Lenny Bruce
British actress and impressionist known for voice work on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers.
Janet Ravens (born 14 May 1958) is a British actress and impressionist, known for her voice work on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers. She grew up in Hoylake, then in Cheshire, on the west side of the Wirral with her father, a local government clerk, and her mother, a nurse. She attended West Kirby Grammar School for Girls, where BBC Radio 4 presenter Sheila McClennon (You and Yours) was two years below her. She read education studies and drama at Homerton College, Cambridge, and was the first female president of Cambridge University Footlights Club in 1979–80.
- born
- 14 May 1958
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- Voice work on Spitting Image and Dead Ringers
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
After Cambridge, Ravens became a radio comedy producer. Her first television role was in the ITV series, Just Amazing. She joined Jasper Carrott's comedy, Carrott's Lib, in 1983. In 1986, she played the heavily pregnant Vanessa Plowright in the 'Tourists' episode of Farrington of the F.O. (broadcast 13 March). In 1986, she accompanied then-husband Steve Brown on the Capital Radio satirical show Brunch, along with DJs Paul Burnett, Roger Scott and comedians Angus Deayton and Jeremy Pascall. In 1994, she spent a year with the RSC. She has done much voice-over work, being the Cadbury's Caramel bunny for several years, and was the seductive voice of a can of apple Tango. She has also appeared on Just a Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on Radio 4, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Have I Got News for You, No Frills, Alexei Sayle's Stuff and in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4's Countdown (one of the shows parodied on Dead Ringers). She was producer of the Radio 4 comedy Elephants to Catch Eels.
Reader's Guide
Ravens has regularly imitated Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, Charlotte Green formerly of BBC Radio 4 (with double entendres), Ellen MacArthur (who regularly bursts into tears), Nigella Lawson (with double entendres), Ann Widdecombe (narrating fanciful racy storylines in her novels), Patricia Routledge's Hyacinth Bucket, Queen Elizabeth II, a chirpy Sandi Toksvig, a stern-faced Gillian McKeith, Sophie Raworth (with a bemused school-girl grin) and Fiona Bruce (with barely concealed filthy invitations) of BBC News, Anne Robinson of The Weakest Link, Lesley Garrett (often referring to her generous cleavage), Hillary Clinton, Theresa May, Liz Truss and the Geordie-accented Ruth Archer from the BBC Radio 4 series The Archers. She also appeared as the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in an episode of Are You Being Served? although only her voice is heard. Ravens appeared in a series-three episode ('Monday Morning will be Fine') of David Renwick's series One Foot in the Grave as Pat Aylesbury. From 1996 till 2001, she played Janet Grimley, the mother in The Grimleys. In autumn 2006, Ravens appeared on the BBC entertainment programme Strictly Come Dancing partnered with Anton Du Beke. She was eliminated in the fifth week. In spring 2007, she appeared on the BBC's The Truth About Food. Also in 2007, she appeared in Ronni Ancona's comedy sketch show, Ronni Ancona & Co. She won the edition of Celebrity Mastermind on 1 January 2008, the second woman to win, Edwina Currie having been the first. Ravens appeared as Effy's art teacher in E4 drama Skins. In February 2010 and November 2017, she was a panellist on QI, and in 2012 appeared as Susan in the sitcom Hebburn. In late 2016, Ravens featured in the BBC Radio 4 miniseries Desolation Jests alongside David Jason, Rory Bremner and John Bird. The four-part show was written by David Renwick.
Did You Know?
- Janet Ravens was the first female president of Cambridge University Footlights Club in 1979–80.
- She was the Cadbury's Caramel bunny for several years and the seductive voice of a can of apple Tango.
- She won Celebrity Mastermind on 1 January 2008, the second woman to win after Edwina Currie.
- Ravens appeared as Effy's art teacher in the E4 drama Skins.
- She was a panellist on QI in February 2010 and November 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lenny Bruce?
Lenny Bruce was the stage name of Leonard Alfred Schneider, an American stand-up comedian, social critic, and satirist who lived from 1925 to 1966. He became widely recognized for pushing the boundaries of what a comedian could say on stage.
What made Lenny Bruce's comedy style stand out?
His sets blended sharp political satire, religious critique, sexual frankness, and vulgarity into a free-wheeling, confrontational performance that broke away from the clean, family-friendly norm of the era. This unapologetically critical approach set him apart from virtually every other comic of his generation.
What happened in Lenny Bruce's obscenity trial?
In 1964 he was convicted on obscenity charges stemming from his stage material, a ruling that drew enormous public backlash. The conviction was reversed with a posthumous pardon issued in 2003, effectively clearing his name decades after his death.
Why is Lenny Bruce considered a free-speech landmark in the U.S.?
His prosecution turned a comedian's right to perform provocative material into a national constitutional question, and the eventual reversal of his conviction is now cited as a pivotal moment in the expansion of First Amendment protections for performers.
How is Lenny Bruce ranked among legendary comedians?
In 2017 Rolling Stone placed him third on its list of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, underscoring how his influence on counterculture and modern comedy continues to be measured against the very top of the field.
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