Like many other British entertainers, Martin Kemp has successfully managed the transition between different branches of entertainment such as pop music, film, and even television. He is probably famous for being a member of one of the major New Romantic groups of the era, Spandau Ballet, for his part in The Krays, released in 1990, and the long-running role of Steve Owen in EastEnders.

Early musical career

Martin John Kemp was born on October 10, 1961, in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. Having gained recognition as one of the musicians who made 1980s pop music epochal, Martin started his music career at a very young age, becoming a bassist for the legendary Spandau Ballet in London. In the 1980s, this pop group was one of the brightest representatives of the New Romantic movement in British pop music of that period.

Like other performers who defined that period of British pop culture, Spandau Ballet members were famous not only for their music but for their peculiar visual aesthetics as well: fancy hairstyles, make-up, and outfits that were specific to the era made Kemp's performance distinctive and recognizable. Nevertheless, in addition to his performance that helped to popularize the look that was typical for 1980s, he became part of the musical ensemble and thus was able to contribute significantly to making the group popular.

The formation of Spandau Ballet took place within the club movement and the post-punk era of the London rock music scene. Kemp became one of its representatives and gained great popularity because of its stylish performance and glamorous image in the era when all these characteristics became an integral part of British pop culture.

Despite the division in the band, Martin's performances of that time became popular and well remembered and thus are constantly mentioned as something characteristic of that era of pop music that was dominated by Spandau Ballet.

  • Journeys to Glory (1981): the album that marked the beginning of Spandau Ballet; it presented to the listeners the sound that characterized the band
  • True (1983)
  • The Krays (1990): Kemp's debut film, in which he played Charlie Kray; The Krays tells the true story of brothers Charlie and Ronnie Kray who operated in London in that epoch
  • EastEnders (1998–2002): his famous TV show with the role of Steve Owen

Acting

Martin Kemp's acting career began with The Krays in 1990, in which he played Charlie Kray, whereas his elder brother, Gary Kemp, played Ronnie Kray. The film tells a criminal story that happened in London at that time and proves that Martin Kemp is capable not only of being a musician, but also of playing well-known characters. However, as can be understood, Martin Kemp's career as an actor began after his career as a musician.

Nevertheless, he succeeded and was noticed, being famous as a musician before he played Charlie Kray in his first film. After his participation in this crime film, Martin Kemp proved his ability to become a good professional actor.

Despite being an experienced musician and performing well in this role, Kemp's acting abilities also allowed him to play other characters; although Kemp was recognized as an extremely handsome man, he could portray different characters successfully. Thus, his career included numerous roles in television, movies, and documentaries.

He was capable of playing serious as well as funny and entertaining characters, as Kemp was very experienced, and that explains his longevity in the film industry. The film was one of Martin Kemp's major works. However, this film made Martin Kemp a prominent actor who was also famous thanks to his previous career as a musician and as a bassist of the group Spandau Ballet.

After this successful acting debut, he starred in some popular series, and his career as an actor became more and more popular. EastEnders became Martin Kemp's major role, as he was on it for several consecutive years. In that popular serial Martin Kemp played the prominent character Steve Owen, and thus his performance in this show made him one of the favorite television actors.

Other projects

In 1996, Martin Kemp was diagnosed with the brain tumors that interrupted his acting career for some period; nevertheless, Martin successfully coped with his illness and recovered. The disease became another element of Martin's biography that positively influenced his career.

The reunion of his old group, Spandau Ballet, became one of the milestones of his biography that allows one to understand Martin better. In addition to all previous works, this reunion proved again that Martin Kemp is a prominent artist and a talented musician who is still famous not only for acting.

Personal and family life

Martin Kemp married singer Shirlie Holliman in 1988. They live together as of October 2026. Their children are Roman Kemp and Harley Moon Kemp.

Family life is an important element of his biography because his son, Roman Kemp, became a successful television and radio presenter. The story of Martin Kemp is unique and interesting as it involves several spheres of British popular culture at once: firstly, Martin became known as a musician belonging to the legendary Spandau Ballet in the 1980s, then he proved himself as a good actor in EastEnders; and finally, he is a popular television celebrity.