Jane Elizabeth Leeves is an English actress, model, singer, comedian, and producer. She was born on 18 April 1961 to Colin Leeves and Ruth Leeves.
Jane is famously known for her role as Daphne Moon in the TV sitcom Frasier. In addition, she is also famous because of her recurring appearance in the drama series Throb.
Birth, Early Life, and Education
Jane Leeves was born in Ilex, Sussex; however, later, her family moved to Crawley, West Sussex. From there, the family moved again and settled in East Grinstead, West Sussex. She only has one sister, namely Kathryne (Katy) Leeves.
Leeves went to Bush Davies School of theatre arts and learned ballet dancing in her early life, but she had to give up on ballet dancing due to an ankle injury. After saying goodbye to ballet dancing, Leeves focused on her acting career. Leeves also worked as a model before debuting as an actress.
Career
Leeves entered the world of acting in 1983 by appearing in the British comedy TV series The Benny Hill Show. However, the role was small, but Leeves left a mark with her amazing acting skills. Later, she appeared in a British musical comedy film, The Meaning of Life, as a dancer.
Soon after this, Jane left England, moved to the US, and took up small acting roles. After shifting to the United States, she got the first prominent role in the sitcom Throb. She was then often seen as a regular part of the famous TV sitcom Murphy Brown.
Leeves being a regular part of The Benny Hill Show, used her experience as a dancer and secured a role in The Meaning of Life. She also appeared in a music video of the song California Girls as a tourist. However, it was still quite hard for her to secure a good career in the US. TV series like Throb and Murphy Brown were actually her very first successful roles.
Jane Leeves was also a part of Seinfeld; however, she only appeared in four episodes. During this time, Leeves got cast for the science-fiction comedy Red Dwarf for playing the role of “Holly.”
In 1993, Jane became a part of the famous television series Frasier as the psychic and eccentric “Mancunian Daphne Moon.” During the eighth season of Frasier, Leeves got pregnant; however, her pregnancy was not revealed to the public, and it was incorporated as weight gain. Her appearance in Frasier made her visible to the world more than ever, and she got a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Female Actor in a Comedy Series” in 1998.
The nominations that Leeves earned for “Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress” and the “Primetime Emmy Award” were the top reasons why she became the highest-paid English Actress in Hollywood in a blink of an eye.
Today, Jane appears quite occasionally in theatre and cinema. She has started working as a voice artist and lent her beautiful voice to several animated film characters such as Mrs. Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach (1996) and a guest vocal in The Penguins of Madagascar as a female chimp.
Using her singing voice and acting skills, Leeves secured a role in the film Music of the Heart and a Broadway musical Cabaret.
Jane Leeves appeared as a host for the comedy quiz show Have I Got News for You in 2004. However, her show Misconceptions was canceled and went unaired in 2006.
Leeves also owned the production company “Bristol cities” along with her Frasier co-star Peri Gilpin (Link to Biography of Peri Gilpin). In 2010, Leeves appeared as a guest star in Desperate Housewives as Tom and Lynette’s therapist.
After this, Leeves played 40-something ex ‘eyebrow artist to the stars’ for about five years. In 2011, she got nominated for “Screen Actors Guild Awards” for the category of “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series” along with the whole cast.
Leeves decided to go back to TV and appeared in a regular role in the Fox medical drama The Resident and played the role of Kitt Voss, an orthopedic surgeon.
Jane Leeves – Net Worth
2020 appeared to be the end of the actress’s illustrious career. She was once again in control. According to a study from People with Money published on Wednesday (April 5), Leeves earned an astounding $96 million between March 2022 and March 2023, approximately $60 million more than her nearest rival. She is currently the highest-paid actress in the world.
It is estimated that the American actress, comedian, and dancer net worth is $275 million. She credits wise financial investments, significant real estate holdings, and lucrative endorsement partnerships with CoverGirl cosmetics for her wealth. She also owns several restaurants, including the “Fat Leeves Burger” chain in Washington, the “Ilford Angels” football team, her own vodka brand, Pure Wonderleeves – US, and she is currently targeting the junior market with her best-selling perfume With Love from Jane and her “Jane Leeves Seduction” clothing line.
What is Jane Leeves doing at present times?
In the medical drama The Resident from 2018 until 2022, Jane Leeves is still performing as a recurring character. She portrays Kit Voss in the show. Prior to that, she frequently provided the voice of Mickey Mouse for the Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures series from 2017 to 2019. She still maintains many links to the cast from her time on Frasier. She’ll probably take part in the frequently rumored Frasier revival that Kelsey Grammer has teased.
Jane Leeves-Children
Marshall and Jane Leeves are parents of two kids. On January 9, 2001, Isabella Kathryn Coben, also known as Bizzy Coben, was born. In 2019, she has been in Modern Family and Young Sheldon. When Isabella was delivered, Leeves’ Frasier co-star Peri Gilpin was there in the delivery room.
Finn William Leeves Coben was Marshall and Janes Leeves’ second child. In 2003, on December 19, Finn was born. He hasn’t yet appeared in any television shows. David Hyde Pierce and John Mahoney serve as his godparents.
Jane Leeves’ Personal Life
On 21 December 1996, Jane and Marshall Coben (a CBS Paramount TV Executive) tied the knot and have been married since then. The couple has two children, and Leeves is also a godmother to Peri Gilpin’s twin daughters. The two friends Leeves and Gilpin, even live as neighbors in Los Angles. Jane Leeves is also a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community; her support is visible from her recent ad for the NOH8 Campaign.
Conclusion
From dreaming of being a ballet dancer to becoming a famous actress, Jane Leeves indeed has a very long story to tell. With her dancing, singing, and acting skills, she became a renowned name in Hollywood. Jane is still active in her acting career, and we will keep watching her for some more years.