Biography for
Jessie Wallace (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

25 September 1971, Enfield, London, England, UK

Birth Name

Karen Jane Wallace

Height

5' 2" (1.57 m)

Mini Biography

Jessie grew up in Enfield, in north London, and -- after her parents divorced when she was three -- she and her older sister, Joanne, were brought up by their father, James, who now runs a pub in Essex. Just as Kat's grandmother, Mo, presides over the Slater family in "EastEnders" (1985), Jessie's late grandmother -- also called Jessie -- was a huge influence on her life and a maternal figure as she was growing up. Jessie lost her nan seven years ago, and both parents have now remarried. Her mother, Annette, has a third daughter, Danielle. Jessie left school when she was 15 and flitted from one job to another before moving to Portugal for seven months when she was 21 to work in a string of bars. On her return she decided to train as a professional make-up artist. She complete a two-year course at the College of East London and got a job with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But on her first day in the job she realised she'd much rather be on the stage than behind the scenes. After that day Jessie started secretly auditioning for acting courses. She got a recall from RADA, but didn't get in. She was accepted at the Poor School on the two-year course. It was during the evening so people could work during the day but as her job was evening work she had to quit. To get some money during the day she starting doing wig making. Soon after completing her course at the Poor School, Jessie got an audition for a small part in "EastEnders" (1985). Although she didn't get it, producers instantly thought of her for the new Slater family and gave her the part of Kat. She now lives in Epping in a flat (spookily it's Number 23 -- the same number as Kat's house in Albert Square). For now the only male in her life is her shih-tzu, Bailey, with whom she shares her new flat.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Sarah Lean

Trivia

Her first appearance in "EastEnders" (1985) was on 18 September 2000.

She was engaged to Dave Morgan.

Jessie worked as a make-up artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company for two years before becoming an actress.

Has a daughter (with Dave Morgan), Tallulah Lilac born at 3pm on the 2nd November 2004. She weighed 7lbs 13oz.

Her sister is the model turned actress Danielle Mason.

Was in attendance at the wedding of Amanda Holden to Chris Hughes (December 2008).

Was in consideration for the part of Ellie in "Hope Springs" (2009), but Alex Kingston was cast instead.

Is one of eleven "EastEnders" (1985) actors to compete in "Strictly Come Dancing" (2004). The others, in chronological order, are Christopher Parker (Spencer Moon), Jill Halfpenny (Kate Mitchell), Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson), Louisa Lytton (Ruby Allen), Letitia Dean (Sharon Rickman), Matt Di Angelo (Deano Wicks), Phil Daniels (Kevin Wicks), Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Mitchell), Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs) and Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler).

Personal Quotes

"The fact that you have to look a certain way isn't fair" - on her weight and media comments

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