With her unmistakable wit, warmth and sharp comic timing, Magda Szubanski has long been a beloved fixture on Australian screens. However, it has taken 40 years for her to be inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Awards Hall of Fame.

From sketch comedy to heartfelt dramas, she’s not only made us laugh, she’s helped shape Australia’s cultural identity. As one of Australia’s most versatile performers, Magda’s work spans generations, genres and platforms. Here, we take a fond look back at some of her most iconic and unforgettable roles.

Sharon Strzelecki in Kath & Kim

Magda Szubanski’s most iconic characters throughout her career

Arguably Magda’s most iconic creation, Sharon — the tracksuit-wearing, unlucky-in-love netball fanatic — is etched into Australian pop culture history. With her catchphrases (“It’s noice, it’s different, it’s unusual”) and gloriously daggy energy, Sharon was the perfect third wheel to Kath and Kim’s suburban melodrama. Magda not only portrayed Sharon, she co-created the series, cementing her status as a comedic genius.

In the 2012 feature film spin-off, Kath & Kimderella, Magda took Sharon to Europe — or rather, the fictional kingdom of Papilloma. With the same loyal, awkward charm we’d come to adore, Sharon found herself caught up in royal intrigue, mistaken identity, and netball diplomacy.

Various sketches on Fast Forward and Big Girl’s Blouse

Long before Kath & Kim, Magda was a sketch comedy powerhouse. It’s hard to choose just one where she really shone. Whether playing a TV host, public servant or overbearing mum, Magda transformed every role with razor-sharp satire and boundless physical comedy.

Esme Hoggett in Babe and Babe: Pig in the City

IMDB

Magda made an international splash as the kindly wife of Farmer Hoggett in the Oscar-nominated Babe films. Her gentle, quietly powerful performance offered a different side to her usual comedic flair — a testament to her range. These beloved family films introduced her to a global audience and proved she could hold her own in Hollywood.

Margaret O’Halloran in Dogwoman

Magda starred as Margaret O’Halloran, a no-nonsense vet and animal lover, in the drama Dogwoman. The series focused on her character’s personal and professional life as she navigated the challenges of running a veterinary clinic. This role allowed Magda to showcase her ability to balance drama and humour in a leading role quite different from her usual comedic parts.

Jemima in Neighbours

In a surprising cameo, after the Australian Marriage Postal Survey (a campaign which Magda was a vocal supporter of), she made a memorable guest appearance on the iconic Australian soap Neighbours as Jemima Davies-Smythe. Jemima is an eccentric and wealthy woman with a complicated family connection. Jemima is introduced as the long-lost half-sister of beloved character Karl Kennedy, bringing a mix of drama, humour, and heartfelt moments to Ramsay Street.

Magda reprised the role in 2019 when Jemima returned as a charismatic marriage celebrant. In this capacity, she officiated one of Neighbours’ most significant milestones — the first same-sex wedding on the show. This historic episode celebrated love and inclusivity and highlighted Magda’s real-life advocacy for marriage equality.

Miss Viola in Happy Feet

Magda Szubanski during “”Happy Feet”” Sydney Premiere at Fox Studios in Sydney, NSW, Australia. (Photo by Dani Abramowicz/FilmMagic)

In the Oscar-winning animated film Happy Feet, Magda Szubanski lent her distinctive voice to bring an Antarctic character to life. Happy Feet was a global hit, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and introducing Magda’s talent to a whole new generation of audiences beyond Australia.