About 1728 Clive began to play at Drury Lane Theatre under the actor and dramatist Colley Cibber, and she soon became a favourite. She married George Clive, a barrister, but they separated by mutual consent. Her first great success was as a comedienne and singer. Almost her whole career belonged to Drury Lane, where, in 1747, she joined Garrick. Although she was temperamental and led Garrick, who was afraid of her, a troubled life, she remained with him for 22 years, always playing comedy roles. She also sang in some of the oratorios of George Frideric Handel, whose friend she was. In 1769 she retired.

The author Horace Walpole gave her a villa near his own at Twickenham.