Urzila Carlson

Acting

Urzila Carlson

Born 1976-02-15 · Johannesburg, South Africa

Urzila Carlson is a South African-born stand up comedian. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her wife and two kids. She regularly appears on television shows, including Australia's Have You Been Paying Attention? and New Zealand's 7 Days, Super City and Road Madness. Since taking the comedy stage in 2008, she has had five sold out seasons at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, television appearances on Spicks and Specks, Dirty Laundry, Have You Been Paying Attention, The Great Debate with Barry Humphries, Comedy Up Late as a guest and a host, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Galas. Urzila has also done sold out festival shows in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide Comedy Festivals, and performed for Just For Laughs at The Sydney Opera House. In New Zealand, she has sold out every solo show she’s had since 2009.

Acting credits

OZI: Voice of the Forest poster
6.1

Separated from her parents when their forest home is destroyed, Ozi is taken in by kind wildlife sanctuary owners who keep her safe and slowly teach her to communicate through sign language. With the combination of her new skills and natural talent for social media, Ozi soon has a worldwide following. When she learns that her parents might be alive, Ozi sets off on a quest to find them and to tell the world what is happening to the rainforest before it’s too late. With help from new friends, cheeky monkey Chance and loveable rhino Honkus, Ozi discovers that one voice really can change the world.

OZI: Voice of the Forest

2024

Kinda Pregnant poster
5.6

When Lainy's plan to settle down and start a family falls apart, she puts on a fake baby bump, tells a lie — and accidentally falls for her dream guy.

Kinda Pregnant

2025

The Breaker Upperers poster
5.2

Two women run a business breaking up couples for cash but when one develops a conscience their friendship unravels.

The Breaker Upperers

2018

Best of Stand-Up 2020 poster
6.0

From Jerry Seinfeld to Leslie Jones, Kevin Hart to Hannah Gadsby, laugh along with the funniest bits from Netflix's 2020 stand-up comedy specials.

Best of Stand-Up 2020

2020

40th Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala poster
5.0

Denise Scott hosts the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala featuring a stellar lineup including Claire Hooper, Josh Thomas, Urzila Carlson, Sammy J, Matt Okine, Sashi Perera, Takashi Wakasugi, Ray O'Leary, Nath Valvo and more.

40th Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala

2026

Urzila Carlson: It's Personal poster
3.8

Welcome to the days of mind your own business and don’t comment on others business. Not their gender, sexuality, body, hair, education or career. Also, welcome to the days of total oversharing on social media, but STILL, mind your own business. We want to talk about things and want everyone to know IT’S PERSONAL! This is a show about keeping your cards close to your chest but walking around naked. Can we have it all? Yes, but also bloody no but also it’s none of your business because IT’S PERSONAL.

Urzila Carlson: It's Personal

2024

Rhys Nicholson's Big Queer Comedy Concert poster
5.0

The brand new stand-up special was recorded at Sydney’s magnificent Enmore Theatre. Hosted by Rhys Nicholson (RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under), the concert features a cast of award-winning LGBTQIA+ comedy superstars, including Urzila Carlson, Geraldine Hickey, Cassie Workman, and Chris Parker.

Rhys Nicholson's Big Queer Comedy Concert

2023

Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser poster
4.8

Stand-up comedian Urzila Carlson keeps the crowd roaring with her thoughts on recasting "The Biggest Loser," sex tape regrets and boxed wine hangovers.

Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser

2020

Upfront: The Queens of Comedy poster
NR

The fiercest and funniest ladies of comedy join forces to slay in a night of outstanding wit, charm and lip. Features Demi Lardner, Becky Lucas, Geraldine Hickey, Urzila Carlson, Nikki Britton, Lady Rizo and more.

Upfront: The Queens of Comedy

2018

Urzila Carlson: Just Jokes poster
NR

Urzila Carlson’s Just Jokes (2026) is a sharp, high‑energy stand‑up special that showcases her trademark blend of blunt honesty, self‑deprecating wit, and effortlessly relatable storytelling. Filmed at the Brisbane Powerhouse and released on YouTube

Urzila Carlson: Just Jokes

2026

Urzila Carlson: Token African poster
7.0

Africans have become the new must have accessory. Okay, not really, but everyone knows one, works with one or has a sister that’s dating one of us. What makes you African? Is it enough that you’re born there? Do you need to be able to dance? Why does being South African not register as African in most places? You’re thinking about it right now aren’t you? Questioning it. Africa changes people. People who visit game reserves wear ranger outfits... why is that? We don’t wear scrubs when going to the doctor... Africa puts things in perspective, this show will help you find that focus, delivered to you by a Token African.

Urzila Carlson: Token African

2022

Urzila Carlson - Just No! poster
7.0

Filmed at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 2024

Urzila Carlson - Just No!

2025

Behind the camera