MARIA VENUTI AM…. is a vivacious personality - and one of great natural warmth and exuberance.

Combined with a dynamic singing voice – these traits have made her career as a performer, actor and entertainer highly successful. As one of this country’s leading performers, Maria has played in every major cabaret venue around Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, Japan as well as entertaining our ‘boys’ in the Sinai Desert

How does one begin to describe this dynamic, remarkable and passionate singer and dedicated Charity Worker?

This Aussie showbiz icon – was recently decorated as a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her ‘services to the community as a fundraiser for Charitable Organizations, particularly those involved with medical research and as an entertainer”

Maria is still ‘over the moon’ at being the subject of Ch.9’s ‘This is Your Life ‘ paying tribute to her outstanding and interesting career and her years of charitable works. From starting in Television on Brian Henderson’s “Bandstand” – Graham Kennedy’s “IMT” – The Mike Walsh Show – Variety Italian Style etc. Many well known stars paid homage to her incredible personality and talents – Rolf Harris declared Venuti a true character and talent of Australia – Barry Creyton and Noeline Brown – called her a ‘National Treasure’ – Bert Newton filmed a five minute tribute – Mike Walsh and many others.

SBS’s top rating, Logie (Australian Television Awards) nominated comedy series “PIZZA” is into it’s fifth series , and Maria’s popular character is also featured in the box office success of 2003 – the movie “Fat Pizza” – her role of Bobo’s Mama and Pizza shop owner – requires her to be fierce, feisty, volatile, bossy, explosive and physically violent – i.e. a very mean Mama – but of course a very loving Mama to her very successful daughter, who is working in London at Price Waterhouse Coopers – her catch cry being “where did I go right”!!!

Venuti ‘s acting ability has caught the eye of Producers both on Television , stage and feature films – her critically acclaimed one woman Jazz Cabaret ‘Venuti’s Dates’ – her ability to encourage and pass on her knowledge to talented young performers in the Talent Development Project – her busy festive seasons performing her unique “Mama Claus Christmas Cabaret” - Maria thrives on “Variety being the spice of life”

Some of her proudest moments – accepting the “Heart of Variety Award’ – for her outstanding work with Variety – The Children’s Charity – being asked to be an Australia Day Ambassador – and now in her 10th year – being honoured with numerous Entertainment Industry Awards.

After a lifetime in showbusiness – Maria finds herself as busy as ever – her passion and vitality has never waned, singing being her first love … and her dynamic personality says

– LIVE FOR TODAY AND LET LIFE SURPRISE ME TOMORROW