Matthew Dinneen,[1] best known by his stage name Michael Fry, is an Irish comedian, actor and musician.
| Michael Fry | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Matthew Dinneen |
| Medium | Internet comedy |
| Genres | Parody music |
Early life
editThe 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
editSketches
editFry 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
editHis 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
editIn 2022, Fry was cast in the BBC Radio 4 sketch show Parish is Burning.[16]
Personal life
editFry 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Glennon, Nicole (23 July 2022). "Michael Fry: There's something really weird about calling yourself a comedian". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Navan comedian Michael Fry on his accidental path to fame". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ a b c "Michael Fry: 'I've never done live stuff ever. It absolutely terrifies me'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Interview: Michael Fry, the accidental comedian". The Circular. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Kent, David (9 December 2021). "Brilliant recap of 2021 by Irish comedian Michael Fry has people in stitches". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Michael Fry Leaves Fans In Hysterics With Annual Year-End Recap". 14 December 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Graham Norton To Host Amazon Prime's First Irish Original Series". LADbible. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Rising comedian Michael Fry opens up about iconic Derry Girls appearance - Extra.ie". 17 May 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Three iconic cameos and a packet of salt and vinegar - best bits from Derry Girls ep3". Lovin.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Cole, Lauryn. "Comedian Michael Fry guest stars in Sorcha Richardson's video for 'Shark Eyes'". Hotpress. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Meet the gang from RTÉ sketch show No Worries If Not". RTÉ TEN. 8 September 2022.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy (18 March 2022). "Radio 4 orders surreal Irish sketch pilot Parish Is Burning". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Townsend, Michelle (6 January 2023). "Michael Fry's Best Things in Life: Favourite movie, concert and holiday". RSVP Live. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Michael Fry on his return to the Irish language" (in Irish). 25 October 2022.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "WATCH: Michael Fry has discovered the perfect way to be an absolute dote to his Godmother Catherine". Her.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.