Shaun Micallef
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Shaun Patrick Micallef (born 18 July 1962, in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian comedian of Maltese descent. He currently lives in Melbourne with his spouse Leandra (whom he married in 1988), and has three sons (born in 1998, 2000 and 2002).
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[edit] Law school
He studied law at the University of Adelaide, where he was frequently involved in comedy revues and radio shows, often involving Francis Greenslade and Gary McCaffrie, with whom he continues to work. After practising as a lawyer for some years, and moving to Melbourne, he began to re-establish his interest in comedy and acting.
[edit] Early TV career
After early TV appearances on Theatre Sports (1987), The Big Gig (1989) and Jimeoin (1994), Shaun joined the cast of Full Frontal where his lunatic characters such as Milo Kerrigan, Nobby Doldrums, David McGahan and Roger Explosion, and his infamous send-ups of Italian male model Fabio, reigned supreme for three years (1994-1996). He also performed a memorable impression of Jerry Lewis as The Nutty Professor.
This led to his own 1996 special Shaun Micallef's World Around Him and three seasons of the award-winning The Micallef Program (1998-2001), which he co-wrote and produced with long-time writing partner Gary McCaffrie. The Micallef Program featured comedy skits such as Meatboy and the Annual Convention for Claustrophobics.
His early television comedy consisted of ridiculous characters and parody of real people.
On his radio show on Vega FM, he revealed that he played the popular children's character Humphrey B. Bear for a period of 3 weeks during the 1970's.
[edit] Television highlights
'The Micallef Program' was retitled 'Programme' and then 'Pogram' in each subsequent series. Since it wound up, there has been a sitcom Welcher & Welcher (2003), a tonight show Micallef Tonight (2003), a book Smithereens (2004), 'straight' parts on SeaChange (2000) and Through My Eyes (2004) and supporting roles in the films Bad Eggs (2003), The Honourable Wally Norman (2003), The Extra (2005) and Aquamarine (2006). Shaun is also (with McCaffrie) the creator of the BlackJack (2003-) series of telemovies starring Colin Friels.
In 2006, Micallef also became a popular recurring guest on hit Network Ten improvisational comedy show Thank God You're Here.
His later television comedy draws heavily on surrealism and Dadaism. Many of his scripted set pieces involve Non sequiturs, or feigned nervousness and incompetence as a host. For example, he may introduce a guest onto the set as though to interview him or her, and then sit uncomfortably with nothing to say to his guest.
He co-hosted the Logie Awards one year with Michael Crawford. At an awkward moment, Micallef apologised to Crawford, to which Crawford replied in a back-handed compliment that he encouraged 'new talent' (referring to Micallef).
[edit] Radio
In September 2005, Shaun began hosting the breakfast show on Melbourne's newest radio station Vega 91.5 FM, Shaun, Beverley and Denise, with comedian Denise Scott and television presenter Beverley O'Connor. In July 2006, comedian Dave O'Neil took over as host and the show was renamed Dave and Denise with Shaun Micallef.
[edit] List of works
[edit] Films
- Aquamarine (2006) - Storm Banks
- The Extra (2005) - Paul Ridley
- Bad Eggs (2003) - Premier Cray
- The Honourable Wally Norman (2003) - Ken Oats
- The 13th House (2003) - Sir
- Silly Billy Don't Touch That! (Unknown)
[edit] TV programmes
- Thank God You're Here (2006-) - Various (Semi-regular guest)
- Through My Eyes (2005) - Jack Winneke
- BlackJack (2003-) (writer only)
- Micallef Tonight (2003) - Himself (also writer)
- Welcher & Welcher (2003) - Quentin Welcher (also writer/producer)
- SeaChange (2000) - Warwick Munro
- The Micallef Program (1998-2001) - Various (also writer/producer)
- Shaun Micallef's World Around Him (1996) - Various (also writer/producer)
- The Glynn Nicholas Show (1996) (writer only)
- Full Frontal (1994-1996) - Various (also writer/producer)
- Jimeoin (1994) - Various (also writer)
- The Big Gig (1989) (writer only)
