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Rhys Darby

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Rhys Darby
Darby performing in 2013
Born
Rhys Montague Darby

(1974-03-21)21 March 1974(age 50)
Auckland,New Zealand
Occupations
Years active1996–present
SpouseRosie Carnahan (m. 2004)
Children2
Websiterhysdarby

Rhys Montague Darby(born 21 March 1974)[1][2]is a New Zealand actor and comedian, known for his energetic physical comedy routines, telling stories accompanied withmime,and sound effects[3]of things such as machinery and animals.[4]He was nominated for theBilly T Awardin 2001 and 2002.[5]He also won the 2012 Fred (Dagg) award at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, for best NZ show.[6]

Darby is best known for playingMurray Hewitt,the band manager ofFlight of the Conchordsin thetelevision series,a role he originally played in theBBC radio seriesunder the name Brian Nesbit.[7]He has appeared in films such asYes Man(2008),The Boat That Rocked(2009),Love Birds(2011),What We Do in the Shadows(2014),Trolls(2016),Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle(2017),Guns Akimbo(2019),Relax, I'm from the Future(2022), andNext Goal Wins(2023). Starting March 2022, he starred asStede BonnetalongsideTaika Waititiin theHBO Maxperiod romantic comedy seriesOur Flag Means Death.[8]

Early life[edit]

Darby was born inAucklandand was brought up in the suburb ofPakuranga.He attended Edgewater College.[9]A former soldier, he left theNew Zealand Armyin 1994 and began studies at theUniversity of Canterbury.[10]In 1996 he formed a comedy duo, Rhysently Granted, with Grant Lobban.[11]After winning an open mic contest at Southern Blues Bar inChristchurch,the duo began performing at local venues.[12]

Career[edit]

Rhys Darby at Gramercy, 2007

Rhysently Granted performed at two international comedy festivals which led to Darby moving back toAucklandto seek more solo stand-up experience.[13]After performing his first solo show at the2002 Edinburgh Festival Fringe,Darby moved to the UK to pursue his career further.[5]

In 2004 he appeared in the Flight of the Conchords BBC radio series as the band's manager Brian Nesbit alongside comedy stars such asRob Brydon,Andy ParsonsandJimmy Carr.[7]Darby's character was renamed to Murray Hewitt, the band's manager, for theFlight of the ConchordsTV show. He provided vocals for the track "Leggy Blonde" on theirself-titled first albumand also in the second series of the show on the track "Rejected" during the episode "A Good Opportunity"alongside tenor Andrew Drost.[14]

Darby played the role of Norman, the Boss ofJim Carrey's character inYes Man.[15]In July 2008 he appeared in aNikeadvertisement featuringRoger Federer;he played an impostor posing as Federer's coach.[16][17][dead link]

He appeared on a British children's television programmeThe Slammerduring its first series. He also appeared in several advertisements for New Zealand mobile phone company2degrees.He appeared onSoccer AMon 18 October 2008 and onNever Mind The Buzzcockson 23 October.

Rhys Darby's hair colour is self-described asElectric Copperin the episode ofFlight of the ConchordsentitledMurray Takes It to the Next Level.He refers to this in his stand-up showIt's Rhys Darby Nightwhich he performed at theEdinburgh Festival Fringefrom 6–15 August 2009,[18]The Bloomsbury Theatre in London from 27 July – 1 August and toured around New Zealand with in October and November that year.

Darby played the role of Angus in theRichard CurtisfilmThe Boat That Rocked[19]released in the UK on 1 April 2009. This film was released in some countries in November 2009 under the namePirate Radio.[20]

In 2009, while home in New Zealand, he began filming TV ads for NZ's new mobile network2degreesand appearing in NZ showsRocked the Nation 2,Jaquie Brown DiariesandIntrepid Journeys.He has also branched out into producing live comedy with his wife and their companyAwesomeness International.At the NZ International Comedy Festival they produced shows for local comedians. Darby became a climate ambassador forGreenpeacein its Sign On climate campaign[21]and published a poem and video in support of the campaign.[22]

In 2009 Darby became a part of the New ZealandTV ONEseriesIntrepid Journeys,Season 5, touringRwanda.On 10 August 2010,Entertainment Weeklyclaimed that Darby was in consideration for a role in the television seriesThe OfficeafterSteve Carellleft at the end of the 2011 season; however, this did not materialise.[23]

In May 2011, he also filmed a pilot for aChannel 4sitcom in the UK,The Fun Police.[24]The pilot was broadcast on 16 September. In 2011, Darby and family moved to the US for Darby to take a role in the CBS sitcomHow to Be a Gentleman.[25]Darby's second DVDIt's Rhys Darby Night!was released in NZ on 12 December 2011.[20]

He wrote a self-described "autobiographical space novel" entitledThis Way to Spaceship,which was released on 12 April 2012. On 20 May 2012, Darby was awarded the Fred Award by theNew Zealand International Comedy Festivalfor his show of the same name as his book.[6]

In 2013, he was responsible for flying 'Cornish rappers'Hedluv + Passmanto New Zealand for theNew Zealand International Comedy Festival.[26]This was followed by an appearance onSeven Sharp,where he introduced 'his rappers'[26]to the New Zealand public.[27]

Since 2013, Darby has co-hosted thecryptozoology-focused podcastThe Cryptid FactorwithDan SchreiberandDavid Farrier.[28]

Darby climbed to the summit ofMount Kilimanjaroin July 2013 as part of a World Vision team of celebrities that included OlympianMahé Drysdaleand musicianBoh Runga.On 8 November 2013, Darby made an appearance and performed some standup comedy in his capacity as second guest on theLate Show with David Letterman.He portrayed Anton in the 2014 release comedy horror filmWhat We Do in the Shadows.[29]

As of July 2014, Darby and his family reside inLos Angeles, California,US.[30]

In February 2016, he played Guy Mann in the third episode ( "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster") ofseason 10ofThe X-Files.Darby, a long-time fan of the show, was thrilled by his experience on set. He saw this as an opportunity that only comes around every so often and said he'd return to the set the first chance he received.[31]

In 2018, Darby participated in a video together withPrime Minister of New ZealandJacinda Ardernas part of a tourism campaign for the country in which they discussed why New Zealandwas being excluded from world mapsso frequently.[32]Darby appeared on the panel showPatriot Brainsin 2021.

In 2022, he starred in theHBO MaxshowOur Flag Means Deathas pirateStede Bonnet.Our Flag Means Deathreceived praise for its LGBT representation,[33]in part due to the romantic relationship between Bonnet andBlackbeard,played by co-starTaika Waititi.[34]

In June 2024, Darby starred as the Interim Deputy Director of “Turalism” in a promotional video for the launch of the fifth expansion for "Final Fantasy XIV",Dawntrail,taking the form of a tourism advertisement for the expansion's central setting, the continent of Tural.[35]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Yes Man Norman "Norm" Stokes
2009 The Boat That Rocked Angus Nutsford TitledPirate Radioin North America
Diagnosis: Death Specialist
Peacock Season Galtrex Guy
2011 Coming & Going Lee Leonetti
Love Birds Doug
Arthur Christmas Lead Elf Voice
2014 What We Do in the Shadows Anton
2016 Hunt for the Wilderpeople Psycho Sam
Trolls Bibbly Voice[36]
2017 Killing Hasselhoff Fish
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Nigel Billingsley
2019 Guns Akimbo Glenjamin
Mosley Deaver Voice[36]
Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans The Master of Games Voice[37][36]
Jumanji: The Next Level Nigel Billingsley
2020 100% Wolf Foxwell Cripp Voice[36]
2022 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie Hypno-Potamus Voice[38][36]
Relax, I'm from the Future Casper
2023 Next Goal Wins Rhys Marlin
Uproar Madigan

Television[edit]

Years Title Role Notes
2005 Who's Ya Mate? Multiple Television film
2007–2009 Flight of the Conchords Murray Hewitt 22 episodes
2008 Yo Gabba Gabba Himself 1 episode
2009 The Jaquie Brown Diaries Terence Ben'et 1 episode
Comedy Showcase: The Amazing Dermot Dermot Flint
2010 Radiradirah Gavin Hoode, First Officer Rangi 3 episodes
2011 How to Be a Gentleman Mike 9 episodes
Comedy Showcase: The Fun Police Leslie
2012 Missing Christmas Dennis Gob Television film[36]
Jake and the Never Land Pirates Percy
Life Stinks Connor Miniseries
The Skinner Boys: Live at Mingara NSW Professor Tinkerpuff Television stage show
QI Guest panellist Episode: "Justice"
2013 How I Met Your Mother Hamish 1 episode
Watsky's Releasing an Album Flynn 3 episodes
The Aquabats! Super Show! The Shark Fighter
Tiny Commando Tony Turk Voice, 2 episodes
Keep Calm and Karey On Television film
2014 Legit Trevor 1 episode
Short Poppies Various characters
Modern Family Fergus Anderson 1 episode
Comedy Bang! Bang! Uncle Deckard
Hot in Cleveland Jack 3 episodes
The Millers Martin Episode: "CON-Troversy"
It's a Date Craig 1 episode
2015–2016 Thunderbirds Are Go Langstrom Fischler Voice, 3 episodes[39][36]
2015 Life in Pieces Teddy 2 episodes
2016 The X-Files Guy Mann Episode: "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster"
The Barefoot Bandits Dennis Gobb, Billy Bob Gobb Voice[36]
2016–2019 Mike Tyson Mysteries Terry Voice, 2 episodes[36]
2016–2018 Wrecked Steve Regular
Voltron: Legendary Defender Coran Voice, 27 episodes[36]
2017 A Series of Unfortunate Events Charles 2 episodes
Fresh Off the Boat Tony Wonder Episode: "Living While Eddie"
Dr. Ken Charles Evans Episode: "Ken and the CEO"
The Lion Guard Mwenzi Voice, episode: "Ono the Tickbird"[36]
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Stevahn Rabren Episode: "Dean's Legacy"
Milo Murphy's Law King Pistashion Voice, episode: "Missing Milo"
We Bare Bears Kyle Voice, episode: "Kyle"
The Jim Jefferies Show Jacko Episode: "America’s Opioid Epidemic"
Welcome to the Wayne Isthotep Voice, episode: "Flutch"[36]
2017–2023 Bob's Burgers Duncan / Quincy Cox Voice, 3 episodes[36]
2018 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Hypno-Potamus / Mezmer-Ron Voice, recurring role[36]
Skylanders Academy Crash Bandicoot Voice, 2 episodes (Season 3)
The Simpsons Tag Tuckerbag Voice, episode: "Heartbreak Hotel"[40]
The Venture Bros H.E.L.P.eR. Model Two Voice, episode: "The Inamorata Consequence"[36]
2018–2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Eddie Voice, 5 episodes[36]
2019–2020 Infinity Train Randall Voice, 4 episodes[36]
2019–2020 Carmen Sandiego Neal the Eel Voice, 2 episodes[36]
2020 Big City Greens Life Guard Voice, episode: "Shark Objects"
Moominvalley Mysterious Fisherman Voice, 3 episodes
The Big Fib C.L.I.V.E. 30 episodes
The Boss Baby: Back in Business Happy Sedengry Voice, 3 episodes
2021 Wellington Paranormal Anton-Park Ranger Episode: "Te Maero"
The Great North Denny the Snowflake Voice, episode: "Game of Snownes"
Sweet Tooth Hazmat #2 Episode: "Big Man"
2022 Pacific Rim: The Black Bunyip Man Voice, episode: "The Never Never"
Home Economics Monroe Davies Episode: "Book Deal, Terms Negotiable"
Action Pack Mr. Villainman 2 episodes[36]
2022–2023 Our Flag Means Death Stede Bonnet Main Role, 18 episodes
2023 SpongeBob SquarePants Krabby Patty Voice, episode: "My Friend Patty"
Kiff Trollie Voice, 2 episodes[36]
Curses! Stanley Main role
2024 Night Court Alistair Tully, The Duke of Greybog season 2 episode 12 "The Duke's a Hazard"

Television appearances as himself[edit]

Year Title
2001–2002 Billy T Award
2005 Mighty Truck of Stuff
2006 The Slammer
2007–2008 Sounds Like a Laugh
2008 Yo Gabba Gabba!
2008 The Comedy Store Live
2009 Rocked the Nation 2: 100 NZ Pop Culture Moments
2009 Spicks and Specks
2009 Thank God You're Here
2009 ROVE
2009 Intrepid Journeys
2009–2012 7 Days
2010 The Qantas TV and Film Awards
2011 A Quiet Word With...
2011 The Rob Brydon Show
2012 Mad Mad World
2012 Sunday Brunch
2012 The Comedy Marathon Spectacular
2012 QI
2013–2017 @midnight
2013 Late Show with David Letterman
2014 No, You Shut Up!
2016 The Café
2016–2017 Whose Line is it Anyway? Australia
2020 Rhys Darby in Japan
2021 The Masked Singer NZ
2021 Patriot Brains

Comedy specials[edit]

  • Imagine That!(2008)
  • It's Rhys Darby Night!(2011)
  • This Way to Spaceship(2012)
  • I'm a Fighter Jet(2017)
  • Mystic Time Bird(2021)

Video games[edit]

Year Title Voice role
2017 Voltron VR Chronicles Coran
2018 Dr. Grordbort's Invaders Gimble
2019 Jumanji: The Video Game Nigel Billingsley[36]
2020 Half-Life: Alyx Russell[41][36]
2020 Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 3 Battle Pass voiceover
2023 Jumanji: Wild Adventures Nigel Billingsley[36]

Accolades[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2001 Billy T Award Kiwi Comedian with "Outstanding Potential" Rhys Darby Nominated [5]
2002 Nominated
2012 Fred Award Best New Zealand Show Rhys Darby Won [6]
2022 Peabody Awards Entertainment Our Flag Means Death Nominated [42]
2024 Tell-Tale TV Awards Favorite Performer in a Cable or Streaming Comedy Series Rhys Darby Won [43]


References[edit]

  1. ^McDonald, Greer (7 November 2009)."Rhys Darby not planning to slow down".The Dominion Post.Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2016.Retrieved14 June2012.
  2. ^Hunkin, Joanna (10 October 2008)."Roll call: Rhys Darby".The New Zealand Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2016.Retrieved6 July2012.
  3. ^"Rhys Darby's review".Chortle.Archivedfrom the original on 6 January 2010.Retrieved25 May2010.
  4. ^Keith Huang (13 August 2007)."Inside With: Rhys Darby".The Apiary.Archivedfrom the original on 5 May 2014.Retrieved25 May2010.
  5. ^abcRhys Darby profileArchived6 August 2009 at theWayback Machine
  6. ^abc"Rhys Darby wins top NZ award".Television New Zealand.21 May 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2012.Retrieved21 May2012.
  7. ^ab"Radio 2 Comedy".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 25 January 2021.Retrieved25 May2010.
  8. ^Pulliam-Moore, Charles (15 April 2022)."How Our Flag Means Death's creator made a period romance disguised as a pirate comedy".The Verge.Archivedfrom the original on 6 June 2023.Retrieved18 April2022.
  9. ^"Global star recalls roots".Howick and Pakuranga Times.12 May 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 13 August 2016.Retrieved3 July2016.
  10. ^"Performance in University Comedy Show".Retrieved25 May2010– via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  11. ^""Mrs Whippy" song by Rhysently Granted ".2 April 2008.Retrieved25 May2010– via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  12. ^"Rhysently Granted performance in Christchurch bar 1997".10 April 2008.Retrieved25 May2010– via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  13. ^"May 2000 Stand-up Performance".2 September 2008.Retrieved25 May2010– via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  14. ^"Flight of the Conchords – A Good Opportunity".BBC Four.BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 31 December 2019.Retrieved29 December2019.
  15. ^"Darby joins Jim Carrey movie".Chortle. 24 September 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 31 December 2010.Retrieved25 May2010.
  16. ^Brown, Rich (2 July 2008)."Roger Federer's coach 'revealed' in Nike advert".The Telegraph.London, UK.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2010.Retrieved25 May2010.
  17. ^"Video – watch video clips, live streaming, daily".Retrieved14 February2016.
  18. ^"Rhys Darby: It's Rhys Darby Night".Edinburghfestival.list.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2009.Retrieved25 May2010.
  19. ^"Pirate Radio (2009)".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2018.Retrieved29 June2018.
  20. ^abRhys DarbyatIMDb
  21. ^"GREENPEACE New Zealand".Sign On.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2010.Retrieved14 February2016.
  22. ^"Rhys Darby Global Warming Poem".media.greenpeace.org.Archivedfrom the original on 5 July 2022.Retrieved4 July2022.
  23. ^Brian Gallagher (10 August 2010)."The Office Seeking Danny McBride and Rhys Darby?".MovieWeb.Archivedfrom the original on 12 September 2010.Retrieved16 May2012.
  24. ^"Vic Reeves and Rhys Darby to star in health and safety sitcom pilot".The British Comedy Guide. 18 May 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 22 May 2011.Retrieved29 May2011.
  25. ^"rhysdarby".How to Be a Gentleman.Archivedfrom the original on 2 July 2007.Retrieved18 July2007.
  26. ^ab"Rhys Darby: Two Cornish rappers and a Casiotone to go".The New Zealand Herald.15 April 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 7 May 2013.Retrieved17 June2013.
  27. ^"Hedluv + Passman on Seven Sharp NZ".17 April 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021.Retrieved14 February2016– via YouTube.
  28. ^"The Cryptid Factor".Archivedfrom the original on 11 November 2020.Retrieved3 May2021.
  29. ^"What We Do in Shadows stars FOTC's Rhys Darby, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, and Jackie Van Beek".Absolute Radio.7 July 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 20 February 2015.Retrieved12 July2014.
  30. ^Geoff Lloyd (7 July 2014)."Geoff Lloyd – Rhys Derby".absoluteradio.co.uk/onair/geoff/index.html(Podcast).Absolute Radio.Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2014.Retrieved12 July2014.
  31. ^"Rhys Darby on Playing an X-Files Monster and the Future of Flight of the Conchords".Vulture.February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2016.Retrieved12 May2016.
  32. ^Ainge Roy, Eleanor (2 May 2018)."Jacinda Ardern asks why New Zealand is left off world maps in new tourism campaign".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 13 February 2023.Retrieved8 February2023.
  33. ^"Our Flag Means DeathMight Just Be the Best Queer Show of the Year ".Junkee.23 March 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2022.Retrieved24 March2022.
  34. ^"Our Flag Means Death:Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby on Their Pirate Love Story's Sincere Finale — Q&A ".IndieWire.24 March 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2022.Retrieved24 March2022.
  35. ^"FINAL FANTASY XIV on X:" Interim Deputy Director of Turalism here! If you're planning a trip to Tural, visit our website for all your travel needs! Adventure awaits - FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail is available July 2 ".X.26 June 2024.Retrieved27 June2024.
  36. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw"Rhys Darby (visual voices guide)".Behind The Voice Actors.Retrieved20 March2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  37. ^Zachary, Brandon (25 July 2019)."REVIEW: Teen Titans Go Vs. Teen Titans Is A Goofy Love Letter To The Team".CBR.Retrieved20 March2024.
  38. ^Chatterjee, Pramit (29 July 2022)."'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie' Review - A Gorgeous Non-Stop Action Extravaganza ".DMT.Retrieved20 March2024.
  39. ^"News – Thunderbirds Are Go".Archived fromthe originalon 28 March 2020.Retrieved17 September2016.
  40. ^"Simpsons showrunner on Homer's 'cheating' on Marge, RuPaul's guest spot, Apu controversy".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 29 September 2018.Retrieved4 October2018.
  41. ^O'Connor, James."Half-Life: Alyx Recasts Alyx, Eli, And Others, And Features Rhys Darby".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on 22 November 2019.Retrieved22 November2019.
  42. ^Voyles, Blake (20 September 2023)."83rd Peabody Award Nominees".Archivedfrom the original on 26 September 2023.Retrieved20 September2023.
  43. ^"The 2024 Tell-Tale TV Awards: Results! ‘Ghosts,’ ‘Station 19,’ and ‘Good Omens’ Among Winners".Tell-Tale TV.Retrieved 17 June 2024.

External links[edit]

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