Dawn French was born on 11 October 1957 in Holyhead, on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. She arrived in the Welsh town because her father, Denys French, was serving in the Royal Air Force and was posted to nearby RAF Valley at the time of her birth.
The family moved on with her father's postings, and French later trained as an actress at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where she met Jennifer Saunders. Together they formed the celebrated double act French and Saunders, whose BBC sketch show ran from 1987 to 2007 and became one of the best-loved comedy partnerships in British television.
French found further success as the star of the BBC comedy drama Murder Most Horrid (1991-1999) and, most famously, as the title character in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007), a role that made her one of the most recognised comic actresses in Britain.
She was married to fellow comedian Lenny Henry from 1984 until their divorce in 2010, and later married charity executive Mark Bignell in 2013. Although her own family roots lie mainly in Devon and Cornwall rather than Wales, her birth in Holyhead gives her a genuine Welsh birthplace connection.
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Comedian and actress born in Holyhead, Anglesey, best known as one half of French and Saunders and for The Vicar of Dibley.
Dawn French
Actress born in Holyhead
Born in Holyhead, Anglesey, where her father, RAF serviceman Denys French, was stationed at nearby RAF Valley.
French declined an OBE in 2001, offered jointly with Jennifer Saunders for services to entertainment. She later starred in the BBC sitcom Wild West (2002-2004), set in Cornwall, which reflects her mother's West Country roots rather than any further Welsh connection.
Career Highlights
French and Saunders (BBC, 1987–2007) — pioneering comedy sketch series with Jennifer Saunders
The Vicar of Dibley (BBC, 1994–2007) — starred as the Reverend Geraldine Granger
Murder Most Horrid (BBC, 1991–1999) — lead role in the comedy-drama anthology series
ℹ️ Born 11 October 1957 in Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales.
Born in Holyhead, Anglesey, where her father, RAF serviceman Denys French, was stationed at nearby RAF Valley.
From: FlameFrame
Married to comedian Lenny Henry.
From: RonoMocco
Dawn French was born in Gors Hospital (no longer a hospital but a block of flats) on Holyhead! Her father was in the RAF.
From: owisped
Dawn appears to be prouder of her Cornish/Devon heritage given her comments about her work on 'Wild West'.