to Love Him" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1981 | Countdown | performs "Tears" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1981 | Parkinson In Australia | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1982 | Ten Eyewitness News | News report | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1982 | The Don Lane Show | performs unknown song | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1983 | Countdown Music & Video Awards | performs "He's a Rebel" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1983 | The Don Lane Show | performs "Why Don't You Move In With Me Today" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1984-1996 | The Annual Carols By Candlelight | Performer | as Debbie Byrne/Debra Bryne |
| 1985-1998 | The Midday Show | Regular performer | as Debbie 1993-98 Debra |
| 1985 | Blankety Blanks | Guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1985 | The Mike Walsh Show | Herself - Guest with Suzi Quatro | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1985-1998 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Regular performer | as Debbie 1993-98 Debra |
| 1985 | Sounds | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1985 | Star Search | Guest performer | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1986-1987 | Australia Day Concert | Performer | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1986 | Young Talent Time 15th Birthday Spectacular | performs "Tell Him" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1986 | Late Night with Jono and Dano | performs "Heroes" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1986 | The Two Ronnies in Australia | performs "So Sad the Song" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1987;1989 | Rafferty's Rules | Sally Edwards/Tricia Rogan | 2 Episodes |
| 1987 | Have a Go | Guest panel | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1988 | The N.S.W. Royal Bicentennial Concert | performs "You're the Voice" and "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1989 | The Bert Newton Show | Regular performer | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1988 | Young Talent Time 17th Birthday Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1988 | Olympathon | Guest Performer | TV special |
| 1988,1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Walking After Midnight" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1988 | Life Education Television Appeal | Presenter | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1989 | The Bert Newton Show | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
| 1989,1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself sings "Seven Lonely Nights" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself sings "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | In Melbourne Today | Performs "Nature's Lament" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990-1993 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
| 1990,1990 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Way Over Yonder" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest (Red Faces)/Herself sings "Little By Little" | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991 | 1991 TV Week Logie Awards | as Debbie Byrne | Performer |
| 1991;1999 | What's Cooking | as Debbie Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1991 | The Big Square Eye | as Debbie Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991;1992 | Police Rescue | Maria Mellick / Tricia Mellick | 2 Episodes |
| 1991 | Rugby League: First Test. Australia Vs New Zealand | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | TV special |
| 1991 | 1991 Coca-Cola Australian Music Awards | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
| 1991 | Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune | Guest - Contestant with Chelsea Brown & Guy Leach | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | G.P. | Helen Cartwright | 1 Episodes |
| 1992 | 1992 Aria Music Awards | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
| 1992 | Home and Away | Julia Bowman | 44 episodes |
| 1992 | John Farnham's 25th Anniversary Special | as Debbie Byrne | TV special |
| 1992 | The Flying Doctors | Guest role: Andrea Griffin | TV series, Season 9, 1 episode 19: Yesterday's News |
| 1992 | Dancin' Dynamite | Performer as Debbie Byrne | ABC TV special |
| 1992 | The Main Event | Special guest | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1992 | Burke's Backyard | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993-2005 | Good Morning Australia | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993 | Tonight 'Live | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993 | Ray Martin's Top Sorts and Superstars | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993 | Law of the Land | Jean Jardine | Regular |
| 1993 | Getaway | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993-95 | Ernie and Denise | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1993 | Sunday | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Live It Up | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Kate Ceberano and Friends | Performs "So Soon" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Review | Guest presenter | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Concert for Rwanda | Performs "Diamond In the Rough" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994;1998 | Today | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Midday With Derryn Hinch | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Australia's Best for the Bush Concert | Performs "Hard Times" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | Great Moments in Australian Theatre | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | AFL Today Grand Final | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1994 | World Vision: Vision for a Better World Appeal | Performs "So Soon" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1995 | Naked: Stories of Men | Sharon | 1 Episode |
| 1995 | This Is Your Life | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1995 | The Challenge Concert for Spina Bifida | Performs "Nearly Home" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1995 | A Current Affair: The Challenge | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1995;1999 | Eleven AM | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Don't Forget Your Toothbrush | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1996 | Today Tonight | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1996 | Witness | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1996 | This Is Your Life: The Showbiz Greats | Special guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1997 | Oz Encounters: UFO's In Australia | Voice & writer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1997 | When Rock Was Young: The 70s | Archive clip: Performs "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from YTT | as Debbie Byrne |
| 1997 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1997;1998 | In Melbourne Tonight | Performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 1998 | Today | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1998 | State Coroner | Tracy Dabovich | 1 Episode |
| 1998 | Laws | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1999;2001 | Beauty and the Beast | as Debra Byrne | |
| 1998 | The Mike Walsh Show Years | as Debra Byrne | Performer |
| 1998 | Seven Nightly News | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 1999 | What's Cooking | as Debbie Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Eleven AM | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999;2001 | Denise | performs "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" | as Debra Byrne |
| 1999 | Rugby League NRL Grand Final | Performs "Advance Australia Fair" | as Debra Byrne |
| 2001 | 2001 Royal Children's Hospital Variety Gala | Herself as performer | TV special |
| 2001 | Denise | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2001 | Today Tonight | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2001 | Beauty and the Beast | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Young Talent Time Tells All | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV special |
| 2001 | An Audience with John Farnham | Guest as Debra Byrne (Audience member) | TV special |
| 2002 | The Secret Life of Us | Peta | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 2003 | Love Is In the Air | Guest as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode "She’s Leaving Home" |
| 2003 | This Is Your Life: 10 Year Celebration | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV special |
| 2003 | Young Talent Time: The Collection | Herself as Debra Byrne | DVD video |
| 2006 | Studio A with Simon Burke | Guest performer | as Debra Byrne |
| 2005/2006 | Spicks and Specks | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | How the Hell Did We Get Here? | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | Today Tonight | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | 9am | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | Spicks and Specks | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2006 | Spicks & Specks: Another Specky Christmas | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2007 | City Homicide | Marijke Sharman | 1 Episode |
| 2007-2008 | 20 to 1 | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2008 | Uncovering the Cover of Celebrities | Guest as Debra Byrne | Web series |
| 2009 | Bent TV | Guest as Debra Byrne | Web series |
| 2009 | Wrok Down | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2010 | The Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Presenter | as Debra Byrne |
| 2010 | Postcards | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2010 | Nine News | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2010 | A Current Affair | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2011 | Love Dream Believe | as Debra Byrne | Web series |
| 2011 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2011 | Mary Poppins: Behind the Scenes | Bird Lady | as Debra Byrne |
| 2011 | Helpmann Awards | Presenter | as Debra Byrne |
| 2012 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Guest | as Debra Byrne |
| 2012 | Tricky Business | Claire Christie | Lead role, 13 Episodes |
| 2012 | ABC News | as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | Today | Guest as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | Fat Tony & Co. | Judy Moran | Recurring role, 6 Episodes |
| 2016 | Today Extra | Herself - Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | News Breakfast | Guest as Debra Byrne | ABC TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | Upper Middle Bogan | Susan | Guest role, 1 episode |
| 2017 | Underbelly Files: Chopper | Judy Moran | Recurring role, 2 Episodes |
| 2021, 2023 | Studio 10 | as Debra Byrne | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2021 | Australian Open Tennis | performs "I Am Woman" with Angie Hart | TV special |
| 2023 | The Morning Show | Herself - Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2023 | Studio 10 | Herself - Guest & Peter Phelps | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2023 | Studio 10 10th Birthday Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
Stage
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-1987 | Cats | Grizabella | Australian Tour |
| 1986 | Jerry's Girls | as Herself | Australian Tour |
| 1987-1990 | Les Misérables | Fantine | Australian Tour |
| 1995 | Hot Shoe Shuffle | April | Australian Tour |
| 1996-1997 | Sunset Boulevard | Norma Desmond | Australian Tour |
| 2003 | Minefields and Miniskirts | The Nurse | Malthouse Theatre |
| 2006 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Muzzie | Arts Centre Melbourne |
| 2007 | Little Me | Belle Portine | Arts Centre Melbourne |
| 2007 | Cats | Grizabella | Derwent Entertainment Centre |
| 2008 | Follies | Sally Durant Plummer | Arts Centre Melbourne |
| 2008 | High School Musical | Mrs. Darbus | Derwent Entertainment Centre |
| 2009 | Metro Street | Sue Barnes | Australian and Asian Tour |
| 2010-2012 | Mary Poppins | Bird Woman | Australian Tour |
| 2016 | Follies | Carlotta Campion | Concert Version |
| 2021 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | The Beggar Woman | Australian Tour |
| 2023 | La Cage Aux Folles | Australian Tour |
Cabaret
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Girls, Girls, Girls | With Wendy Stapleton and Nikki Nichols |
| 2013 | Last Man Standing | Arts Centre Melbourne |
| 2017 | Tapestry | With Vika Bull |
Personal life
Debra Anne Byrne was born on 30 March 1957 in Fitzroy to Norman Owen Byrne (born ca. 1928 – 2014) and Verna Alice née Reid (ca. 1930 – 1980).[1]: 2, 10 She was the fifth of six children, her siblings are Lynda (died 2002), Cheryl, Sandra (died 1970), Peter and Robyn.[1]: 2, 63 She also has a younger half sister, Rebecca. Norman worked as an engineering foreman; he became violent when drunk.[1]: 2–18 [37] According to Byrne she was sexually abused by her maternal grandfather, Ken Reid, from a young age until 13.[1]: 55–58, 344 [37] In 1993 Byrne dropped the usage of "Debbie" as her first name.[38]
During her stint in Young Talent Time Byrne had a sexual relationship with "Michael", an on-set boom-camera operator: she was under-age and he was more than ten years older.[1]: 68–102 [39] She later recalled, "I didn't feel protected at all. The attitude was, 'It's over now, it's finished', but this was personal and embarrassing and humiliating and distressing ... Parents need to be aware that even now, with the best protections in place, there's going to be someone who cares more for the product than the child. No law can change that."[39]
In February 1975 she was hospitalised due to "a nervous collapse brought on by a strenuous touring campaign."[40] Her support slot on a tour for United States singer, Gene Pitney, was taken up by Samantha Sang.[40] Byrne described how "I was drinking, smoking, barely eating, and spending a lot of time in hotel rooms fighting anxiety and depression."[1]: 132
By October 1978 Byrne was married to David John Dudley (born ca. 1956) and the couple lived in Elwood.[1]: 132, 148 In that month the pair were cleared of drugs charges; Byrne declared that "she knew of some entertainers who had 'come to grief' by being associated with drugs. She had been to one or two parties where drugs were being used but she did not mix with that section of the entertainment industry."[41] Later she recalled meeting Dudley at a party where her "latest boyfriend was an everyday dope smoker and I loved the freedom the drug gave me."[1]: 132 They had a daughter together, Arja. Her marriage to Dudley broke-up in 1980 and her mother died in that year.[42]
Debra gave birth to her second daughter, Lauren, who was fathered by director Chris Webb.
During 1987 while rehearsing for her role of Fantine in the Australian theatre production of Les Misérables, Byrne met fellow actor, Neil Melville.[43] By June 1989 the couple were planning their wedding.[44] Byrne and Melville separated in November 1996 and later divorced.[45]
Byrne's performances as Norma Desmond on Sunset Boulevard from October 1996 to June 1997 were interrupted by "her frequent and sudden absences from the show [which] were partially blamed for the show's lack of success" despite "great critical notices."[46] She had attempted suicide late in 1997 and was being treated by a psychiatrist to feel "more focused and driven than ever before."[46] She was diagnosed with clinical depression and undertook a course of prescription medication.[46] In March 1998 she told Peter Ford of Playbill that "Nobody ever bothered to investigate if that was my major problem, when finally I had a label for my troubles it was a great relief."[46]
Byrne was the domestic partner of French musician, Ced Le Meledo, with whom she collaborated on the live show, Paris-Melbourne. They had one daughter together, Lucille Le Meledo (b. 12 July 2000). The couple separated in 2006. Her daughter eventually made her theatrical debut in 2011 as the title role in Annie.
[47] In that same year her autobiography, Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, was released and described by her publisher as "the real story of her gritty, sometimes perilous existence as she chased her career, became addicted to heroin and finally rehabilitated herself".[23]
As of 2019, she lives in Melbourne with her daughter Lucille and two of her grandsons whom she has custody of.
Discography
Studio albums
- She's a Rebel (1974)
- The Persuader (1985)
- Caught in the Act(1991)
- Sleeping Child (1994)
- New Ways to Dream (1997)
Soundtrack appearances
- Cats - Original Australian Cast Recording (1985)
- Rebel - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985)
- Les Miserables - The World Symphonic Recording (1988)
- Mary Poppins - Original Australian Cast Recording (2010)
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARIA Music Awards of 1992 | Caught in the Act | Best Adult Contemporary Album | Nominated |
King of Pop Awards
The King of Pop Awards were voted by the readers of TV Week. The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978.[48]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | herself | Queen of Pop | Won |
| 1975 | herself | Queen of Pop | Won |
Logie Awards
The Logie Awards (officially the TV Week Logie Awards) is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by magazine TV Week, with the first ceremony in 1959. The awards represent both public and industry voted awards.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974[49] | herself | Best Teenage Personality | Won |
| 1975[50] | herself | Best Teenage Personality | Won |
Mo Awards
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Byrne won three awards in that time.[51]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Debbie Byrne | Female Vocal Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| 1988 | Debbie Byrne | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
| 1989 | Debbie Byrne | Female Musical Theatre Performer of the Year | Won |
Other awards
- 1985 AFI Award nomination for Best Actress in a Lead Role for Rebel[14]
- 1991 Grammy Award for Best Theatre Musical Soundtrack, shared with cast of The World Symphonic Recording of Les Misérables,
- 2002 Herald Sun Best Cabaret Award for Girls, Girls, Girls,
- Green Room Award nomination for Best Cabaret Performance and Best Musical Arrangement for Caught in the Act Again,
- 2009 Daegu Musical Award for Best Actress for Metro Street.
Bibliography
- Byrne, Debra (2006), Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, Macmillan, ISBN 978-1-4050-3765-5
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Byrne, Debra (2006), Not Quite Ripe: A Memoir, Macmillan, ISBN 978-1-4050-3765-5
- ↑ "Remembering the Juniors". Television.AU. 7 June 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "Young Talent Time reunited on ACA". Television.AU. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Debra Byrne'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004.
- ↑ "Logie Awards: 1974". TV Week. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "Debbie Byrne – 'He's a Rebel'". Where Did They Get That Song?. PopArchives (Lyn Nuttall). Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ Nimmervoll, Ed (17 August 1974). "National Top 40". Go-Set. Waverley Press. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ She's a Rebel (liner notes). Debbie Byrne (performer). L & Y Records. 1974. L 35362.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ "Logie Awards: 1975". TV Week. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- 1 2 Walsh, Craig (2 July 1980). "Back to the 50s... Rock 'n Roll Blast-off!". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 48, no. 5. p. 2 (Your TV Magazine). Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Celebrity sex tapes". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ Byrne, Debbie (1985), The Persuader, EMI, retrieved 11 September 2016
- ↑ Stratton, David (1990). The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry. Pan MacMillan. p. 114. ISBN 0-7329-0250-9.
- 1 2 "1985 Winners & Nominees". Australian Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "Rebel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Australian Television Memorabilia Guide. Nodette Enterprises Pty Ltd. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ Malone, Peter (25 March 1996). "Michael Jenkins". Peter Malone's Website. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- 1 2 Scott-Norman, Fiona (18 June 1999). "Byrne's Emotional and Courageous Performance". The Age. Fairfax Media. p. 15.
- 1 2 "Event: Girls, Girls, Girls". AusStage. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ↑ "Australia Day Ambassadors – Wendy Stapleton". Australia Day Committee. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Australia Day Ambassadors – Lisa Edwards". Australia Day Committee. Archived from the original on 1 December 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Hanusiak, Xenia (21 May 2002). "Review: Girls, Girls, Girls". The Herald Sun. p. 55.
- ↑ Scott-Norman, Fiona; Crotty, Joel (24 December 2002). "The reinvention of cabaret". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 Carbone, Suzanne; Money, Lawrence (19 October 2006). "Finally, Deb spills the beans". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ↑ "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats". Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Metro Street". State Theatre Company of South Australia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Metro Street teacher notes.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Lamb, Victoria. "Metro Street". Victoria Lamb Official Website. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Allen, David (4 November 2011). "Debra Byrne – life, theatre and her new one woman show". AussieTheatre.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Event: Mary Poppins". AusStage. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Cowle, June (4 September 2011). "Sunday Brunch – Debra Byrne (4/9/11)". Weekend Sunday with Simon Marnie. 702 ABC Sydney (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Zuk, Tim. "Tricky Business". Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 "First look of Deb Byrne as Judy Moran in Nine's Fat Tony & Co". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. 23 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Drug kingpin Mokbel sentenced to 30 years". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 4 July 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Event: Follies in Concert". AusStage. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Vika Bull And Debra Byrne Perform The Songs of Carole King". theMusic.com.au. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Cashmere, Paul (8 August 2016). "Vika Bull and Debra Byrne Honour Carole King with Tapestry Shows". Noise11.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- 1 2 Fidler, Richard (14 November 2006). "Debra Byrne". Conversations with Richard Fidler. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "Striking out with an individual voice". The Canberra Times. Vol. 69, no. 21, 633. 9 July 1994. p. 47. Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- 1 2 Marshall, Konrad (15 June 2013). "Young Talent Time". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- 1 2 "Dimboola returns to Canberra". The Canberra Times. Vol. 49, no. 13, 987. 11 February 1975. p. 11. Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Drug charges dropped". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 718. 4 October 1978. p. 10. Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ Smith, Pete (11 February 1981). "Pete Smith". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 48, no. 37. p. 40 (TV World). Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Event: Les Misérables". AusStage. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "New film about a colourful racing identity". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 619. 26 June 1989. p. 6 (The Guide). Retrieved 10 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (21 March 1997). "Diva Talk: Betty Takes 'Flight' at Maxim's". Playbill. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Ford, Peter (28 March 1998). "Australia's Diva Debra Byrne Readies for Major Melbourne Concert, Mar. 28". Playbill. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ Marshall, Konrad (27 April 2013). "Lunch with Debra Byrne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ↑ "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ↑ "1974 Logie Award Winners". AllDownUnder. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ↑ "1975 Logie Award Winners". AllDownUnder. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ↑ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- Turner, G., Cunningham, S., The Australian TV Book, Allen and Unwin, NSW, 2000. ISBN 1-86508-014-4
- Young terror time
- Sunset Boulevard press release
- A taste of Broadway
- Australian Child Stars of the Century
- Deb's little girl Byrnes bright
- Girls, Girls, Girls
- 1985 Mo Award Winners
- Original idols still send their loving
- Where are they now?
External links
- Debra Byrne at IMDb