A South African-born comedian who spent her childhood under apartheid now sells out comedy clubs across Australia and New Zealand. Urzila Carlson’s story begins with an accidental open mic night and leads to headlining her own international tour.

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Born: South Africa ·
Nationality: New Zealander ·
Profession: Comedian and actress ·
Current tour show: Fatty On a Yacht

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact relationship status (single vs married) (The Citizen)
  • Specific weight loss details and methods (The Citizen)
  • Exact net worth figure (The Citizen)
  • Book publication status (The Citizen)
3Timeline signal
  • 2026 Australian tour starts April 7 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne (The Note)
  • Final date: August 31 at Darwin Convention Centre (Darwin Convention Centre)
  • Two TV projects in development, including sketch comedy Urzila (ABC News)
4What’s next
  • Fatty on a Yacht tour continues across Australia and New Zealand through 2026 (ABC News)
  • New TV series Urzila expected to air on ABC (ABC News)
  • Possible international dates after Australian leg (ABC News)

Four facts about Urzila Carlson’s background, each sourced to a credible outlet:

Label Value
Born South Africa
Nationality New Zealander
Profession Comedian and actress
Current tour Fatty On a Yacht

The pattern: each of these labels shows a key marker of Carlson’s identity and career stage.

Where was Urzila Carlson born?

Birthplace and early life

  • Urzila Carlson was born in South Africa and grew up there before moving to New Zealand in 2006 (ABC listen).
  • She described her childhood as “difficult” in an interview with RNZ (RNZ).
  • After moving to New Zealand, she initially worked in advertising before being persuaded by coworkers to try stand-up comedy (ABC listen).
The paradox

Carlson’s rise from a difficult childhood in South Africa to a professional comedian within a year of starting shows that raw talent can bypass conventional career paths.

What is Urzila Carlson known for?

Stand-up comedy

  • She is best known for her stand-up performances, which have sold out tours across Australia, New Zealand, North America, and the UK (IMDb).
  • Her comedy often draws on her life experiences, including her South African upbringing and family life.

Television appearances

  • Carlson has appeared on numerous television programs in New Zealand and Australia, including as a guest on talk shows and panel shows.
  • In 2026, she is developing two TV projects for the ABC, including a sketch-comedy series titled Urzila (ABC News).
The upshot

Carlson’s career is expanding beyond live comedy into television, with a dedicated sketch show that could introduce her to a wider audience.

What is Urzila Carlson’s tour schedule?

Current tour: Fatty On a Yacht

  • Her 2026 tour, Fatty on a Yacht, is a major Australian and New Zealand run (The Note).
  • The tour begins at Palais Theatre in Melbourne on April 7 and concludes at Darwin Convention Centre on August 31 (Darwin Convention Centre).
  • Stops include Tamworth, Hobart, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Wollongong, Newcastle, Townsville, Cairns, and Sydney (The Note).

Dublin and Belfast dates

  • She is also scheduled to perform in Dublin and Belfast as part of her international tour (The Note).
What to watch

The tour’s title, Fatty on a Yacht, was inspired by a day on the water and is tied to themes of impostor syndrome, according to a TV interview (Newcastle Herald).

The implication: Carlson is building a tour around her most personal material yet, a risk that already appears to be paying off in sold-out venues.

What awards has Urzila Carlson won?

Award recognition

  • Carlson is a multi-award-winning comedian, recognised for her stand-up work across Australia and New Zealand (RNZ).
  • Specific awards are not detailed in available sources, but her reputation as a top-tier comedian is widely acknowledged.
The catch

While Carlson is described as “multi-award-winning,” the exact list of honours is not publicly compiled, leaving room for more detailed reporting.

What television shows has Urzila Carlson appeared on?

TV appearances in New Zealand and Australia

  • She has appeared on New Zealand television programs, including as a guest on The Project and other panel shows.
  • Her upcoming ABC sketch-comedy series Urzila is a significant step into series television (ABC News).
  • She has also made appearances on Australian TV, including on Today (Today / YouTube).
Why this matters

Carlson’s move into a self-titled sketch show signals a shift from guest appearances to leading a series, which could define the next phase of her career.

Confirmed facts

  • Born in South Africa (ABC listen)
  • Moved to New Zealand in 2006 (ABC listen)
  • Started comedy after an open mic night (ABC listen)
  • Current tour: Fatty on a Yacht (The Note)
  • Multi-award-winning comedian (RNZ)
  • Two TV projects in development for ABC (ABC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact relationship status (sources conflict: one says single, another mentions wife and children) (The Citizen)
  • Specific weight loss methods and timeline
  • Exact net worth figure
  • Whether she has published a book
  • Detailed filmography beyond select appearances

“I moved to New Zealand in 2006 to work in advertising, and then my coworkers convinced me to try open mic night. I never looked back.”

— Urzila Carlson, ABC Conversations (ABC listen)

“The Fatty on a Yacht concept came from a day on the water. It’s about feeling like you don’t belong, but going anyway.”

— Urzila Carlson, Newcastle Herald (Newcastle Herald)

For fans of comedy in Australia and New Zealand, the choice is clear: catch Urzila Carlson on her Fatty on a Yacht tour before it wraps up in August 2026, or risk missing one of the region’s most authentic live performers at the peak of her powers.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, outinjersey.net, nzonscreen.com

For those interested in her family background and upcoming performances, her full biography and tour details offers a thorough overview.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy tickets for Urzila Carlson’s tour?

Tickets for the Fatty on a Yacht tour are available through Ticketmaster and venue box offices. Check The Note for a full list of dates.

What is the name of Urzila Carlson’s current tour?

Her current tour is called Fatty on a Yacht, running through 2026 in Australia and New Zealand.

What is Urzila Carlson’s nationality?

She is a New Zealand citizen, though she was born in South Africa.

Where was Urzila Carlson born?

She was born in South Africa and later moved to New Zealand in 2006.

Is Urzila Carlson a comedian?

Yes, she is a professional stand-up comedian and actress, known for her live performances and television appearances.

Does Urzila Carlson have children?

Sources indicate she is devoted to her two children, though she keeps them out of the spotlight (The Citizen).

Bottom line: Urzila Carlson turned an accidental open mic night into a multi-award-winning career. For stand-up fans her Fatty on a Yacht tour is a must-see in 2026; for television viewers her upcoming ABC sketch show Urzila marks her next major move.