Jane Turner: Biography, Wig, and Friendship with Gina Riley

If you grew up watching Australian TV in the 2000s, chances are you remember the unmistakable voice of Kath Day-Knight — “Look at me, look at me!” — and the perfectly coiffed wig that went with it, belonging to Jane Turner, the co-creator and star of the beloved comedy series Kath & Kim. Since the show ended, Turner has largely stepped out of the spotlight, leaving fans curious about where she is now, her friendship with Gina Riley, and whether she still wears that wig, a curiosity this article addresses with sourced answers to the most-asked questions about her life and career.

Full name: Jane Turner OAM ·
Date of birth: 1 December 1960 ·
Occupation: Actress, comedian, screenwriter ·
Known for: Co-creator and star of Kath & Kim ·
Awards: Logie Award for Most Outstanding Comedy Program (2003) ·
Years active: 1988–present

Seven key facts about Jane Turner, pulled from the most reliable available sources:

Did Gina Riley and Jane Turner get along?

Public statements and interviews

• Both have spoken positively about each other in interviews. The National Portrait Gallery describes their relationship as a “long creative partnership” (National Portrait Gallery (Australia’s national portrait institution)).
• No public feuds or conflicts have been reported. They co-wrote every episode of Kath & Kim together (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

On-screen chemistry vs. off-screen rapport

On screen, Kath and Kim bickered constantly. Off screen, Turner and Riley built a creative partnership that has lasted more than two decades. According to Now To Love (Australian lifestyle media), they remain close friends.

Continued collaboration after Kath & Kim

They reunited for the sketch show Open Slather in 2015, which also featured other Kath & Kim alumni (WHO (Australian celebrity news outlet)). In 2017, they worked together on the reunion special.

The implication: Turner and Riley’s relationship is one of the most enduring in Australian comedy, built on mutual respect and shared humor rather than public drama.

Where is Jane Turner now?

Recent appearances and projects

• After Kath & Kim, Turner appeared in Rake and the French comedy series Parlement (WHO (Australian celebrity news outlet)).
• She made a cameo in the 2017 Kath & Kim reunion special.
• She has not regularly appeared in media since the early 2010s, consistent with a low public profile (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle media)).

Public appearances and interviews since 2020

A 2020 profile described Turner as a grandmother and increasingly focused on climate and environmental issues (Cinema Movie Theater (entertainment site)). She has given very few interviews since then.

Current residence and personal life

Turner is married to lawyer John Denton and has three children (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). She lives in Australia and maintains a deliberately quiet private life.

The pattern: For fans who hope to see Turner again, the evidence points to a permanent shift away from the spotlight. Her legacy rests almost entirely on the two shows she co-created.

Does Jane Turner wear a wig in Kath & Kim?

The Kath Day-Knight hairstyle

The iconic blonde hairstyle of Kath Day-Knight was not Jane Turner’s natural hair — she wore a wig for the character. In a 2018 interview with Jo Litson, Turner confirmed that she “loves wearing wigs” and that the Kath wig was crafted by hairdresser Kevin Palmer (Cinema Movie Theater (entertainment site)).

Jane Turner’s own hair vs. wig

In real life, Turner has a more natural, shorter hairstyle. The wig was essential to Kath’s character — it added the “done-up” suburban look that made the parody so sharp.

Other wigs worn by Turner

Beyond Kath & Kim, Turner also wore wigs for other roles, including her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in a stage production, as noted in the same 2018 interview.

What this means: The wig was more than a costume — it defined Kath’s persona and helped cement the show’s visual comedy. Turner wore it proudly.

How old are Gina Riley and Jane Turner?

Birth dates of Turner and Riley

• Jane Turner: born 1 December 1960 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• Gina Riley: born 6 June 1961 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Ages as of current year

As of 2025, Turner is 64 and Riley is 63. Both are in their early-to-mid 60s.

Comparison of their career timelines

Both began acting in the late 1980s and met in the comedy scene before creating Kath & Kim together. Their parallel career arcs are nearly identical up to the show’s peak.

The implication: The similarity in age and career timing helped them build a creative rhythm that lasted for years. They grew up in the industry together.

What happened to Gina Riley?

Riley’s career after Kath & Kim

After the show ended in 2007, Riley stepped back from mainstream acting. She appeared in theatre productions including Northwest, An Ideal Husband, and Sweeney Todd (Now To Love (Australian lifestyle media)).

Reasons for her low public profile

In a 2018 interview, Riley said, “I don’t want to be a public person as I get older” (WHO (Australian celebrity news outlet)). That statement largely explains her withdrawal — it was a deliberate choice, not a forced exit.

Riley’s current activities and whereabouts

She has not given many interviews since the show ended but occasionally appears at charity events and cast reunions. According to Now To Love (Australian lifestyle media), she remains close with Turner and the cast. For more on entertainers who stepped away, see Chris Lilley: What Happened? Netflix Removal & Latest News.

The pattern: Riley’s withdrawal is a reminder that not every star who steps back is “disappearing” — sometimes they just choose a different kind of life.

Six key differences between Jane Turner and Gina Riley, side by side:

“I love wearing wigs. The Kath wig was styled by Kevin Palmer. It was a big part of making Kath look the way she did.”

Jane Turner in a 2018 interview with Jo Litson (Cinema Movie Theater (entertainment site))

“I don’t want to be a public person as I get older.”

Gina Riley in a 2018 interview (WHO (Australian celebrity news outlet))

For fans of Kath & Kim, the quiet lives of Turner and Riley mean that a full revival is unlikely — but their legacy remains intact through reruns and the enduring affection of audiences. For the Australian comedy scene, the loss of such a sharp creative duo leaves a gap that has never quite been filled. The choice for fans is clear: revisit the classics, or accept that some stars prefer to fade on their own terms. Other Australian comedic talents, such as Emma Holland, have also followed quieter paths after their initial fame.

Fans who want to know more about hennes karriär efter Kath & Kim will find a thorough look at her recent projects and personal life.

Frequently asked questions