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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 former Queen of the United Kingdom Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Neville Wran, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, John Howard, Bill Collins and Dame Joan Sutherland, among many others.
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Gerry Connolly | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gerald William Connolly 15 November 1957 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 1980−present |
| Notable work | Fast Forward (1989) The Real Macaw (1998) The Gerry Connolly Show (1988) |
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Connolly was born in Rockhampton, Queensland. He studied at, and subsequently graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane, with a Bachelor of Music.[1]
Comedy
Connolly 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 I, CONnolly. 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
He played 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, Connolly auditioned for Britain's Got Talent impersonating Queen Elizabeth II while roasting the judges.[2] He was eliminated in the 2nd semi-final.
Film
In 1993, Connolly featured in a dramatic role portraying former Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen in the ABC 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. In 2022 he played the role of Mr Paravicini in the Australian tour of The Mousetrap.[3]
Music
He has played piano with the Melbourne, Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, being featured in concerts televised across Australia and the UK.
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Television
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Gerry Connolly Show | Various characters | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 1992 | Acropolis Now | Larry ('Wheel of Language' Host) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990–92 | Fast Forward | Various characters / Queen Elizabeth II | TV series, 53 episodes |
| Live and Sweaty | TV series | ||
| Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | TV series | ||
| Hey Hey Its Saturday | TV series | ||
| 1997 | Australian Story | Presenter | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | The Games | Himself (as Bob Hawke) | TV series, episode 9 |
| 1999 | Dog's Head Bay | Tony Du Clos | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2004 | Kath & Kim | Merrill Streep | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2007 | Spicks and Specks | Himself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2010 | Dead Gorgeous | Headmaster Griffith | TV series |
| 2015 | Open Slather | Queen Elizabeth II | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | Fancy Boy | Ian's Dad | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018 | Stage Mums | TV series, 4 episodes | |
| 2019 | Britain's Got Talent | Contestant (impersonating Queen Elizabeth II) | TV series (eliminated in 2nd semi-final) |
| 2022 | Irreverent | Minister | TV series, 1 episode |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Over the Hill | Hank | Feature film |
| 1993 | Joh's Jury (aka Police State) | Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen | TV movie |
| 1993 | A Royal Commission into the Australian Economy | Bob Hawke / Prince Charles / Geoffrey Robertson / Queen Elizabeth II | TV movie |
| 1993 | Camp Christmas | Queen Elizabeth II | TV movie |
| 1995 | The Search for Christmas | Himself | TV movie |
| 1998 | The Real Macaw | Lou Rickets | Feature film |
| 2000 | The Wog Boy | Father Murphy | Feature film |
| 2000 | The Magic Pudding | Dobson Dorking (voice) | Animated feature film |
| 2012 | Mystery of a Hansom Cab | Reginald Valpy | TV movie |
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| Year | Nominated work | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Gerry Connolly | Wallace 'Comedian of the Year' Award | Won | |
| 1999 | Arturo Ui | Green Room Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
| 2004 | Gerry Connolly | Mo Award | Male Comedy Performer of the Year | Won |
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