Jeanne Little

Background

Little was born in Sydney, Australia.

Career

She made her television debut on Network Ten"s Mike Walsh Show in September 1974. Invited on as a guest showcasing designer maternity clothes, Little quickly became a regular, eventually (after a stint at Channel Seven) moving with the Walsh Show to Channel Nine. The Seven Network had attempted two short-lived shows featuring Little"s unique talents: Jeanne"s Little Show (a variety/chat series) and Cuckoo in the Nest, a situation comedy in which she played a wacky Auntie Mame-type character.

She was a guest on the Midday with Ray Martin and her appearance on the British Broadcasting Corporation"s Michael Parkinson variety show so startled London critics she had the London Evening News saying: "What a woman! With her in the house you wouldn"t want a television" Among the overseas guests she has appeared with are Phyllis Diller, George Burns and Danny Louisiana Rue.

She performed at the Royal Command Bicentennial Concert before the Prince and Princess of Wales. Her stage career took off with Jerry"s Girls where American director John Frost teamed Jeanne with Marcia Hines, Debra Byrne and Judi Connelli.

Then came Legends with Kerrie Biddell, Toni Lamond and Nancye Hayes at the Sydney Opera House. Marlene, Little"s one woman tribute to Marlene Dietrich toured Australia and the United States to critical acclaim, followed by More of a Little, which was filled with songs and chat.

In the late 90s through to the mid-2000s Little appeared on the panel discussion show Beauty and the Beast.

In February 2011, it was announced Little was suffering from Alzheimer"s Disease, first diagnosed in 2009 and is being cared for in a nursing home. In August 2014, family members advised that Little"s illness had advanced to the stage that she "no longer knows where she is or what’s going on around her". Little married interior decorator, Barry Little, in 1971.

Achievements

• In 2001 Little was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to the community.