By Maeve Bannister

Comedy star Magda Szubanski is set to be inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame for her contribution to Australian television. 

She becomes the fifth woman inducted since the award was established in 1984, joining Ruth Cracknell, Noni Hazlehurst, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Rebecca Gibney.

Szubanski is best known for winning the hearts of Australians as the unconventionally sporty, unlucky-in-love Sharon Strzelecki in sitcom Kath and Kim.

That sparked roles in the smash-hit movies Babe and Happy Feet, along with both sequels, among others.

She first burst on to Australian screens in the mid-1980s after being picked up by ABC talent scouts watching her perform in a university revue.

Her credits include sketch shows Fast Forward and critically acclaimed Big Girl’s Blouse, alongside Kath and Kim co-writers Gina Riley and Jane Turner.

Off-screen, Szubanski has been a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights.

In 2018 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the marriage equality campaign.

In May 2025, Szubanski announced she had stage-four mantle cell lymphoma, describing it as a “rare and fast-moving blood cancer”.

She said she would be lying low to protect her immune system.

“I won’t sugar-coat it, it’s rough,” the 64-year-old wrote of her diagnosis at the time.

“But I’m hopeful. I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me.”

The 65th Logie Awards will take place on Sunday, with women set to dominate television’s most glamorous night.

All but one of the nominations for the coveted Gold Logie award are women and the night is set to be hosted by comedian Sam Pang.