Gerry Connolly (comedian)

Gerald William Connolly (born 15 November 1957) is an Australian comedian, actor, impressionist and pianist. He is best known for his satirical caricatures of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, Joh Bjelke-Peterson, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Bill Collins and Dame Joan Sutherland, amongst many others.

For the US federal politician, see Gerry Connolly.

Gerry Connolly
Born (1957-11-15) 15 November 1957
OccupationActor, writer
Notable work
Fast Forward (1989)
The Real Macaw (1998)
The Gerry Connolly Show (1988)

Career

Comedy

He has gained much notoriety in Australia and the UK, having much success at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and Adelaide Comedy Festival with his hit one-man shows, including Gerry Connolly - Alone Or With Others and ICONNOLLY. In 1986, his live performances earned him the Wallace "Comedian Of The Year" Award. He has also made many TV appearances, including spots on Fast Forward, Live and Sweaty, Tonight Live with Steve Vizard, Hey Hey Its Saturday and Kath & Kim, as well as his own series, The Gerry Connolly Show.

Television

Connolly plays the Headmaster in ABC1's Dead Gorgeous.

Connolly appeared as himself in the ninth episode of the 1998 Australia television series The Games (in which he impersonated Bob Hawke).

In 2019, Gerry auditioned for Britain's Got Talent impersonating Queen Elizabeth II while roasting the judges . She was eliminated in the 2nd semi-final.

Film

In 1993, Connolly featured in a dramatic role portraying former Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson in the ABC TV telemovie Joh's Jury. He also had the major role of "Lou Rickets" in the Australian family film The Real Macaw in 1998, and made a cameo appearance as "Father Murphy" in The Wog Boy.

Theatre

Connolly has also had a successful career in the theatre, working with such groups as the Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir St Theatre. He played the role of "Mahoney" in the Melbourne Theatre Company's 1999 production of Arturo Ui, which earned him a nomination for a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Music

He graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music,[1] and has played piano with the Melbourne, Queensland and Tasmania Symphony Orchestras, being featured in concerts televised across Australia and the UK.

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References
  1. Northover, Kylie (22 May 2015). "Gerry Connolly laments the lack of flair in politicians today and is nuts about Cole Porter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
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