Michael Fry (comedian)

Michael Fry
Birth name	Matthew Dinneen
Medium	Internet comedy
Genres	Parody music

Matthew Dinneen,[1] best known by his stage name Michael Fry, is an Irish comedian, actor and musician.

Early life

The 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

Sketches

Fry 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

His 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

In 2022, Fry was cast in the BBC Radio 4 sketch show Parish is Burning.[16]

Personal life

Fry 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

1. Glennon, Nicole (23 July 2022). "Michael Fry: There's something really weird about calling yourself a comedian". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
2. "INTERVIEW: Navan comedian Michael Fry on his accidental path to fame". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
3. "Michael Fry: 'I've never done live stuff ever. It absolutely terrifies me'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
4. "Interview: Michael Fry, the accidental comedian". The Circular. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
5. "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.
6. Kent, David (9 December 2021). "Brilliant recap of 2021 by Irish comedian Michael Fry has people in stitches". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
7. "Michael Fry Leaves Fans In Hysterics With Annual Year-End Recap". 14 December 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
8. "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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. "Graham Norton To Host Amazon Prime's First Irish Original Series". LADbible. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
12. "Rising comedian Michael Fry opens up about iconic Derry Girls appearance - Extra.ie". 17 May 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
13. "Three iconic cameos and a packet of salt and vinegar - best bits from Derry Girls ep3". Lovin.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
14. Cole, Lauryn. "Comedian Michael Fry guest stars in Sorcha Richardson's video for 'Shark Eyes'". Hotpress. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
15. "Meet the gang from RTÉ sketch show No Worries If Not". RTÉ TEN. 8 September 2022.
16. Guide, British Comedy (18 March 2022). "Radio 4 orders surreal Irish sketch pilot Parish Is Burning". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
17. Townsend, Michelle (6 January 2023). "Michael Fry's Best Things in Life: Favourite movie, concert and holiday". RSVP Live. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
18. "Michael Fry on his return to the Irish language" (in Irish). 25 October 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
19. "WATCH: Michael Fry has discovered the perfect way to be an absolute dote to his Godmother Catherine". Her.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2023.