Kitty Flanagan
Kitty Flanagan is one of Australia’s most successful and popular comedians, known for her sharp wit, observational humour, and extensive television career. She was nominated for a Helpmann Award in 2010 for her acclaimed live show Charming & Alarming. Kitty has become a familiar face on Australian television through her appearances on The Project, Good News Week, and Spicks and Specks.
Early Life and Education
Kitty Flanagan was a tiny, stick-like child with very large front teeth and fuzzy hair. As an adult, she often jokes that she still has very large front teeth and fuzzy hair.
She attended Catholic schools during her childhood, where she developed a healthy scepticism towards organised religion and a fascination with nuns. After leaving school, Kitty enrolled in several university courses but never completed a degree. At the time, higher education was free, allowing her to explore different study options before the introduction of HECS fees.
As a result, Kitty remains proudly “undegreed” and often uses her experiences as material in her comedy routines.
Career Before Comedy
Before becoming a full-time comedian, Kitty worked in advertising as a copywriter. She spent five years in the industry before eventually being fired, an event she has described as one of the best days of her life.
After briefly considering unemployment benefits, she decided instead to work in a bar. It was during this period that she first tried stand-up comedy at an open mic night at Sydney’s Harold Park Hotel.
Stand-Up Comedy Career
Kitty Flanagan quickly established herself on the Australian comedy circuit and soon secured a role on the popular sketch comedy television series Full Frontal. Her success led her to move to London, where she spent several years performing stand-up comedy and building an international reputation.
She has appeared at many of the world’s leading comedy festivals, including:
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Just for Laughs Montreal
- Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival
- Cape Town Comedy Festival
- Johannesburg Comedy Festival
Television and Writing Success
While living in the United Kingdom, Kitty appeared in the British comedy program The Sketch Show. She also starred in the short film Dating Ray Fenwick and continued performing stand-up comedy throughout her time overseas.
Her writing talents led to commissions from major broadcasters, including:
- BBC
- Channel 4
- Sky Television UK
These opportunities helped establish her as both a respected comedy writer and performer on the international stage.
Return to Australia
After several successful years overseas, Kitty returned to Australia, where she continued her stand-up career while expanding her work in television and film writing.
She toured nationally with her live comedy show Hello Kitty Flanagan and became a regular contributor on The Project, sharing her humorous take on current events and everyday life.
Personal Life
Kitty Flanagan lives in Sydney and continues to perform stand-up comedy across Australia. She shares her home with her beloved pets, Sarge the cat and Henry the dog, often referring to them as her furry children.
Today, Kitty remains one of Australia’s most respected comedians, known for her clever observations, relatable humour, and successful career spanning television, writing, and live performance.
