Frank Kelly
Encyclopedia
Frank Kelly is an Irish actor
, singer and writer, whose career has covered television, radio, theatre, music, screenwriting
and film. He is best known for his role as Father Jack Hackett in the comedy Father Ted
. He is the son of the cartoonist Charles E. Kelly
.
(1969), escorting Charlie Croker (Michael Caine
) out of prison in the film's opening sequence.
He starred in the popular RTÉ
children's programme Wanderly Wagon
alongside Eugene Lambert
and Nora O'Mahoney from 1968–1982, playing a number of different characters and writing many of the scripts. It was Kelly's work on Hall's Pictorial Weekly
(1970–1982) which established him as one of Ireland
's most recognisable faces.
He memorably portrayed councillor Parnell Mooney, a send-up of a backwoods Local Authority figure in rural Ireland. Kelly won a Jacob's Award in 1974 for his work on the series.
In the early 1980s he featured in the RTÉ TV show for Learning Irish Anois is Aris at the end of the programme speaking in a telephone, gradually putting in phrases in Irish.
Kelly released a single, "Christmas Countdown", a comedy song based on the "12 Days of Christmas
" carol, (penned by Hugh Leonard
) which reached number 8 in the Irish Singles Chart
in 1982 and peaked at 26 in the UK Singles Chart
in 1984. He also released an album, Comedy Countdown, which featured a sketch taken from his weekday RTE radio show, The Glen Abbey Show. He appeared in the film Taffin
(1988).
, which aired originally in the United Kingdom in April 1995 and ran through until May 1998. Father Jack is an old and somewhat perverse priest who usually only says "drink!", "feck
!", "arse!", and "girls!" Also for one episode when three Bishops come for a visit, Father Ted Crilly teaches him how to say "yes" and "that would be an ecumenical matter" in order to prevent him from insulting them with crude answers.
For his role in Father Ted, it is claimed he wore contact lens
es (to show Father Jack's blank eye) and he said that people would not talk to him if he was in his Father Jack make-up.
's Desmond Doyle) in Evelyn
(2002). He appeared in the film Rat in 2000, a priest called Father Pickle in the TV series Lexx (2001), in series 4, episode 6 called The Rock.and also in the short film, Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom, in 2003. That same year, he had a major role as John Smith
, leader of the Labour Party, in the UK Television drama The Deal.
In 2007 he acted in the TG4
political drama Running Mate, about an election campaign. He also appears in the TG4 series Paddywhackery.
On September 29, 2010, it was announced that Kelly has joined ITV1
soap Emmerdale
, playing the role of Dermot, Declan Macey
's father. It was later announced that he was leaving the soap, after just five months of filming, because he missed his family in Ireland too much.
A regular Irish stage actor, Kelly has toured extensively in the U.S. and Canada. He does regular voice-overs and TV advertising work, and has appeared with Mr Tayto in the recent popular campaign for Tayto crisps.
in the 1970s-1990s. With Kelly playing the part of a culchie
called "Gobnait O'Lúnasa", they typically started with the sound of him putting coins in an old freckle coin box, and when the phone rang and was answered, his words were, "Hello! Guess who? Is that you Nuala?" Kelly would act the part of an English BBC
reporter interviewing rural inhabitants about local customs, such as watching bacon being sliced, or "ha-hooing" (shouting a Rebel yell
) competitions. Typically the village was called Ballykilferret and described by the BBC man as being in "the Republic of Eer-ah" (a mispronunciation of Éire
, designed to annoy purists). A compilation of his sketches was released on a CD in about 2000.
Tracks included the Ayatollah Ceili Band (a pun on the Tulla Céilí Band), Magnum Farce, Incoming Call, Festive Spirit, Hymn Of Praise, Call Of The Wild, Festive Note and Siege Mentality.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, singer and writer, whose career has covered television, radio, theatre, music, screenwriting
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is a freelance profession....
and film. He is best known for his role as Father Jack Hackett in the comedy Father Ted
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
. He is the son of the cartoonist Charles E. Kelly
Charles E. Kelly (cartoonist)
Charles Edward Kelly was an Irish cartoonist, and one of the founders and editors of the satirical magazine Dublin Opinion. His prolific contributions to the magazine were drawn in a variety of styles, from cartoony to illustrative.Kelly joined the Irish civil service as a messenger boy at the age...
.
Early career
His first ever film role was as an uncredited prison officer in The Italian JobThe Italian Job
The Italian Job is a 1969 British caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley and directed by Peter Collinson. Subsequent television showings and releases on video have established it as an institution in the United Kingdom....
(1969), escorting Charlie Croker (Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
) out of prison in the film's opening sequence.
He starred in the popular RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
children's programme Wanderly Wagon
Wanderly Wagon
Wanderly Wagon was an Irish children's television series which aired on RTÉ from Saturday 30 September 1967 until 1982. Wanderly Wagon followed human and puppet characters as they travelled around Ireland visiting interesting locations, rescuing Princesses and generally doing good...
alongside Eugene Lambert
Eugene Lambert
Eugene Lambert was an Irish puppeteer from County Sligo. He was owner of the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Monkstown, County Dublin....
and Nora O'Mahoney from 1968–1982, playing a number of different characters and writing many of the scripts. It was Kelly's work on Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly
Hall's Pictorial Weekly, Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator is an Irish satirical television series which was broadcast on Radio Telefís Éireann from 1971 to 1980....
(1970–1982) which established him as one of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's most recognisable faces.
He memorably portrayed councillor Parnell Mooney, a send-up of a backwoods Local Authority figure in rural Ireland. Kelly won a Jacob's Award in 1974 for his work on the series.
In the early 1980s he featured in the RTÉ TV show for Learning Irish Anois is Aris at the end of the programme speaking in a telephone, gradually putting in phrases in Irish.
Kelly released a single, "Christmas Countdown", a comedy song based on the "12 Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Although first published in England in 1780, textual evidence may indicate the song is French in origin...
" carol, (penned by Hugh Leonard
Hugh Leonard
Hugh Leonard was an Irish dramatist, television writer and essayist. In a career that spanned 50 years, Leonard wrote more than 18 plays, two volumes of essays and two autobiographies, one novel and numerous screenplays and teleplays, as well as writing a regular newspaper column.-Life and...
) which reached number 8 in the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
in 1982 and peaked at 26 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1984. He also released an album, Comedy Countdown, which featured a sketch taken from his weekday RTE radio show, The Glen Abbey Show. He appeared in the film Taffin
Taffin
Taffin is a 1988 Irish thriller film directed by Francis Megahy and starring Pierce Brosnan in the title role of Mark Taffin. It also featured Ray McAnally, Alison Doody and Jeremy Child...
(1988).
Father Ted
Kelly is best known outside Ireland for playing Father Jack Hackett in the comedy series Father TedFather Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
, which aired originally in the United Kingdom in April 1995 and ran through until May 1998. Father Jack is an old and somewhat perverse priest who usually only says "drink!", "feck
Feck
Feck has several vernacular meanings and variations in Hiberno-English, Scots and Middle English.-Modern Irish English:*Verb meaning 'to steal'...
!", "arse!", and "girls!" Also for one episode when three Bishops come for a visit, Father Ted Crilly teaches him how to say "yes" and "that would be an ecumenical matter" in order to prevent him from insulting them with crude answers.
For his role in Father Ted, it is claimed he wore contact lens
Contact lens
A contact lens, or simply contact, is a lens placed on the eye. They are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct vision, for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. In 2004, it was estimated that 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide, including 28 to 38 million in the United...
es (to show Father Jack's blank eye) and he said that people would not talk to him if he was in his Father Jack make-up.
Later career
In 1999 to 2001 Kelly starred in Glenroe as Maurice and played Henry Doyle (father of Pierce BrosnanPierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
's Desmond Doyle) in Evelyn
Evelyn (film)
Evelyn is a 2002 drama film, loosely based on the true story of Desmond Doyle and his fight against the Irish courts to be reunited with his children. The film stars Sophie Vavasseur in the title role, Pierce Brosnan as her father and Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies and Stephen Rea as supporters to...
(2002). He appeared in the film Rat in 2000, a priest called Father Pickle in the TV series Lexx (2001), in series 4, episode 6 called The Rock.and also in the short film, Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom, in 2003. That same year, he had a major role as John Smith
John Smith (UK politician)
John Smith was a British Labour Party politician who served as Leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his sudden death from a heart attack in May 1994...
, leader of the Labour Party, in the UK Television drama The Deal.
In 2007 he acted in the TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
political drama Running Mate, about an election campaign. He also appears in the TG4 series Paddywhackery.
On September 29, 2010, it was announced that Kelly has joined ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
soap Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
, playing the role of Dermot, Declan Macey
Declan Macey
Declan Macey is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale, introduced in an episode that aired on the 15 April 2010. He is portrayed by Jason Merrells.-Creation:...
's father. It was later announced that he was leaving the soap, after just five months of filming, because he missed his family in Ireland too much.
A regular Irish stage actor, Kelly has toured extensively in the U.S. and Canada. He does regular voice-overs and TV advertising work, and has appeared with Mr Tayto in the recent popular campaign for Tayto crisps.
Radio Comedy
Many of his popular radio sketches originated from "The Glen Abbey Show" on RTÉ Radio 1RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
in the 1970s-1990s. With Kelly playing the part of a culchie
Culchie
In Irish-English culchie is a term sometimes used to describe a person from rural Ireland. In Dublin, it is often used to describe someone from without the bounds of the 'M50' motorway. It usually has a pejorative meaning, but is also reclaimed by some proud of their rural origin, and may be used...
called "Gobnait O'Lúnasa", they typically started with the sound of him putting coins in an old freckle coin box, and when the phone rang and was answered, his words were, "Hello! Guess who? Is that you Nuala?" Kelly would act the part of an English BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reporter interviewing rural inhabitants about local customs, such as watching bacon being sliced, or "ha-hooing" (shouting a Rebel yell
Rebel yell
The rebel yell was a battle cry used by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Confederate soldiers would use the yell during charges to intimidate the enemy and boost their own morale, although the yell had other uses. The exact sound of the yell is unknown and the subject of much...
) competitions. Typically the village was called Ballykilferret and described by the BBC man as being in "the Republic of Eer-ah" (a mispronunciation of Éire
Éire
is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and the sovereign state of the same name.- Etymology :The modern Irish Éire evolved from the Old Irish word Ériu, which was the name of a Gaelic goddess. Ériu is generally believed to have been the matron goddess of Ireland, a goddess of sovereignty, or...
, designed to annoy purists). A compilation of his sketches was released on a CD in about 2000.
Tracks included the Ayatollah Ceili Band (a pun on the Tulla Céilí Band), Magnum Farce, Incoming Call, Festive Spirit, Hymn Of Praise, Call Of The Wild, Festive Note and Siege Mentality.