Sharon Strzelecki

Sharon Strzelecki
Vital statistics
Names	Sharon Karen Strzelecki, Shazza (By Brett)
Gender	Female
Race	Human
Occupation	Netball Captain
Origin	Big Girl's Blouse: Kim's Wedding Sketch (1994)
Alignment	Good
Age	42 as of Our Effluent Life
Created By	Magda Szubanski
Height	1.57 m (5ft 2in)
Weight	85kg (187 lbs)

Sharon Karen Strzelecki is a clumsy, accident-prone character from the Australian comedy series Kath & Kim, portrayed by actress Magda Szubanski. She first appeared in Big Girl’s Blouse in 1994 alongside main characters Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner) and Kim Craig (Gina Riley). Sharon is known for her passion for sports and her ongoing misfortune in love.

Appearance

Sharon is a short, full-figured character with red hair typically styled in a short bob. Her usual outfit includes a dull-blue netball cardigan over a light-colored T-shirt, though she occasionally dresses up for special events like Christmas or her wedding. Unlike her friend Kim, who oscillates between extreme self-confidence and self-consciousness, Sharon is comfortable with her appearance. At one point, she tries the "Orlando Bloom diet" and experiences a sudden weight loss after a bathroom visit—a comedic nod to actress Magda Szubanski’s real-life weight loss with Jenny Craig during the show’s hiatus. Despite this, Kim still calls her "fat"

Personality

Sharon is a sport-obsessed character who, despite being short and overweight, is surprisingly skilled in netball and cricket. She wears her orange-brown hair in a bob and often appears in her netball cardigan with a white or pastel T-shirt, though she dresses up for special occasions like Christmas or her wedding. Sharon’s personality varies: she sometimes appears downcast and withdrawn, with her head often lowered, but becomes cheerful and confident when playing sports, especially netball. Though unlucky in love and often the subject of others' teasing, Sharon remains remarkably unselfconscious about her appearance. She is kind-hearted and supportive, frequently putting others’ needs above her own.

In Kath & Kimderella, Sharon tries the "Orlando Bloom diet" and experiences a sudden comedic weight loss after a bathroom break, a reference to actress Magda Szubanski’s real-life weight loss with Jenny Craig. However, Kim still jokes that Sharon is "fat" and reminds her she can’t sing the Australian national anthem. Sharon’s love for KFC is highlighted in Da Kath & Kim Code.

Sports dominate Sharon’s life, and her wardrobe is filled with sports uniforms for both summer and winter seasons. She’s an active member and team captain of the Sapphires netball team and has also captained the Unicorns in one episode. Sharon participates in indoor cricket and is known to have golfed and competed in shot put at the national level, something she proudly says would make her estranged mother "pleased." She frequently watches football, cricket, and rugby, and is known to snack excessively, often raiding the Day household’s food supply—much to Kim’s annoyance. Sharon also takes an active interest in Kim’s (and occasionally Kath’s) lives, often joining Kim in her odd and frivolous schemes. She has even played indoor cricket in four different Australian states.

Throughout the series, Sharon is known for a number of recurring behaviors and catchphrases, many of which involve her tendency to raid Kath’s fridge. She often enters Kath’s house through the sliding door, heads straight for the fridge, and helps herself to whatever she finds—usually frankfurts. Sharon also frequently finishes the last of Kim’s favorite snacks, like Dippity Bix or fat-free Fruche. This leads Kim to yell, “Sharon! That was my last ___!” to which Sharon innocently replies, “Well, I didn’t know, Kim!” Kim then concludes the exchange with, “Well, you never bloody know, Sharon!”

Sharon is also frequently seen sporting various injuries. She often appears in casts, splints, neck braces, or eye patches, and occasionally has visible skin conditions, such as “pash rash” (Kim’s term), boils, or carbuncles. Most of these injuries are presumably sports-related, though a particularly grotesque facial affliction is attributed to a monkey bite she received while visiting Bali. Sharon is notably accident-prone, having broken her fibula five times.

As an avid cricket fan, Sharon idolizes Shane Warne and is frequently seen reading his books or practicing his signature move, “the flipper.” Her admiration for Warne culminates in season four when she marries a Shane Warne look-alike. On her wedding day, she displays two photos of Warne—one from his younger days and another from later in his career, which closely resembles her groom. Whenever Sharon kisses someone, she’s left with red marks around her mouth and a beaming smile on her face.

Biography

Background

Sharon’s family background is shrouded in mystery and filled with inconsistencies throughout Kath & Kim. Details about her father are sparse and contradictory; in one episode, Sharon mentions that he “moved with his new family to Tewantin.” In another episode, after Kim and Brett have to move back in with Kath and Kel, Sharon arrives to announce she’s lost her job and apartment, explaining that her father, who owned the place, returned to renovate and raise the rent.

The storyline around Sharon’s mother is even more confusing. In the Series 1 episode “Hen’s Night,” Sharon tells Kim that her mother couldn’t attend Kim’s hen’s night because she was critically ill with a “dicky pancreas.” Kim dismissively notes that Sharon’s mother didn’t even call to congratulate her, prompting Sharon to explain that her mother was in a coma and couldn’t access a phone. Here, Sharon’s mother seems very much part of her life. Yet, by Series 4, this backstory is completely changed. Sharon claims her mother abandoned her as a baby, moving to Britain, remarrying, and having a new family, including a younger half-sister named Karen (played by Matt Lucas), whom Sharon had never met before.

Love Life

Sharon’s love life is notoriously disastrous, earning her the label of “unlucky in love” from both viewers and other characters, especially Kath, who sympathizes deeply with her. She frequently comes close to romance, but her relationships inevitably fall apart. In Da Kath & Kim Code, Sharon nearly announces an engagement, only to later reveal that her “fiancé,” Marriat, was merely a spam message from a dating website.

Sharon has also had complicated romantic entanglements with Kim’s husband, Brett, both before and after his marriage to Kim. Additionally, she shares an on-again, off-again relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Mark, who shows intermittent interest in her but almost leaves her for a “leggy River Dancer.” Sharon also briefly took interest in Kel’s friend Sandy Freckle, notorious for stealing Kel’s girlfriends; however, Sandy focused solely on Kath. Another fleeting romance was with her hospital co-worker, Alan (played by Alan Brough), but this relationship never became serious.

In moments of loneliness, Sharon turns to chocolate as a substitute for love, a habit shown in the episode “Lust.” Her infatuation with cricket legend Shane Warne led to a fantasy “pash” and “marriage” with him, and she also shared an on-screen “pash” with the late actor Heath Ledger on the red carpet at the 2006 AFI Awards, where she appeared as Sharon, playing the role of an assistant stage manager.

Kath and Kim

Season 1

1. Episode 1, "Sex" – Kim suspects her husband Brett is having an affair, so she asks Sharon, her second-best friend, to stalk him.
2. Episode 2, "Gay" – Kim takes up golf with Sharon and swears off men, prompting Kath to suspect Kim might be a lesbian. Sharon goes speed dating with Kim, where Sharon meets a fiddler named Mark, though Kim fails to attract any men and ultimately calls Brett for a rescue.
3. Episode 3, "Sport" – Sharon invites Kim to join her netball team, where Kim seeks revenge on the Bolton twins for seducing Brett.
4. Episode 4, "Fat" – Sharon tries her hand at marriage counseling as Kim attempts a diet to fit into her bridesmaid dress.
5. Episode 6, "Money" – Sharon models lingerie at Kath’s party to raise money for her wedding carriage, while Kim becomes preoccupied with internet shopping and dating.
6. Episode 7, "Party" – Kim rejects Sharon’s idea for Kath’s hen's night—a marathon of Rocky and Mighty Ducks movies.
7. Episode 8, "The Wedding" – Sharon assists with the wedding preparations, which go awry, ultimately landing Kath, Kim, and Sharon in the hospital after a series of mishaps on the big day.

Season 2

1. Episode 1, "The Announcement" – Sharon’s first date with Mark goes disastrously when she mistakenly goes nude to a costume party. Despite her attempts, her love life continues to flounder.
2. Episode 2, "Inside Out" – While Kim and Brett argue during home renovations, Sharon occupies herself with playing war games.
3. Episode 3, "The Moon" – Sharon reconnects with her old friend Lisa-Marie, sparking jealousy in Kim. When Sharon considers moving to the Gold Coast with Lisa-Marie, Kim is driven to reconcile with Sharon, leading to a tense but heartfelt reunion.
4. Episode 4, "Obsession" – Sharon’s boyfriend Mark dumps her for Moira, a river dancer. Determined to win him back, Sharon tries river dancing herself, though it’s ultimately unsuccessful.
5. Episode 5, "My Boyfriend" – Sharon convinces her boastful boyfriend Mark to join her netball team, while Kim grapples with insecurities about Brett’s masculinity.
6. Episode 6, "Another Announcement" – Sharon applies to be a volunteer for the Commonwealth Games, while Kim and Brett debate baby names.
7. Episode 7, "The Shower" – At Kim’s baby shower, Sharon is smitten with Kel’s best friend, Sandy Freckle, though Sandy only has eyes for Kath.
8. Episode 8, "The Hideous Truth" – Kim recalls how she met Brett while he was dating Sharon. As Kim goes into labor, old memories surface, and Sharon’s past with Brett becomes part of the humorous backstory shared in the hospital.

Season 3

1. Episode 1, "Cactus Hour" – Sharon is around as Gary, Kim's father, returns, creating family tension and legal issues for Kath and Kel’s marriage status.
2. Episode 2, "The Mango Espadrille" – Sharon joins Kath and Kim at the races, adding her quirky charm to their outing. She also helps support Epponnee’s audition for "Bubs Idol."
3. Episode 3, "Sitting on a Pile" – Sharon goes with Kim on a shopping tour of factory outlets, highlighting her strong friendship with Kim amid their shared shopping enthusiasm.
4. Episode 4, "Kicking Up a Stink" – Sharon tries to run a fitness boot camp, but Kim’s interference derails her plans. Sharon ends up as the stage manager for The Hours – The Musical, directed by the intense Robyn Robinson.
5. Episode 5, "Hello Nails!" – Sharon has a date, so Kim gives her a full makeover, adding humor to Sharon's often-disastrous love life.
6. Episode 6, "High and Dry" – Sharon’s support continues as Kim starts a job, while Kath and Kel try their hand at underwear modeling.
7. Episode 7, "Foxy on the Run" – Sharon is eager to become Epponnee-Rae's godmother, showing her deep connection to Kim and her family.
8. Episode 8, "99% Fat Free" – Sharon’s loyalty to the family shines as she supports Kath and Kel’s health kick. She’s involved in the storyline's future flash-forwards, depicting Epponnee-Rae’s wedding.

Da Kath and Kim Code

In Da Kath & Kim Code, Sharon experiences another disappointing turn in her love life. She meets a man named Marriat online and they quickly get engaged. However, Sharon is devastated to discover that Marriat does not actually exist; he’s just a spam bot on a blog. Meanwhile, Sharon supports her friends as Kath and Kel navigate various dramatic situations, including becoming backup dancers for Michael Bublé at Melbourne’s Carols by Candlelight and dealing with Kath’s “green-eyed monster” jealousy. The special concludes with a humorous twist as Kath embarks on a new role as a tour guide on the Da Vinci Code tour.

Season 4

1. Holiday - Sharon joins Kim, Brett, Kath, and Kel on a "romantic" trip to Queensland, which causes tension as Brett hoped for alone time with Kim. Sharon faces accusations of ball tampering once again.
2. Fame - Sharon helps out as Kim throws an extravagant first birthday party for Epponnee. Meanwhile, Kel’s newfound fame leads to an altercation with Eric Bana.
3. Work - Sharon reluctantly agrees to be Kim’s test subject as Kim pursues a cosmetic surgery career.
4. Environment - Sharon continues to support Kim, who aims to enroll Epponnee in an elite private school.
5. House - Sharon and Kim appear on Deal or No Deal, with Sharon’s quick thinking put to the test.
6. Roots - Sharon discovers her long-lost half-sister, Karen, but is disappointed when Karen bonds more with Kim. The episode explores family roots, including Kath’s interest in her Aboriginal ancestry.
7. Lust - Sharon struggles with a vow of celibacy, turning to chocolate to cope with her sportsman crushes. When Brett, having had a one-night stand, stays at her place, they unexpectedly end up in bed together, shocking Kim.
8. Wedding of the Century - Sharon falls for Shane Warne’s character, Wayne, and they quickly plan a wedding. Brett loses his job but gets hired at Krispy Kreme, while Kath and Kel transform their home into a bed and breakfast. Sharon is crushed post-wedding upon discovering that Wayne has "bought a phone," leading to the dissolution of her marriage.

Kath and Kimderlella

Sharon accompanies Kath and Kim on the trip to the fictional "Kingdom of Papilloma" in Italy, filling in for Kel, who stays back due to his fear of flying. Sharon eagerly immerses herself in the adventure, joining Kath and Kim as they adapt to the unusual accommodations and explore the castle.

At the castle, Sharon meets Alain, a page who works for King Javier, and develops a crush on him. Despite her romantic interest, Alain later reveals he cannot return her feelings because she is gay (a nod to Magda Szubanski's real-life coming out), which leaves Sharon both disheartened and confused.

Sharon and Kim venture into the castle’s hidden chambers, where they stumble upon a secret disco chamber. Here, they discover that Alain has imprisoned townspeople and others who defy King Javier’s strict rule. Sharon assists in freeing them, adding to the growing rebellion against Javier’s oppressive monarchy.

After being let down by Alain, Sharon meets Stephanie at the party celebrating Papilloma's new democratic status. Stephanie shares Sharon’s love for golf and netball, hinting at the start of a meaningful connection for Sharon.

Throughout the adventure, Sharon’s character contributes humor, loyalty, and resilience, particularly as she navigates her unexpected romantic challenges and helps free the townspeople, ultimately finding a new friend in Stephanie.

Trivia

• Sharon has been in 29 netball premierships
• Szubanski has appeared "in character" as Sharon Strzelecki a number of times outside Kath & Kim. In 2005 she appeared in a televised fundraiser for victims of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. In 2019-2020 she appeared in advertisements for Uber Eats alongside Kim Kardashian. In 2020 she released a tribute video for health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 she appeared in advertisements for Google Ads as a business owner for a salon called "Bowled and Beautiful"
• In the American adaptation of Kath & Kim, Sharon's character does not appear because Magda Szubanski, who created and portrayed Sharon in the original, withheld permission for its use, expressing concerns about the character potentially being mishandled. Instead, the American version planned to introduce a similar character named Debbie Cox, who would have worked with animals.