What Happened to Tracey Ullman?

Tracey Ullman, born Trace Ullman on December 30, 1959, in Slough, England, established herself as a formidable talent in British entertainment before achieving widespread international recognition. Her early career in the UK included stage work, a brief but successful pop music career, and acclaimed performances in sketch comedy shows like 'Three of a Kind,' for which she won her first BAFTA in 1984.

Ullman's career took a significant turn when she moved to the United States in the mid-1980s, influenced by her husband, producer Allan McKeown. Her American breakthrough came with 'The Tracey Ullman Show,' which premiered in 1987. This Fox series not only showcased her extraordinary ability to create diverse characters and accents but also famously featured the first animated shorts of 'The Simpsons,' which later became a global phenomenon. The show earned her a Golden Globe Award in 1988, solidifying her status in American television.

Following the success of her Fox show, Ullman continued to innovate with HBO, producing and starring in the critically acclaimed 'Tracey Takes On…' (1996-1999), which further cemented her reputation for character-driven comedy and earned her multiple Emmy Awards. She later moved to Showtime for 'Tracey Ullman's State of the Union' (2008-2010). Throughout this period, she also appeared in various feature films, including Woody Allen's 'Bullets Over Broadway' (1994) and 'Small Time Crooks' (2000).

A personal turning point occurred in 2013 with the death of her husband, Allan McKeown. This led to her return to British television with 'Tracey Ullman's Show' in 2016, her first project for the BBC in over 30 years, which also aired on HBO in the US. This was followed by the topical series 'Tracey Breaks the News' in 2017. These shows continued her tradition of sharp social commentary and character impersonations, including political figures and celebrities.

In recent years, Ullman has continued to diversify her roles. In 2020, she received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of feminist icon Betty Friedan in the FX miniseries 'Mrs. America.' She also lent her voice to the animated film 'Onward' and appeared in the musical 'The Prom' in the same year. Her career shows no signs of slowing down; in April 2024, she appeared in the final two series of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' as Irma Kostroski. More recently, in September 2025, she starred alongside Cillian Murphy in the drama film 'Steve,' which premiered in London. In the same month, she announced her involvement in the fourth series of Apple TV+'s hit comedy 'Ted Lasso,' which was actively shooting in London. Her most current appearance, as of May 14, 2026, was a guest role as gossip columnist Betty Heymouth in the third season of the CBS series 'Elsbeth.' While 'Tracey Ullman's Show' has not been renewed for a fourth season as of May 10, 2026, there has been no official cancellation, indicating her continued potential for new projects.