Michael Fry (comedian)

Last updated

Michael Fry
Birth nameMatthew Dinneen
MediumInternet comedy
Genres Parody music

Matthew Dinneen, [1] best known by his stage name Michael Fry, is an Irish comedian, actor and musician.

Contents

Early life

The son of a mother from Donegal and a father from Salford, Fry grew up in Navan along with his three brothers. [1] He studied at St Patrick's Classical School. [2] While in school, he studied at the Gaiety School of Acting. He originally pursued a business degree at the University of Galway, but later moved to Trinity College. [3]

Career

Sketches

Fry started creating videos while living in Coleraine and working for Tourism Ireland, though he chose to use a pseudonym due to the company's social media policy. He chose the name "Michael Fry" as his Twitter account was named "@BigDirtyFry", and described Michael as "the most generic name he could think of". [3] After a sketch Fry made about the Derry/Londonderry name dispute went viral, his Twitter following grew from 480 to 14,800. [4]

Various sketches made by Fry have gone viral on social media, including parodies of a Liam Payne interview at the 2022 Oscars, [5] Handforth Parish Council, [3] 2021 and 2022 year-end versions of We Didn't Start the Fire, [6] [7] Conor McGregor [8] and Irish mothers. Many of his sketches are done in the form of songs. [9] [10]

Acting and television

His first appearance on stage was at 16. [1]

Fry appeared in Holding, the 2022 Virgin Media adaptation of Graham Norton's debut novel of the same name. [1] [11] Also in 2022, Fry made an appearance in an episode of Derry Girls as a train employee. [12] [13]

In 2022, Fry starred in a music video for Sorcha Richardson. [14]

In September 2022, Fry starred alongside other Irish comedians, including Emma Doran and Justine Stafford, in RTÉ2's sketch show No Worries If Not! [15]

Radio

In 2022, Fry was cast in the BBC Radio 4 sketch show Parish is Burning. [16]

Personal life

Fry has described himself as being "influenced by TV shows rather than individuals", such as Peep Show, The Office and Parks and Recreation. [17]

Fry has participated in an initiative by Foras na Gaeilge for RTÉ Radio 1 to promote the learning of the Irish language. [18] He has done ad campaigns for Permanent TSB. [19]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Glennon, Nicole (23 July 2022). "Michael Fry: There's something really weird about calling yourself a comedian". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Navan comedian Michael Fry on his accidental path to fame". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Michael Fry: 'I've never done live stuff ever. It absolutely terrifies me'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Interview: Michael Fry, the accidental comedian". The Circular. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Viral comedian Michael Fry: 'Liam Payne at the Oscars sounded like me drunk in the smoking area' | indy100". www.indy100.com. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (9 December 2021). "Brilliant recap of 2021 by Irish comedian Michael Fry has people in stitches". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Michael Fry Leaves Fans In Hysterics With Annual Year-End Recap". 14 December 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "Social media sensation Michael Fry on sending up Twink and the McGregors, and why he's 'terrified of ever meeting' Aiden Gillen". independent. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Moriarty, Aoife (16 September 2021). "Comedian Michael Fry on being too shy for the stage and finding online fame". Buzz.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Murphy, Lauren (2 February 2021). "Twitter comedian Michael Fry's musical version of Twink's 'Zip Up Your Mickey' is his best work yet". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Graham Norton To Host Amazon Prime's First Irish Original Series". LADbible. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Rising comedian Michael Fry opens up about iconic Derry Girls appearance - Extra.ie". 17 May 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Three iconic cameos and a packet of salt and vinegar - best bits from Derry Girls ep3". Lovin.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  14. ↑ Cole, Lauryn. "Comedian Michael Fry guest stars in Sorcha Richardson's video for 'Shark Eyes'". Hotpress. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Meet the gang from RTÉ sketch show No Worries If Not". RTÉ TEN . 8 September 2022.
  16. ↑ Guide, British Comedy (18 March 2022). "Radio 4 orders surreal Irish sketch pilot Parish Is Burning". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  17. ↑ Townsend, Michelle (6 January 2023). "Michael Fry's Best Things in Life: Favourite movie, concert and holiday". RSVP Live. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  18. ↑ "Michael Fry on his return to the Irish language" (in Irish). 25 October 2022.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ↑ "WATCH: Michael Fry has discovered the perfect way to be an absolute dote to his Godmother Catherine". Her.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
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