Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Catherine Tate
December 5, 1969
Bloomsbury, London, UK
56 Years Old
Sagittarius
Who Is Catherine Tate?
Catherine Tate is a British actress, comedian, and writer, celebrated for her mastery of character comedy and versatile performances. She excels at bringing a wide array of distinctive personalities to life on screen.
Her breakout moment arrived with the BBC sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and popular success. The show’s memorable characters and quotable catchphrases quickly became a cultural phenomenon across the UK.
Early Life and Education
A lively childhood unfolded in Bloomsbury, London, where Catherine Tate was raised in a female-dominated household by her mother, Josephine, and grandmother. Tate’s early life experiences influenced her keen observational humor.
Her passion for performing led her to Notre Dame High School and later to the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she honed the acting skills that would define her career.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has marked Catherine Tate’s personal life, culminating in her marriage to American screenwriter Jeff Gutheim. She was previously in a long-term relationship with stage manager Twig Clark, and also dated Take That star Jason Orange and broadcaster Adrian Chiles.
Tate shares a daughter, Erin Clark, with her former partner Twig Clark, with whom she co-parents.
Career Highlights
The Catherine Tate Show became Catherine Tate’s flagship work, earning numerous awards for its iconic characters like Lauren Cooper and Joanie “Nan” Taylor. The series, which ran from 2004 to 2007, cemented her status as a leading comedian and writer.
Her international reach expanded significantly with roles such as Donna Noble in Doctor Who, a popular companion to the Tenth Doctor, and Nellie Bertram in the US version of The Office. Tate later created and starred in Netflix's Hard Cell and BBC One’s Queen of Oz.
To date, Tate has collected an International Emmy Award nomination, seven BAFTA nominations, and several National Television Awards for her contributions to television comedy and drama.
Signature Quote
“I'm an incredibly negative person, so any form of success is only ever going to be a relief to me and set my default position back to neutral.”