Ardal O'Hanlon(/oʊˈhænlən/;born 8 October 1965) is an Irish comedian, actor, and author. He playedFather Dougal McGuireinFather Ted(1995–1998), George Sunday/Thermoman inMy Hero(2000–2006), and DI Jack Mooney inDeath in Paradise(2017–2020). His novelThe Talk of the Townwas published in 1998.
Ardal O'Hanlon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 October 1965 Carrickmacross,County Monaghan,Ireland |
| Education | Blackrock College |
| Alma mater | NIHE, Dublin |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | Melanie O'Hanlon |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Rory O'Hanlon |
| Relatives | Peter Fenelon Collier |
Early life
editO'Hanlon was born inCarrickmacross,County Monaghan,[1]the son ofFianna FáilTDand physicianRory O'Hanlonand Teresa (née Ward).[1]He is the third of six children, and has three brothers and two sisters.[2]
O'Hanlon was schooled inBlackrock CollegeinDublinand graduated, in 1987, from theNational Institute for Higher Education,Dublin (nowDublin City University), with a degree incommunication studies.[3]
Career
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2024) |
Together withKevin GildeaandBarry Murphy,O'Hanlon founded theInternational Comedy Cellar,upstairs in theInternational Baron Dublin's SouthWicklow Street.[1]Dublin had no comedy scene at the time. As a stand up, O'Hanlon won theHackney Empire New Act of the Yearcompetition in 1994. For a time he was the presenter ofThe Stand Up Show.[1]
He was spotted byGraham Linehan,who was to cast him asFather Dougal McGuireinFather Ted(1995–98). During filming, O’Hanlon went to buy shoes. Still being in costume, the seller thought he was a real priest and offered the footwear for free.[4]In 1995 he received the Top TV Comedy Newcomer at theBritish Comedy Awardsfor this role. In 1995, he appeared (as Father Dougal) in aChannel 4ident( "Hello, you're watching... television" ), and duringComic Reliefon BBC1. This was followed by the award-winning short comedy filmFlying Saucer Rock'n'Roll.In a 2019 interview, O'Hanlon admitted that he had attempted to distance himself fromFather Tedonce the show had finished.[1]
O'Hanlon moved into straight acting alongsideEmma FieldingandBeth Goddardin theITVcomedy-dramaBig Bad World,which aired for two series in summer 1999 and winter 2001.[1]He also played a minor role inThe Butcher Boyas Joe's (Francie's best friend) father, and appeared in an episode of the originalWhose Line is it Anyway?.
In 2000, O'Hanlon starred in the comedy seriesMy Hero,in which he played a very naive superhero from the planet Ultron.[1]His character juggled world-saving heroics with life in suburbia. He stayed in the role until the first episode of series 6 in July 2006, when he was replaced byJames Dreyfusduring the same episode.
O'Hanlon also provided the voice of the lead character in the three Christmas television cartoon specials ofRobbie the Reindeer.He appeared in the 2005BBC OnesitcomBlessed,written byBen Elton;at the 2005 British Comedy Awards, it was publicly slated byJonathan Ross,albeit in jest.[5]Towards the end of 2005, he played an eccentric Scottish character, Coconut Tam, in the family based film,The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby.He has also appeared on radio, including an appearance onQuote... UnquoteonBBC Radio 4on 18 July 2011. Appropriately, one of his questions concerned a quotation fromFather Ted.In 2015, he appeared as incompetent angel Smallbone in the sitcomThe Best Laid Plans,on the same channel.
In 2006, O'Hanlon wrote and presented anRTÉtelevision series calledLeagues Apart,which saw him investigate the biggest and most passionate football rivalries in a number of European countries. Included were Roma vs Lazio in Italy, Barcelona vs Real Madrid in Spain, and Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce inTurkey.He followed this with another RTÉ show,So You Want To Be Taoiseach?in 2007. It was a political series in which O'Hanlon gave tongue-in-cheek advice on how to go about becomingTaoiseachof Ireland.
He appeared in theDoctor Whoepisode "Gridlock",broadcast on 14 April 2007, in which he played a catlike creature named Thomas Kincade Brannigan.[6]O'Hanlon appears in series 3 of the TV showSkins,[1]playing Naomi Campbell (Lily Loveless)'s politics teacher named Kieran, who attempted to kiss her. He then went on to form a relationship with Naomi's mother (Olivia Colman). O'Hanlon plays the lead role in Irish comedy television programmeVal Falvey, TDonRTÉ One.In 2012, he performed in theEdinburgh Fringe.
In February 2011, O'Hanlon returned to theGate Theatre,Dublin starring in the Irish premiere of Christopher Hampton's translation of Yasmina Reza'sGod of Carnage,alongsideMaura Tierney.Later that year, he appeared in the comedy panel showArgumental.
O'Hanlon has written a novel,The Talk of the Town(known in the United States asKnick Knack Paddy Whack), which was published in 1998. The novel is about a teenage boy, Patrick Scully, and his friends.
In February 2015, he officially launched the 2015 SkyCat LaughsComedy Festival, which took place inKilkennyfrom 28 May–1 June.[7]In 2015 he played the role of Peter the Milkman in theSky OnesitcomAfter Hours.
On 2 February 2017, it was announced he would play the lead role in the BBC crime dramaDeath in Paradisetaking the role of DI Jack Mooney followingKris Marshall's departure the same day. He announced his intention to leave the series in early 2020 and was replaced byRalf Little.[8]
On 25 November 2021, it was announced that he would participate in series 13 ofTaskmaster.[9]He finished in 4th place ahead ofJudi Love.
In January 2024, he presented his first Irish language show,Inis na nIontas,onTG4,exploring the islands around the coast of Ireland.[10]
Personal life
editO'Hanlon met his wife Melanie as a teenager. They have three children.[11]He is a supporter ofLeeds United.[12]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Moll Flanders | Gentleman From East Chiswick | |
| 1997 | The Butcher Boy | Mr. Purcell | |
| 1998 | Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll | Eddie Johnny | Short film[13] |
| 2002 | Another Bobby O'Hara Story... | Bobby O'Hara | |
| 2005 | The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby | Coconut Tam | |
| 2007 | Blind Eye | Immigration Official | Short film |
| 2008 | Tales of the Riverbank | Hammy Hamster (voice) | Direct-to-DVD |
| 2009 | Wide Open Spaces | Myles | |
| 2016 | Donkeys | Derek | Short film |
| Handsome Devil | Dan Roche | ||
| Twice Shy | Brendan O'Meara | ||
| 2021 | Rian | McCarthy | Short film |
| 2024 | My Freaky Family | Nerlin Flood | |
| TBA | Fran the Man | Jim O'Dea | Post production |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–1998 | Father Ted | Father Dougal McGuire | Series 1–3 (25 episodes) |
| 1996 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Himself | Series 8; Episode 7 |
| 1997 | Top of the Pops | Himself - Guest Presenter | Series 34; Episode 5[14] |
| 1999 | Hooves of Fire | Robbie the Reindeer (voice) | Television film |
| The Comedy Trail: A Shaggy Dog Story | George Sunday / Thermoman | Television Special | |
| 1999–2001 | Big Bad World | Eamon Donaghy | Series 1–3 (16 episodes) |
| 2000–2006 | My Hero | George Sunday / Thermoman | Series 1–6 (45 episodes) |
| 2002 | Legend of the Lost Tribe | Robbie the Reindeer (voice) | Television film |
| 2005 | Blessed | Gary Chandler | Episodes 1–8 |
| 2006 | Leagues Apart | Himself - Presenter | Episodes 1–6 |
| 2007 | Close Encounters of the Herd Kind | Robbie the Reindeer (voice) | Television film |
| Doctor Who | Thomas Brannigan | Series 3; Episode 3: "Gridlock" | |
| 2008 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Himself | Series 1; Episode 4: "Ardal O'Hanlon" |
| 2009 | Val Falvey, TD | Val Falvey | Episodes 1–6 |
| Skins | Kieran | Series 3; Episodes 1 & 6: "Everyone" and "Naomi" | |
| 2010 | Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow | Himself | Series 2; Episode 6: "Leeds" |
| 2013 | London Irish | Chris 'Da' Lynch | Mini-series (4 episodes) |
| 2014 | Lily's Driftwood Bay | Bull Dozer | Series 1; Episode 24: "Stop! Watch" |
| 2015 | Celebrity Mastermind | Himself - Contestant | Series 14; Episode 1 |
| Cucumber | Brian McCoy | Mini-series; Episode 4 | |
| Nelly & Nora | Dad (voice) | 24 episodes | |
| After Hours | Peter Hannigan | Episodes 1–6 | |
| 2016 | Ireland with Ardal O'Hanlon | Himself - Presenter | Episodes 1–3 |
| 2017–2020 | Death in Paradise | DI Jack Mooney | Series 6–9 (24 episodes) |
| 2019 | Showbands: How Ireland Learned to Party | Himself - Presenter | Television film |
| 2019–2022 | Derry Girls | Eamonn | Series 2; Episode 4: "The Curse" and Series 3; Episode 7: "The Agreement" |
| 2021 | Would I Lie to You? | Himself - Panellist | Series 15; Christmas Special |
| 2022 | Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything | Conall | Series 1; Episodes 1–5 |
| Taskmaster | Himself - Contestant | Series 13; Episodes 1–10 | |
| Countdown | Himself | Dictionary Corner. Series 86 & 88 (10 episodes) | |
| 2023 | The Woman in the Wall | Dara | Episodes 2 & 3: "Show Thyself" and "Knock Knock" |
| 2023–2024 | Extraordinary | Martin (voice) | Series 1 & 2 (8 episodes) |
| 2024 | Celebrity Catchphrase | Himself - Contestant | Series 9; Episode 9: "Chris Bisson,Ruth Madeleyand Ardal O'Hanlon " |
| Return to Paradise | DI Jack Mooney | Episodes 1 & 6: "R.I.P. Tide" and "Oh Mine Papa" |
Awards
edit| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Hackney Empire New Act of the Year |
| 1995 | Top TV Comedy Newcomer at theBritish Comedy Awards |
References
edit- ^abcdefghChristie, Janet (11 November 2019)."Ardal O'Hanlon: I had to distance myself from Father Ted after it finished".scotsman.com.Archivedfrom the original on 3 June 2020.Retrieved3 June2020.
- ^Palmer, Camilla (27 December 2013)."Ardal O'Hanlon: My family values".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 18 December 2021.Retrieved18 December2021.
- ^Freyne, Patrick."Ardal O'Hanlon: 'I was always this weird, watchful kind of kid'".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 18 April 2022.Retrieved18 April2022.
- ^"Ardal O'Hanlon Interview Father Ted Death in Paradise".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 22 November 2021.
- ^"9783612650702: Talk of the Town. - O'Hanlon, Ardal: 361265070X - AbeBooks".www.abebooks.com.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2022.Retrieved7 November2022.
- ^Masters, Tim (22 March 2007)."Fans mad for Doctor's new companion".BBC News.Archivedfrom the original on 28 March 2007.Retrieved3 April2007.
- ^"Ardal O'Hanlan launches this year's Cats Laughs as the festival comes of age".evoke.ie.26 February 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 28 February 2017.
- ^Palmer, Katie (27 January 2020)."Death in Paradise: When is Ralf Little's first episode?".express.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 27 January 2020.Retrieved27 January2020.
- ^@Taskmaster (25 November 2021)."Taskmaster will return in 2022"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Ardal O'Hanlon to present his first Irish language show".19 December 2023.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^Dwyer, Ciara (7 May 2012)."Ardal O'Hanlon: Stand up for a life well lived".Irish Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 30 July 2018.Retrieved11 July2015.
- ^Tench, Matt (3 August 2003)."My team: Ardal O'Hanlon".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 4 December 2020.Retrieved11 July2015.
- ^simon_duddy ([email protected]) (1 October 1998)."Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll (1998)".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on 10 March 2016.Retrieved5 October2015.
- ^"BBC – Top of the Pops 2 – Trivia".bbc.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 2 March 2016.Retrieved5 October2015.