Robin Duke (born March 13, 1954) is a Canadian actress, comedian, and voice actress. Duke may be best known for her work on the television comedy series SCTV and, later, Saturday Night Live. She co-founded Women Fully Clothed, a sketch comedy troupe which toured Canada. She teaches writing as a faculty member at Humber College in Toronto and had a recurring role playing Wendy Kurtz in the sitcom Schitt's Creek.[1]
Robin Duke | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 13, 1954 St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Spouse | Hendrik Riik |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editDuke was born in Etobicoke, Ontario.[citation needed] She went to high school with Catherine O'Hara at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke; they first met in homeroom class.[citation needed]
Career
editIn 1976, Duke joined O'Hara as part of the Toronto version of the stage comedy troupe The Second City, while also making several appearances in the troupe's television series, SCTV. Duke became a regular on SCTV from 1980 to 1981.[2] She joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1981 when O'Hara suddenly dropped out of that show. She now teaches at Humber College's Comedy Writing and Performance program, teaching Improv and Voice and Acting, it's been quoted by her that "class C is my favorite"
Saturday Night Live (SNL) (1981–1984)
editDuke was an actor and writer on SNL from 1981 to 1984.[3] Duke was hired in place of Catherine O'Hara, who was chosen as a cast member in 1981 but had decided to return to SCTV instead. Duke's most popular character was probably Wendy Whiner, a woman who, with her equally whiny husband (Joe Piscopo), annoyed everyone she met.[4] She is also remembered for appearing with Mr. T as the equally bizarre "Mrs. T" in a faux commercial for the real-life product "Mr. and Mrs. T's Bloody Mary Mix".
Film acting credits
editDuke went on to appear in such films as Club Paradise (1986), Groundhog Day (1993), Stuart Saves His Family (1995) and Portrait of a Serial Monogamist (2015), along with many television guest appearances.
Voice-over acting credits
editDuke is also the voice of Penny in the children's animated television series George and Martha. Her other voice roles include:
Women Fully Clothed (2004)
editIn 2004, Duke along with Kathryn Greenwood, Debra McGrath, Jayne Eastwood and Teresa Pavlinek created Women Fully Clothed, a sketch comedy troupe. The group has toured the United States, Canada and appeared in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival.[5][6]
Schitt's Creek (2016, 2019)
editIn 2016, Duke had a recurring role on Schitt's Creek playing dress shop owner Wendy Kurtz in five episodes of season 2. The sitcom reunited Duke with her former SCTV castmate Eugene Levy, and with Catherine O'Hara, whom she had replaced on SCTV. Duke made another appearance as Kurtz in the Season 5 episode “Roadkill”.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Running | Olympic Office Receptionist | |
| 1986 | Club Paradise | Mary Lou | |
| 1987 | Blue Monkey | Sandra Baker | |
| 1991 | Motorama | Miss Lawton | |
| 1992 | Only You | Mrs. Johnson | |
| 1992 | There Goes the Neighborhood | The Colangelos | |
| 1993 | Groundhog Day | Doris the Waitress | |
| 1994 | I Love Trouble | Sandra | |
| 1995 | Stuart Saves His Family | Cousin Denise | |
| 1996 | Multiplicity | Ballet School Receptionist | |
| 2015 | Portrait of a Serial Monogamist | Abby Neufeld |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976–1981 | Second City Television | Various | 27 episodes |
| 1977 | King of Kensington | Doris | Episode: "The Quiz Show" |
| 1981–1984 | Saturday Night Live | Various | 59 episodes |
| 1985 | The Last Polka | Max Lemon | Television film |
| 1988 | The Second City Toronto 15th Anniversary | Florence Allen | |
| 1989 | I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood | Drunk Woman | |
| 1990, 1991 | Maniac Mansion | Carla / Jazz Pope | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Hostage for a Day | Elizabeth Kooey | Television film |
| 1996 | The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon | Tiny Raincloud | Episode: "Dudley and the Tiny Raincloud" |
| 1996–1997 | Boston Common | Dr. Brenda Nidorf | 4 episodes |
| 1996, 1997 | North of 60 | Faith | 2 episodes |
| 1996–1998 | Stickin' Around | Voice | 7 episodes |
| 1997 | F/X: The Series | Woman | Episode: "Shooting Mickey" |
| 1997–1998 | The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police | Voice | 15 episodes |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Sheriff Marie DuPont | Episode: "Glyphic" |
| 1998 | Degas and the Dancer | Zoe | Television film |
| 1998–2000 | Bad Dog | Voice | 15 episodes |
| 1999–2000 | George and Martha | Penny | 26 episodes |
| 1999–2000 | Blaster's Universe | Voice | 13 episodes |
| 2000 | Quints | Fiona | Television film |
| 2000 | The Sandy Bottom Orchestra | Mrs. Johnson | |
| 2000 | Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse | Edna | Episode: "Eddy's Job/
Elephants Almost Never Forget" |
| 2000 | Virtual Mom | Maude Gozmecki | Television film |
| 2001 | Bob and Margaret | Joyce | Episode: "Fish at the Bat" |
| 2002 | Monk | Aunt Minn | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Airplane" |
| 2003 | Moville Mysteries | Mountain Marge | Episode: "Something Fishy in Lake Gimmee-Gimmee-Itchee-Owee" |
| 2004–2005 | Atomic Betty | Miss Dourly | 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Train 48 | Miriam | Episode #1.266 |
| 2005 | 6teen | Mimi | Episode: "Pillow Talk" |
| 2006 | Getting Along Famously | Peggy | 6 episodes |
| 2006 | The Jane Show | Jane's mom | Episode: "Daddy's Home" |
| 2012 | I, Martin Short, Goes Home | Princess Anne | Television film |
| 2012 | Comedy Bar | Chris' Grandmother | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Rocky Road | Fiona Draper | Television film |
| 2015–2017 | Man Seeking Woman | Patti | 19 episodes |
| 2016–2019 | Schitt's Creek | Wendy Kurtz | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | Max & Ruby | Katie | Episode: "Max and Ruby's Bunnyhop Parade" |
| 2019 | Bigfoot | Mrs. Howzenduffer | Episode: "Community Profile" |
| 2023 | Shelved | Unhoused Wendy | Supporting role |
References
edit- ^ "Robin Duke Biography". Humber College. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ Wright, Megh (3 April 2012). "Saturday Night's Children". Vulture.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Shales, Tom (2015). Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests. Back Bay Books. p. 184. ISBN 978-0316295062.
- ^ van Rheenen, Erik (May 18, 2013). "The Post-SNL Careers of 5 Featured Players". Mental Floss.
- ^ Sumi, Glenn (May 6, 2010). "Women Fully Clothed: Older and Hotter". Now.
- ^ Wheeler, Brad (June 15, 2011). "More bladder-busting laughs from Women Fully Clothed quartet". The Globe and Mail.