Lady of laughter

But despite her success, the comedienne remains incredibly humble.

By her own accord, her success stems from “being herself”.

“It sounds simple, but it really is the key to success,” she says.

With over twenty years experience performing to crowds all over the world, Morris is one of Australia’s most successful comedy exports, having shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest comedians including Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Lewis and Robin Williams to name but a few.

“One of my favourite shows was performing with Robin Williams and Richard Prior. Both are gentlemen and both are hilarious – an intoxicating combination,” she says.

“There’s something incredibly exciting about performing in front of your heroes.

“Obviously it can go either way, but it’s only ever been a really positive experience for me.”

Between 2000 and 2007, Morris lived in the UK and hosted shows for the BBC, working with the likes of Dame Edna and Stephen Fry.

In addition, Morris appeared in nearly every major international comedy festival from Montreal to South Africa, won the Herald Angel award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002 and was named Time Out London’s ‘Comedy Performer of the Year’ in 2004.

She also starred in the Edinburgh production of ‘Hunting Diana’ and wrote and performed in three different one woman shows on London’s West End.

But her outstanding on stage success is matched by what she describes as her greatest life achievement – motherhood.

In December 2006, Morris gave birth to her first daughter, Ruby – an experience that changed the way she worked and lived.

“In my experience, the hardest and greatest thing about being a working mother is being away from the children,” Morris jokes.

“In all seriousness though, it is not just hard for women to balance a career and motherhood – it’s impossible.

“As Quentin Bryce says: women can have it all, just not at once.”

“Fortunately, I have the world's most extraordinary husband who does a lot of the stuff like the washing and cooking so that way I can spend more time with him and the little women.

“If I didn't have Dan there would be no chance I would be able to do it. Dan also runs our production company and he does that out of our home. So there is always someone at home for the little women and they are just so lucky. As I always say "they're going to lose interest in us soon, let's clock up some hours now".”

But while motherhood has its trials and tribulations, Morris says she wouldn’t change a thing about being a working mum.

Nor would she change a thing about her career to date.

Early years

Morris’ initial foray into stand-up comedy is just as humorous as her stand up shows.

After being asked to host a stand-up comedy night at Forrester’s Beach on NSW’s Central Coast, Morris decided she wanted to take the plunge and pursue comedy full time.

“The comedy night at Forrester’s Beach was such a hit, that I got up the nerve to go to the open mike night at the comedy store in Sydney....The rest, as they say, is history,” she says.

From those humble beginnings, Morris has come a long way and relishes performing to packed stadiums both at home in Australia and internationally.

Her 2008 and 2009 stand-up tours were both nominated for the Helpmann Award and she won Best Australian Act at the Time Out Sydney 2009 Comedy Awards.

Morris also appeared at the Just for Laughs Festival in 2009, and she was singled out to perform at Whoopi Goldberg’s Gala dinner.

But while Morris’ achievements on the stage have been many and varied, most people would know her from her television appearances including Channel Nine’s Celebrity Apprentice 2011 and Channel Seven’s It Takes Two 2008.

Morris won both shows – no small feat considering one takes business savvy and the other magical vocal chords.

When asked about her time on both shows, Morris laughs and says “Dementis Pro Is”, which translates from Latin means ‘I’m mad for it’.

“Celebrity Apprentice was a full ship of fools. I loved every moment of it and it was the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with Warwick Capper – I love his dimensions,” Morris chuckles.

Celebrity Apprentice – one of the more successful reality television programs of 2011 – stirred controversy on many occasions.

Fellow contestant Deni Hines was labelled “Satan” by many television watchers, while Max Markson made fellow contestant Didier Cohen cry on national television.

Not deterred by the controversy, Morris admits she would relive the whole experience again in a heartbeat.

“Raising over $160,000 for the national Breast Cancer Foundation was amazing. It goes a long way towards the NBCF’s no deaths by 2030 goal.”

The future is television

With so many successes and career achievements, does the comedienne have any regrets?

“Not one,” she replies.

“Though I guess one regret would be never making myself available to George Clooney. Should have, would have, could have.”

Jokes aside, it is fair to say that the future looks bright for Australia’s Celebrity Apprentice.

In the last few months the rumour mill has been in overdrive the Morris will take up a role on the critically acclaimed television program ‘The Circle’ after one of its hosts, Chrissy Swan, announced she would be leaving the show in 2012.

But Morris doesn’t mind being a busy woman.

“I’m just happy to be working,” Morris says.

“When comedians are not on the telly, we’re back on the road.

“That’s what happens.

“The real secret is having income streams on many levels and to try and do bits of radio, and write some stuff and be on television.”

Now in her early 40s, Morris demonstrates no desire to slow down. Well, maybe at some point.

“God almighty, I’m 43! I’ll need a lie down at some stage.”