- The phenomenally successful animated series The Simpsons (1989) is actually a spin-off of The Tracey Ullman Show (1987). The animated show began as 30-second segments aired between comedy sketches. In 1992, she filed a lawsuit asking for a share of the merchandise-related profit from "The Simpsons". The lawsuit was unsuccessful.
- Dropped out of high school.
- Ended her American TV shows by telling the audience to "Go Home."
- On the radio program "Fresh Air with Terry Gross," she said that when she was six years old, her father died of a heart attack while reading a book to her.
- Announced that she was performing at a tribute concert for the late singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl. It was MacColl who wrote Ullman's 1983 hit song, "They Don't Know".
- According to the British press, she and her husband Allan McKeown have a net worth of between $50-100 million.
- Her father, Antoni John Ullman, was Polish and her mother, Doreen (Cleaver), was English. Her father was in the Polish Army during World War II. Evacuated at Dunkirk, he stayed in England after the war.
- After she appeared in his film Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984), Paul McCartney returned the favor by appearing at the very end of her video for the hit song "They Don't Know". He played a character named Paul.
- Hit the Billboard top 100 twice in 1984 with 'They Don't Know' (US #8) and 'Breakaway' (US #70). Both singles also peaked at #2 and #4, respectively, in the UK in 1983. Also had 3 further UK top hits with 'Move Over Darling' (UK #8) in 1983 and 'My Guy' (UK #23) and 'Sunglasses' (UK #18) in 1984. She also claims her original record company, Stiff Records, "stiffed" her by not paying her proper royalties.
- Is the first foreign comedienne to successfully cross over to American television audiences.
- Son, John Albert Victor McKeown (John McKeown) (born August 6, 1991) and daughter, Mabel Ellen McKeown (Mabel McKeown) (born April 1, 1986).
- Became an American citizen in 2006. Ullman told interviewer Terry Gross that the hardest part of becoming a citizen was that after the induction, they were all forced to listen to the Lee Greenwood song "Proud to be an American".
- Beat out Emma Thompson for a role in A Kick Up the Eighties (1981).
- Has homes in England and Los Angeles.
- Attended the renowned Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London from the age of 12.
- She was awarded the 1981 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Most Promising New Actress of 1980 for her performance in Four in a Million.
- Once played Frenchy in a London stage production of "Grease". She also played a character named Frenchy in Small Time Crooks (2000).
- Has been able to perform in black-face on her show, Tracey Takes On... (1996), without any controversy.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content