Gary Cooke
NationalityIrish
Occupation(s)Actor
Comedian
Writer

“ I mean when we did I, Keano! – well that's the sort of subject matter that should be tackled in the Abbey. Seán O'Casey? That's the sort of thing he would have been writing about in his day, because at that time Saipan was the biggest, the most important, thing happening in the country."

Gary Cooke in a 2009 interview about Macbecks: selection of a quote which was included in the quotes of that year by The Irish Times.[1]

Gary Cooke is an Irish actor, satirist and writer who is one of the stars, on screen, of Après Match and, on stage, I, Keano and MacBecks. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of media personality Eamon Dunphy,[2][3][4][5] although he has also mocked Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and TV3 sports broadcaster Trevor Welch.

Cooke lives in Baldoyle.

Career

From 2005 to 2007 he starred as Dunphia the wood nymph (Eamon Dunphy) and Fergie the Hair Dryer God (Alex Ferguson) in the musical comedy hit I, Keano. On 31 January 2006, Cooke took part in a New Year's Eve special of Celebrity Jigs n' Reels. He plays one of the judges, Vernon Fentor, alongside Sean Gallagher and former EastEnders star Michelle Collins on the ITV/TV3 drama Rock Rivals. Filming of the series took place in Ireland.[6] He co-wrote the script for this year's[when?] Gaiety Pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

He co-wrote with Malachy McKenna and starred in the musical MacBecks at the Olympia Theatre.[7][8] David and Victoria Beckham were invited to the opening night but did not attend.[9] He contributed to a book of essays compiled as part of Tennis Ireland's 100th anniversary in 2008.[10] He co-wrote with Malachy McKenna a political version of Cinderella which was performed at the Gaiety Theatre in January 2009.[11] In 2010, he signed up with gambling company Ladbrokes as "world-famous Italian manager" Gino Stromboli.[5]

In July 2013 he took part in Celebrity MasterChef Ireland and was eliminated in week 1.[12]

Appearances

References

  1. ^ "Quotes of the year". The Irish Times. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  2. ^ John Meagher (3 April 2009). "Trap's the new Charlton for oh-so grumpy Dunphy". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  3. ^ Hilary Fannin (14 February 2009). "Don't cry for me Eamon Dunphy A tsunami of tears to drive the bailiffs away from our doors". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 January 2010. Anyway, as the conversation unfurled, Dunphy wept, like a prematurely wrinkled and indignant three-year-old faced with the prospect of bedtime, unleashing a persona so extravagant that he rivalled his own caricature as rendered by the brilliant Gary Cooke of Après Match.
  4. ^ Paul Nolan (4 July 2003). "Being Eamon Dunphy". Hot Press. Retrieved 31 January 2010. Cooke himself, of course, is perhaps best known for his ingenious interpretation of the Eamon Dunphy persona, which sees the famously belligerent broadcaster reinvented as a pouting, preening – indeed vaguely camp – media tart.
  5. ^ a b Catherine O'Mahony (10 January 2010). "Ladbrokes signs Aprés Match star". The Sunday Business Post. Retrieved 31 January 2010. Cooke, best known as the face of Eamon Dunphy in Aprés Match, plays the role of Gino Stromboli, a world-famous Italian manager who offers advice on punter s' selections.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "RTE's rival hits the right note with viewers". Irish Independent. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Interview: Gary Cooke and Malachy McKenna". TV3. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Star-studded turnout for Macbecks opening night". Irish Independent. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  9. ^ Caitrina Cody (15 January 2009). "Beckhams too posh to attend play premiere". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  10. ^ Paddy Hickey (26 November 2008). "Tennis: King justifies move to full-time". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  11. ^ Dick O'Riordan, and Sara Keating (4 January 2009). "Satirical twist for Cinders". The Sunday Business Post. Retrieved 31 January 2010.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Comedian Gary Cooke is first to get booted off Celebrity Masterchef". Irish Mirror. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.

External links

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