Dawn French

Dawn French is a British actress and comedian who played the Fat Lady in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. She took over the role from Elizabeth Spriggs who played the character in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

In 2003, before French got the role, she and her comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders, spoofed Harry Potter in a parody called Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan for a British charity telethon Comic Relief.

French is best known as part of the French & Saunders comedy duo, featured in a long-running TV series. Among her other works is an appearance in the Kate Bush music video, "Experiment IV," alongside Hugh Laurie. The situation-comedy programme The Vicar of Dibley, in which hers was the title character of Vicar Geraldine Granger, was created specifically for her.

Behind the scenes

 * French's ex-husband Lenny Henry provided the character voice of the Dre Head in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
 * Harry Potter is also referenced in French's and Saunders' parody of Lord of the Rings.