Fact File

NOTE: If your looking for a detailed biography of the Kemp please jump to Links. And if you haven't done so already you might want to get your mitts on 'True - The Autobiography of Martin Kemp' (Orion Publishers 2000).

GARY JAMES KEMP	MARTIN JOHN KEMP
Born: 16 October 1959	Born: 10 October 1961
Mother: Eileen Kemp	Mother: Eileen Kemp
Father: Frank Kemp	Father: Frank Kemp
Brother: Martin Kemp	Brother: Gary Kemp
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Marital Status:Married to Lauren Barber since August 30, 2003. Previously married to Sadie Frost with whom he has a son - Finlay Munro (b. 1990)	Marital Status: Married Shirlie Holliman in 1988 with whom he has two children, Harley Moon (b. 1989) and Roman (b. 1993)
Trivia
Education Both Kemps attended Rotherfield Junior School, Islington. They later attended the Central Foundation Grammer School as did future Spandau Ballet members Steve Norman, Tony Hadley, and John Keeble. This band was not immediately formed however, both Gary and Martin belonged to seperate bands. Both Kemp's left school at aged 16. Gary was set on musical ambitions whilst Martin got himself an apprenticeship in the print industry. Drama School Gary (aged 10) Martin (aged 8) attended the Anna Scher Children's Theatre located across the street from their house which consequently led to parts in TV shows. The Kemps made their acting debut together in Jackanory (1970) as two Arsenal supporters walking back from a match. Gary's big role as a child actor was in Hide and Seek made by the Children's Film Foundation. Martin starred in several TV productions that included The Tommorow People, Dixon Of Dock Green, Rumpole Of The Bailey, and Glittering Prizes. In 1990 Gary and Martin co-starred in the succesful feature film The Krays playing the real life twins. The success of The Krays movie encouraged Martin to pursue an acting career so he moved to L.A. to see what Hollywood had to offer. Between 1990-1995 Martin made numerous Hollywood films that ranged from the seriously dire ('do it for the money' movies) to funny (Cyber Bandits, Daydream Believer) to the good (Murder Between Friends, Monk Dawson, Sugar Town).*** Following The Krays, Gary took several acting roles including a part in the Hollywood hit The Bodyguard, as well a great British film titled Paper Marriage, as well as a Hungarian film Magic Hunter. All three films differing in style.*** Martin returned to England after being diagonosed with a brain tumour in 1995 and spent the next few years with his family, and concentrated on medical treatment and recovery. In 1998 he got the news everyone was glad to hear and was given the all clear. He returned to acting filming Sugar Town, and a guest apperance in ITV's police drama The Bill. Martin's next big break came when he landed the role of nightclub owner Steve Owen in the BBC soap EastEnders. Martin played the role of Steve Owen between 1998-2002. 2001 saw Gary Kemp make his West End stage debut alongside James Gaddas and Charles Lawson in Yasmina Reza's comedy Art. 2002 saw Martin start a new contract with ITV to appear in several dramas. The first being the one off drama Daddy's Girl and the six part series Serious & Organised. In 2003 Gary returned to TV acting with roles in Murder in Mind, and M.I.T. Musical Aspirations At the age of 11 Gary received a guitar as a present and subsequently taught himself how to play it and started to write melodies/songs. In 1978 after acting as a roadie for his brother's band, Martin was asked to join what was to become Spandau Ballet as their bass player. This he does with the help of lessons from Gary. Between 1980-1990 Spandau Ballet (Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Tony Hadley. Steve Norman and John Keeble) produce six albums, four sell out tours and a UK Top 40 No.1 with 'True'. In 1995 Gary released a solo album titled Little Bruises. 1998 saw Gary take on the role as musical supervisor to the British film Still Crazy which told the story of the antics of a fictional band. Things turned a bit sour in 1999 when Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble took Gary Kemp to court over issues surrounding royalties. Hadley, Norman and Keeble lost the case. The 00's saw the release of Spandau Ballet album packages including Gold - The Best of Spandau Ballet, Reformation - Anthology and a 20th Anniversary release of the album True in 2003.

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