LONDON FACES
Olivia Lee
Known as ‘the UK’s answer
to Sarah Silverman’ Olivia is a
comedy actor and writer.
I have a very eccentric family. I grew up
surrounded by ‘characters’ so by default,
I was always funny, or odd. Sometimes
more of the latter I think. At school I was
always being told I was funny, but was
left bewildered as I was never trying to
be, so I guess my school days were spent
with people laughing at me, not with me.
I’ve been called ‘the UK’s answer to
Sarah Silverman.’ We’re both Jewish,
have huge asses (sorry Sarah) and mouths
like Dockers so I suppose it must be true.
Getting paid to be funny is fab. I spend
my days giggling and writing with my
producer, Piers, who I adore. Seeing the
words come to life on screen or being in
the moment performing them is brilliant.
Dirty Sexy Funny is the name of my
new TV show. It’s inspired by shows like
Gossip Girl and Desperate Housewives.
I play an anonymous City girl, narrating
a Grazia-cum-Belle de Jour style blog
about London. family dinner when I’d just started out
When I’m not working, I’m likely to in TV. My first show had just aired so it
be found in an oversized chair at Soho was a momentous occasion. Over dinner
House, or at the top floor cafe of the Tate my Grandpa, who had a captive audience,
Modern, drinking Earl Grey, eating éclairs said “That show you’re doing…I watched
and admiring the fabulous views. it…. it’s… shit…total and utter…shit.”
I get a lot of inspiration from London. Silence ensued; my comeback was,
You’ll never catch me reading on the pathetically, to shove a roast potato in
tube, I’m far too busy staring and my gob. It was one of the rare occasions
eavesdropping. My Booba’s (which is the where I’ve been left speechless.
Jewish term for Nan) house is great for There’s a relentless pressure for me
inspiration too. I take my friends there to be funny. When I meet people for
sometimes for chicken soup, a cuddle, the first time, sometimes, rather than
and the third degree; Are you married? saying I’m a comedian, I lie, and say I’m
Why not? What’s wrong with you? Are you a housewife, or an undertaker. Then I’m
a lesbian? That sort of thing. left well alone. Dirty Sexy Funny will
The worst heckle I’ve ever had was air on Comedy Central in March. For
from my Grandpa. We were having a big more go to olivialee.com
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