The Briefing cover image

The Briefing

The Kath and Kim icon on ageing disgracefully and becoming a truckie

Apr 18, 2025
Peter Rowsthorn, the beloved Brett from Kath and Kim, shares his comedic journey and return to the Melbourne Comedy Festival after decades. He humorously discusses aging disgracefully and reflects on almost becoming a truckie during the pandemic. With insights on navigating fame and performing in musicals, Peter opens up about personal growth and the emotional rewards of comedy. He also explores the charm of little free libraries, emphasizing community connections through shared books.
35:33

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Peter Rowsthorn reveals how his challenging upbringing and diverse social experiences shaped his comedic skills and career path.
  • Reflecting on grief and loss, he illustrates how personal experiences enrich his comedy and connect with audiences during performances.

Deep dives

Peter Rosethorn's Journey as a Comedian

Peter Rosethorn reflects on his early life, highlighting how he developed his comedic skills in a family ruled by intimidation, as his father often created tension. To cope, he found humor to defuse situations, learning the critical skill of comedic timing from a young age. Despite being a poor student at a prestigious Melbourne school known for accepting expelled students from other institutions, Peter mingled with various social groups, from jocks to artsy types. Eventually, this diverse background led him down the path of drama teaching and ultimately landing him the iconic role of Brett in "Kath and Kim," a turning point that would define his career.

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