Who is Martin Kemp

Martin Kemp lives in Hertfordshire with his beautiful wife since 1988, Shirlie (from Wham! and Pepsi & Shirlie fame). He was born in Islinton however, a real London lad. On 10th October 1961 Martin John Kemp gave his first performance as the newborn son of Frank and Eileen Kemp and baby brother to Gary Kemp.

Martin recalls having a great childhood. He reminisces that his family never had much (in the way of money), but his parents were always supportive of both him and his brother. It's hard to believe, but Martin Kemp also claims that he was really shy as a youngster. His parents, being the good parents that they were, came up with a solution.

Anna Scher's Children's Theatre

Anna Scher ran a children's drama school in Islington. The lessons cost 10p and although the money must've been hard to come by Martin's parents thought it was worth it.................................and it was.

Anna Scher's school was often visited by local producers and Martin Kemp had several roles on television. His first taste of the entertainment world came in 1972 at the age of 11 with a role in The Edwardians.

Martin Kemp's Child Acting Credits

The Edwardians (1972)
Jackanory (1972)
Mind Where You're Going (1972)
Katherine Mansfield (1973)
Scribble (1973)
The Tomorrow People (1973)
Oranges And Lemon (1973)
Dixon Of Dock Green (1973)
Pygmalion (1974)
Rumpole Of The Bailey (1975)
Jackanory (1975)
Glittering Prizes (1976)

Martin Kemp loved playing soccer and dreamed of playing for Arsenal, but it wasn't to be. Martin did play for his school team and also played for the junior Arsenal team he had knee problems which prevented him from taking his dream further. Fate had other ideas for Martin Kemp........................

Brother Gary Kemp had formed a band with some friends from school. Thinking that a band would be a good way of becoming famous (what teen doesn't dream of stardom?) Martin formed his own band. The punk band The Defects lasted a whooping three months before dissolving.

After leaving school Martin Kemp started an apprenticeship at the printing company his father, Frank, worked at. In the evenings he acted as a roadie for his brother Gary's band The Makers. With his good looks Martin Kemp got quite a following of his own, something that didn't go unnoticed by the band's manager Steve Dagger.

There are two versions about what happened next.................

Version 1

The bass guitarist for Gary's band The makers left and Steve Dagger (their manager) suggested that Martin Kemp join the band. The band was to become Spandau Ballet.

Version 2

Martin wanted to be in his brother's band (typical younger brother wanting to do everything his big brother did). Martin said his mother basically told Gary to "let your brother join in." According to an interview with Martin Kemp once mum had spoken, that was that!

Spandau Ballet was a real adventure for a young Martin Kemp. The band's first recording contract was signed on his 19th birthday. The 80s became a whirlwind of stardom and excess.

After ten glorious years the different band members all had other projects in mind. Spandau Ballet didn't officially break up, but.........Tony Hadley had started writing some of his own songs and wanted to try a solo career. Steve Norman wanted to move to his beloved Ibiza. John Keeble wanted to play harder rock music. Martin and Gary both wanted to move back to acting.

Buy this Spandau Ballet print here.

Martin has said many times over the years that acting has always been his passion. He claims he was never a good bass player as music was always his brother's passion. When he was a child he would dream of being the next Marlon Brando.

On the back of The Krays Martin decided to try his luck in LA.

Personally Martin Kemp was now a husband and father. Shirlie Holliman had been one of the backing singers for Wham! and George Michael set her and Martin up on a blind date. It obviously worked as they were married in a small ceremony in St Lucia during 1988.

Nine months after their wedding the Kemps welcomed their firstborn into the world - daughter Harley. Two years later she was joined by a little brother - Roman.

While in LA Martin Kemp had roles in several movies:-

Martin Kemp's Film Acting Credits

The Girl Who Came Late (1991)
Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992)
Desire (1993)
Aspen Extreme (1993)
Fleshtone (1994)
Boca (1994)
Cyber Bandits (1995)
Embrace of the Vampire (1995)
Monk Dawson (1998)
Sugar Town (1999)

One morning wife Shirlie noticed a lump on his head and told him to get it checked out. Martin was really busy at the time so he lied and told her he had been to the doctors when he hadn't. Luckily Shirlie know her husband well and knew that he was lying so put her foot down.

Martin Kemp was diagnosed with 2 brain tumors.

One of Martin's memories from this period is waiting for the doctor and when the doctor walked in he had a Duran Duran t-shirt on.

Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran had always enjoyed a friendly rivalry in the UK.

Martin had one of the tumors removed and a metal plate put in his head. The second tumor was treated with chemotherapy.

Martin Kemp and his family had now moved back to the UK and his wife's best friend, George Michael was to re-start martin's televison career. George Michael is good friends with former Eastenders star Michelle Collins. Eastenders had approached Martin with a script a few years prior, the the time wasn't right. This time Martin Kemp moved to Albert Square as Eastender's bad guy

Steve Owen

Martin Kemp reportedly received a golden handshake to cross over to ITV and has had a number of credits to his name.

Martin Kemp

Martin Kemp's Television Acting Credits

Daddy's Girl (2002)
Family (2003)
Casino Casino (2003)
Serious and Organised (2003)
The Brides in the Bath (2003)
Can't Buy Me Love (2004)
Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder (2006)
Love Lies Bleeding (2006)
Back in Business (2007)

In more recent interviews he has said that he would love to work with his brother in a movie again, it was assumed that Martin Kemp meant as an actor..............

In 2008 Martin Kemp made his directorial debut in a movie called Karma Magnet which starred his brother Gary Kemp. This short movie was made for internet release only and can be viewed here:-

Karma Magnet

2009 has not started off as a good year for Martin and Gary Kemp as they lost both of their parents within 48 hours of each other in January. Mum Eileen was in Bournemouth hospital having surgery when dad Frank was brought in suffering from a heart attack. Gary and Martin had to tell their mother that their dad had died when she came around after her surgery.............................they believe that she died of a broken heart.

The Kemp's parents have lived in the beautiful Dorset town of Bournemouth for a number of years now since their sons brought them a house there. They were incredibly proud of what their two boys had achieved and the family always remained incredibly close.

This webpage was last updated by lou16 on 2nd June 2011