An English actress, Karen Jane Wallace is excellently known as Jessie Wallace. She is famous for starring in the role of Kat Slater on the BBC soap opera "EastEnders", (2000-2005, 2010-2016, 2018-present) for which she won National Television Awards for Most Popular Newcomer (2001), as well as the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer (2001) and Most Popular Actress (2003) and the British Soap Award for Best Actress (2011).
Source: @heart.co.uk
Jessie made her West End theatre debut, replacing Denise van Outen in the role of "Maureen" in "Rent remixed" at the Duke of York's Theatre from 27th December 2007 until 2nd February 2008. She had her first television role in 1999 in the British series "The Bill". As well, she toured the UK in the 25th Anniversary production of "Stepping Out" by Richard Harris, playing the role of Sylvia. She previously worked as a barmaid at her local pub, The Royal Oak in Loughton, Essex. Additionally, she also trained as a make-up artist at the College of North East London in Tottenham and worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company for two years. She adopted her stage name after her late grandmother. Recently, Jessie Wallace commented on a throwback snap posted by Max, who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap. She left soap fans shocked this week as she posted a racy comment on her Albert Square co-star Max Bowden's Instagram picture. In the image posted on Max's account, the 26-year-old can be seen looking dapper in a suit, finished with a waistcoat and tie at the National Television Awards two years ago. Alongside the snap, he wrote: "Been a lifetime since this photo #ntas." And 49-year-old Jessie made a crude remark under the pic. She wrote jokingly: "Remember… if you need a m***e to cry on…. I’m yer gal [winking emoji]." One fan commented: "I am speechless and laughing at the same time xxxx I love the love and banter between eastenders cast it makes me smile."
Early Life
On 25th September 1971, Jessie Wallace was born in Villa Ede, in Enfield, North London, England, with the birth name/real name of Karen Jane Wallace. She holds British nationality and belongs to a mixed ethnic background as she is of Irish ancestry, by way of Cork and Dublin. Her race is white. She celebrated her 49th birthday as of 2020 which is her present age. Her Zodiac sign is Libra and her religion is Christian.
Source: @instagram.com/jessie.wallace_official
Jessie took birth to her father, James Wallace, and her mother, Annette Mason. Her father is a telecommunications engineer whereas her mother is a secretary. She has three sisters as well. Sadly, her parents divorced when she was aged three and she and her siblings were raised by their father.
Source: @instagram.com/jessie.wallace_official
Career
- Jessie's first television appearance was in an episode of the ITV police drama series "The Bill" whereas she is known for playing the role of Kat Slater in BBC One soap opera "EastEnders" between 2000 and 2005.
- The BBC announced on 4th April 2015 that Wallace and Richie will depart from the show temporarily to appear in a six-part BBC One drama series, "Redwater".
- As well, she was offered the lead role in "Miss Marie Lloyd - Queen of The Music Hall" for BBC Four.
- She performed a duet at Soho Theatre with singer-songwriter Tim Arnold to mark the release of his album "The Soho Hobo" in May 2015 which marks her first recording on a pop album and was written especially for her by Arnold.
- It was announced in July 2015 that Wallace would appear alongside Richie in a stage adaptation of "The Perfect Murder" by Peter James at the Theatre Royal in February 2016.
Source: @extra.ie
Personal Life
Versatile actress, Jessie Wallace is currently believed to be single after the split from her boyfriend Paul Kempin at the end of 2019. Jessie and Paul recently ended things and have cut contact with each other. Concerning her sexual orientation, she is straight.
In addition, Jessie was suspended from "EastEnders" again by the BBC in early 2020, with a two-month suspension incurred due to an "incident while filming". Previously, she entered the soap cast in the later stages of a three-year relationship with Majorca-based ex-criminal, Paul Whitworth. Later, she split with Whitworth and had a holiday romance with 25-year-old American, Andy Burton, who immediately sold his story. Then, she began dating Dave Morgan and then moved in together after Wallace confirmed she was pregnant. She was blessed with a daughter Tallulah Lilac on 2nd November 2004, but the couple split up shortly afterward, with Wallace's lawyers placing a gag order on Morgan.
Net Worth
Jessie Wallace has an estimated net worth of between $1 million to $5 million as of 2021. Her salary amount has not been clearly disclosed yet however she has also not done any endorsement work yet. Her main source of income is from her acting career.
Filmography / TV Shows
- 1999 - "The Bill"
- 2000 to 2005 - "EastEnders"
- 2005 - "French & Saunders"
- 2006 - "The Friday Night Project"
- 2007 - "Rent remixed"
- 2008 - "Wild at Heart"
- 2008 - "Strictly Come Dancing"
- 2010 - "The Road to Coronation Street"
- 2015 - "Cinderella"
- 2015 - "Redwater"
- 2016 - "The Perfect Murder"
Source: @instagram.com/jessie.wallace_official
Awards and Achievements
- British Soap Awards for Best Newcomer in "EastEnders"
- National Television Awards for Most Popular Newcomer
- Inside Soap Awards for Best Newcomer
- TV Quick and TV Choice Awards for Best Newcomer
- British Soap Awards for Best Single Episode
- Inside Soap Awards for her work in "EastEnders"
