Andrew Startin
Encyclopedia
Andrew Startin is an Australian performer, impersonator
and television personality.
Startin first came to prominence in 1997 as a result of a video tape of him impersonating Sam Newman
being sent into The AFL Footy Show
in an attempt to win a trip to London. He won, and the incredible accuracy of his voice, expressions and mannerisms shot him to fame as he appeared four more times that year on The Footy Show, including one episode where he filled in for Sam Newman, after the controversial personality broke his leg.
In 1998, Startin split from Channel Nine
amid much publicity. He was to join Channel Seven
, and new football/variety show to rival Nine's The Footy Show. Live And Kicking provided regular guest appearances for Startin, as his career moved forward in leaps and bounds.
Startin has a vast repertoire of impersonations. They include football identities such as Bruce McAvaney
, Dennis Cometti
, Mike Sheahan
, Gary Ayres
and Leigh Matthews
; as well as media personalities the likes of Molly Meldrum, Rove McManus
and Roy Slaven.
After the demise of Live And Kicking, Startin has performed at various corporate functions and made guest appearances at public interest functions such as the Grand Final Breakfast. He has been a guest on Channel Ten's The Panel and was a member of the cast on Russell Coight's Celebrity Challenge, also on Channel Ten. In 2005 he appeared on The Footy Show weekly as part of a parody of Seven's recently demised show Talking Footy
. His most famous impersonation was of Gary Ayres
, using such phrases as "At the end of the day".
Impersonator
An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for someone to be an impersonator, some common ones being as follows:...
and television personality.
Startin first came to prominence in 1997 as a result of a video tape of him impersonating Sam Newman
Sam Newman
John Noel William "Sam" Newman is a retired Australian rules football player and current television personality. He is a featured presenter on the AFL version of The Footy Show.-VFL career:...
being sent into The AFL Footy Show
The AFL Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award winning Australian sports television program, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates.This show, which is dedicated to the AFL and Australian rules football, made its debut on 24 March 1994 at the same time as the other version which relates to the NRL and rugby...
in an attempt to win a trip to London. He won, and the incredible accuracy of his voice, expressions and mannerisms shot him to fame as he appeared four more times that year on The Footy Show, including one episode where he filled in for Sam Newman, after the controversial personality broke his leg.
In 1998, Startin split from Channel Nine
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
amid much publicity. He was to join Channel Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
, and new football/variety show to rival Nine's The Footy Show. Live And Kicking provided regular guest appearances for Startin, as his career moved forward in leaps and bounds.
Startin has a vast repertoire of impersonations. They include football identities such as Bruce McAvaney
Bruce McAvaney
Bruce William McAvaney OAM is an Australian sports broadcaster with the Seven Network, well-known for his commentary of Australian rules football matches as well as covering every Summer Olympic Games from Moscow 1980 until Beijing 2008.- Early years :The son of an Adelaide accountant, McAvaney...
, Dennis Cometti
Dennis Cometti
Dennis Cometti is a former Australian rules football player and coach for West Perth in the West Australian Football League and Footscray in the Victorian Football League but is best known as a commentator. In a career spanning almost 40 years, his dry humour and smooth voice have become his...
, Mike Sheahan
Mike Sheahan
Michael "Mike" Sheahan is an Australian journalist who specialises in Australian rules football. He is Chief Football Writer and Associate Sports Editor for the Herald Sun, a panelist on the Fox Sports program "On the Couch" and former Media Director for the VFL .Sheahan attended Werribee High...
, Gary Ayres
Gary Ayres
Gary Ayres is a former Australian rules footballer for the Hawthorn Football Club and currently the senior coach for the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victoria Football League.-Playing career:...
and Leigh Matthews
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond "Lethal Leigh" Matthews AM is a former player and coach of Australian rules football. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League from 1969 to 1985, coached Collingwood from 1986–1995, and coached the Brisbane Lions from 1999 to 2008...
; as well as media personalities the likes of Molly Meldrum, Rove McManus
Rove McManus
John Henry Michael "Rove" McManus is an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the self-titled variety show Rove, and is the owner of the production company Roving Enterprises...
and Roy Slaven.
After the demise of Live And Kicking, Startin has performed at various corporate functions and made guest appearances at public interest functions such as the Grand Final Breakfast. He has been a guest on Channel Ten's The Panel and was a member of the cast on Russell Coight's Celebrity Challenge, also on Channel Ten. In 2005 he appeared on The Footy Show weekly as part of a parody of Seven's recently demised show Talking Footy
Talking Footy
Talking Footy was an Australian rules football chat show appearing on the Seven Network.It appeared on TV from 1994 until 2002. The show was hosted by Bruce McAvaney in the 1990s, and included guests Mike Sheahan, Malcolm Blight and Leigh Matthews as regulars. It was screened on Monday nights at...
. His most famous impersonation was of Gary Ayres
Gary Ayres
Gary Ayres is a former Australian rules footballer for the Hawthorn Football Club and currently the senior coach for the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victoria Football League.-Playing career:...
, using such phrases as "At the end of the day".