# Denise Scott

Denise Margaret Scott AM (born 24 April 1955) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, television and radio presenter.

## Career

Scott has appeared frequently on Australian television since her regular slot on ABC TV's The Big Gig in 1990, and a weekly segment on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard. Scott was one of the most frequent guests on musical quiz show Spicks and Specks, and appeared several times on The Glass House and Good News Week.
In 1993 she performed the live show, Women Stand Up! with Sue Ingleton and Lynda Gibson. She also co-starred with Judith Lucy and Lynda Gibson in stage spectaculars Comedy Is Not Pretty (1999) and Comedy Is Still Not Pretty (2003).
She was a member of the Vega 91.5 FM breakfast radio show; Dave and Denise with Shaun Micallef (formerly called Shaun, Beverley and Denise), until she finished up with Vega on 23 November 2007.
Scott has made appearances on Network 10 shows Can of Worms, The Circle, The Project, All Star Family Feud, Would I Lie to You?, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
Scott starred as Trish Gross in the Australian drama series Winners & Losers on the Seven Network. She appeared as a guest on the talk show Can of Worms on Network Ten on Monday 29 August. Scott also appeared on Channel 31's To Hell in a Handbasket, with Dolly Diamond on Tuesday 17 December 2013.
Scott stars as Gwen in the Australian ABC comedy series It's a Date.
In 2017, Scott started narrating the Australian travel series Travel Guides on the Nine Network, and again teamed up with Judith Lucy for a new live show, Disappointments which commenced touring and was performed in Melbourne in April 2017 as part of the International Comedy Festival.
In April 2018, Network Ten announced Scott would join Studio 10 as a panelist.
In 2019, Scott competed in the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired up with Jeremy Garner. She was second to be eliminated from the competition.
In July 2019, Scott announced her resignation as a panelist on Studio 10.
In 2023, she stars in the reboot of the popular sitcom Mother and Son, written by Geoffrey Atherden. Scott portrays the ageing and frail Maggie, alongside Matt Okine who plays her son Arthur, the current series re-imagining also introduces a multicultural aspect, with the current Arthur being from a migrant background

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1985 | Malcolm | Willy's Wife | Feature film |
| 1988 | An Ordinary Woman | | Short film |
| 1992 | Vaudeville | Natural Normans | TV movie |
| 1995 | Gorgeous | Additional characters (voices) | Short film |
| 1995 | Maidenhead | Hat Shop Woman | Short film |
| 2007 | The Sounds of Aus | Self | TV movie |
| 2013 | Mother's Boy | Mother | Short film |
| 2014 | Timothy | Melinda Garrett | TV movie |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1989–90 | Tuesday Night Live: The Big Gig | Carmen / Babs Blewitt / Jude / Escort Agent / Doris / Wife / Magazine Reader | TV series, 9 episodes |
| 1992 | Six Pack | Katherine | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | Let the Blood Run Free | Mrs Rottweiler | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1993–95 | Full Frontal | Various characters | TV series, 26 episodes |
| 1996 | Neighbours | Coral Reeves | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Good Guys, Bad Guys | Waitress | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | Get a Life | Daphne Stork | TV series |
| 1998 | Halifax f.p. | Shiri | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | The Genie from Down Under 2 | Denise | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Blue Heelers | Pam Kelly | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | SeaChange | Wilhelmina Seagull | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2000 | Introducing Gary Perry | Woman at Zoo | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2000 | One Size Fits All | Various characters | TV series, 13 episodes |
| 2001 | Shock Jock | Miss Wanda | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2002 | Short Cuts | Mrs Coxon | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 2009 | The Librarians | Nurse | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2010 | Bed of Roses | Patti Rankin | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2010 | Sleuth 101 | Enid | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011 | Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey | Sister Aileen (flashback) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011–16 | Winners & Losers | Trish Gross | TV series, seasons 1–5, 75 episodes |
| 2013 | To Hell in a Handbasket, with Dolly Diamond | | TV series |
| 2013 | Being Brendo | Brenda Abbott | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2013–14 | It's a Date | Gwen | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Bleak: The Web Series | Noni | Web series, 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Please Like Me | Doctor | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2015–17 | House Husbands | Nurse Toni | TV series, season 4-5, 14 episodes |
| 2016 | Jack Irish | Sybill McLeod | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Travel Guides | Narrator | TV series |
| 2018 | True Story with Hamish & Andy | Bernadette | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2019 | Get Krackin | Margaret | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2021–22 | Fisk | Leslie | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2023-present | Mother and Son | Maggie | TV series, 8 episodes |

### Television (as self)

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1990 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | Regular guest | TV series |
| 1996 | In Melbourne Tonight | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | Smallest Room in the House | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2000 | The Big Schmooze | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2001–04 | Rove Live | Guest | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Stand Up! | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2004 | Australian Idol | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2005 | Good Morning Australia | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2006 | Bert's Family Feud | Team Captain | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2007 | The Sideshow | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2005–22 | Spicks and Specks | Regular panellist | TV series, 47 episodes |
| 2009–10 | Good News Week | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2009–10 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation | Self | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2009–11 | The Project | Guest | TV series, 46 episodes |
| 2010 | The Breast Darn Show in Town | Self | TV special |
| 2011 | Warehouse Comedy Festival | Self | TV series |
| 2011–12 | Can of Worms | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2012 | The Circle | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2012 | Total Agony | Self | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2012 | Pictures of You | Self | TV series |
| 2013 | Adam Hills Tonight | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2013 | This Week Live | Self | TV series |
| 2013 | Tractor Monkeys | Self | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Judith Lucy Is All Woman | Self | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2015–17 | Stop Laughing...This Is Serious | Self | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | The Big Music Quiz | Contestant | TV series, 2 episodes |
| | The Glass House | Guest | TV series |
| 2017 | All Star Family Feud | Contestant | TV series |
| 2017 | The Justine Clark Show | Self | TV series |
| 2017–18 | The Weekly with Charlie Pickering | Self | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2017–19 | Travel Guides | Narrator | TV series, 16 episodes |
| 2018 | Midsumma VAC Hypothetical 2018 | Panellist | TV special |
| 2018 | Studio 10 | Co-host | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2018 | Tomorrow Tonight | Panellist | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018–22 | Have You Been Paying Attention? | Panellist | TV series, 19 episodes |
| 2018–21 | Hughesy, We Have a Problem | Guest | TV series, 8 episodes |
| 2019 | Dancing with the Stars | Contestant | TV series, season 16, 5 episodes – second to be eliminated |
| 2019 | Behave Yourself | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2020 | Lady O'Loughlin | Self | TV series |
| 2020 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2020 | Play School | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | Would I Lie to You? | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | The Cheap Seats | Self | TV series |
| 2022 | The Dog House Australia | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | The Hundred with Andy Lee | Panellist | TV series, 1 episode |

## Radio

| Year | Title | Role | Station |
| 2004 | The Judith Lucy Show | Weekly segment | 2Day FM |
| 2005 | 774 ABC Evenings with Derek Guille | Host - 3 weeks | ABC Radio |
| 2005 | The Arvo with Judith Lucy and Peter Helliar | Weekly segment | 2Day FM |
| 2006–07 | Dave and Denise with Shaun Micallef (formerly Shaun, Beverley and Denise) | Co-host | Vega 91.5 FM |
| 2013-15 | Breakfast with Meshel and Tommy | Regular guest appearances | Nova 100 |
| 2019 | Hughesy & Kate | Fill in co-host | Hit Network |
| 2019 | Kennedy Molloy – National Drive | Regular guest appearances | Triple M |

## Stage

| Year | Title | Role | Venue / Company |
| 1990 | The Second Royal Commission – Ensemble Show | Comedian | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 1990 | A Natural Normans Christmas | Comedy act with Lynda Gibson, Lynne McGranger & Sally-Anne Upton | Last Laugh - Melbourne |
| 1990 | This Is Denise Scott | Solo comedy act | Hilton Hotel, Melbourne |
| 1992 | Extraordinary Encounters of a Mundane Kind | Solo comedy act | Melbourne Fringe Festival |
| 1993 | Women Stand Up! | Comedian | |
| 1993 | Sing & Swing | Comedy act with Bob Downe & Gina Riley | Last Laugh – Melbourne |
| 1993–94 | Canberra Comedy Summit | Comedy act with Lynda Gibson & Sue Ingleton | Canberra Theatre Centre |
| 1996 | Life of the Party | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 1998 | Mum’s the Word | Comedy act with Jane Clifton, Sally Cooper, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Tracy Harvey & Meg Nantsou | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide |
| 1999-2000; 2003 | Comedy is Not Pretty | Comedy act with Judith Lucy & Lynda Gibson | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Sydney Opera House |
| 2000 | Suburban Riot | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe |
| 2003 | Comedy is Still Not Pretty | Comedy act with Judith Lucy & Lynda Gibson | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 2004 | Scotty & Son | Comedy duo with Jordie Lane | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Albury-Wodonga Comedy Festival |
| 2005 | Denise Scott Gives Good Council | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 2007 | Up Front | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 2007 | OVCA Lynda Gibson Memorial Comedy Event | Solo comedy act | Melbourne Athenaeum |
| | Regrets | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
| 2008–09 | Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow | Solo comedy act | Australian national tour |
| 2009 | Byron Writers Festival | Comedy act | Byron Bay, New South Wales |
| 2009-10 | Number 26 | Solo comedy act | Melbourne International Comedy Festival (premiere & return seasons), Campbelltown Arts Centre, Devonport Entertainment Centre, Kingston Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Sydney Opera House |
| 2011-2012 | Solo Show | | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival |
| 2012 | Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow | Solo comedy act | Singapore, Hong Kong |
| 2013 | The Spiral | Comedy duo with Judith Lucy | Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Princess Theatre, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Canberra Theatre, The Concourse, Chatswood, Enmore Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, Hobart, Darwin Festival |
| 2013 | Bendigo Writer’s Festival | Solo comedy act | Bendigo, Victoria |
| 2013 | Laugh Your Tits Off - Love Your Sister Fundraiser | Solo comedy act | |
| 2013 | Woodford Folk Festival | Solo comedy act | Woodford, Queensland |
| 2014–15 | Mother Bare | Solo comedy act | Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Powerhouse |
| 2016 | Not Just For Laughs | Comedy act with Tommy Little | Regional Queensland tour |
| 2016 | Lorne Performing Arts Festival | Solo comedy act | Lorne, Victoria |
| 2016 | Queenscliff Music Festival | Solo comedy act | Queenscliff, Victoria |
| 2016–18 | Disappointments | Comedy duo with Judith Lucy | Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Australian national tour, London Soho Theatre |
| 2019 | Byron Bay Comedy Festival | Solo comedy act | Byron Bay, New South Wales |
| 2022 | Still Here | Comedy duo with Judith Lucy | Australian national tour |

## Writer

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 2009 | All That Happened At Number 26 | Author | Autobiographical novel |
| 2012 | The Tour | Author | Autobiographical novel |
| | The Australian Women’s Weekly | Columnist | Monthly column |

## Awards & honours

| Year | Nominated work | Award | Category | Result |
| 1999 | Comedy Is Not Pretty | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Stella Award for Best Show | Nominated |
| 1999 | Extraordinary Encounters of a Mundane Kind | Radio National Award | Best Solo Performer in the Melbourne Fringe Festival | Won |
| 2000 | Suburban Riot | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show | Nominated |
| 2003 | Comedy is Still Not Pretty | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Age Critics Award | Won |
| 2004 | Comedy is Still Not Pretty | Green Room Award | Most Innovative Use of Form and Most Outstanding Cabaret Show | Won |
| 2004 | Scotty and Son | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show | Nominated |
| 2005 | Denise Scott Gives Good Council | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show | Nominated |
| 2009 | Number 26 | Groggy Squirrel | Critics’ Award | Won |
| 2011 | Regrets | Helpmann Award | Best Comedy Performer | Won |
| 2011 | Regrets | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Director’s Choice Award | Won |
| 2014 | Winners & Losers | Equity Ensemble Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | Mother Bare | Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award | Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show | Won |
| 2017 | Disappointments with Denise Scott and Judith Lucy | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | People's Choice Award | Won |
| 2023 | King’s Birthday Honours List | Order of Australia | Significant service to the arts as a comedian and actress | Honoured |

## Personal life

Scott grew up in Greensborough, Victoria. She lives with her partner John, whom she met whilst in a clowning ensemble in Albury-Wodonga. She has two children, musician Jordie Lane and multidisciplinary artist Bonnie Lane.
Scott was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer (HER2-positive) just before embarking on the Mother and Son reboot, and underwent chemotherapy while shooting.