Graham Norton
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Graham Norton, real name Graham Walker, (born on April 4, 1963) is an openly gay Irish actor, comedian and television presenter. He achieved fame as a broadcaster on Britain's Channel 4 and also through his role as Father Noel Furlong in the critically acclaimed television series Father Ted. Though he only appeared in three episodes, Norton's performance as Father Noel proved a massive hit with viewers.
Biography
Family background
Norton was born in Dublin, but because of his father's job continually moved around Ireland in his early years. His family finally settled in Bandon, County Cork, in the Republic of Ireland where he grew up as part of the minority Protestant community. His sister, Paula Giles, is politically active in the Irish Green Party, and was the party's National Spokesperson for Food and Agriculture in the late 1990s. She was put forward as a Green Party candidate in the 28th Dáil elections, but only managed to secure a mere 3.49% share of the vote in the Cork South West constituency.
Career
Norton's rise to fame began as one of the early successes of Channel 5 when he won an award for his performance as a stand-in host of the late-night talk show usually presented by Jack Docherty. This was followed by a comic quiz show called Bring Me The Head Of Light Entertainment, which wasn't well received as a programme but did further enhance Norton's individual reputation.
After this early success, Norton moved to Channel 4 and to host his own chat shows including So Graham Norton, V Graham Norton and The Graham Norton Effect. As a performer who is not only openly homosexual, but also naturally camp and flamboyant, it was here that Norton's act was fully honed as a cheeky, innuendo-laden joker who remained likeable, even to the less right-on among viewers.
His shows are devoted to interviews of celebrities and y conversations ensue. He generally precedes the interviews by asking questions of his audience members, for example: "Everyone stand up. Now sit down if you've never had a sexual experience with an animal."
He often phones authors of eccentric websites live on the show; often when they are fans of his guest. However, the addresses of the sites are no longer given out, as some of the owners have received hate mail and abuse in the past.
In 2003, he caused a national outcry among the more sensitive area of the media when, on his British show on Channel 4, he made a comedic reference to the recent death of Bee Gees singer Maurice Gibb. The Independent Television Commission investigated after complaints about this insensitivity were forwarded to them and eventually Channel 4 had to make two apologies: one in the form of a caption slide before the show, another from Graham in person. Also in 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. His Channel 4 programmes have won a record number of comedy awards.
He has interviewed many famous celebrities including Cher, Britney Spears, Sophia Loren, Elton John and Diana Ross.
In the summer of 2004, Graham moved across the Atlantic to start a new venture in American television. The Graham Norton Effect debuted June 24, 2004 on Comedy Central. In the midst of controversy surrounding Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance, Graham was wary of moving into the market. Yet, The Graham Norton Effect has got away with the same naughty, suggestive jokes that made his UK shows so popular. He then signed a huge contract to defect to the BBC on his return to the UK.
Considering the publicity surrounding his high-profile move to the BBC, he has not had much in the way of high-profile exposure during his time there, although in 2005, he began hosting the Saturday evening reality TV series Strictly Dance Fever and a new series The Bigger Picture with Graham Norton. It is widely expected that Norton will eventually become full-time host of a revived Generation Game. He is also soon to play a part in the 2006 comedy spoof Another Gay Movie in which he will be playing Mr. Puckov.
Norton has recently been involved in a high-publicity advertising campaign for the National Lottery as an animated stooge to a character based on Lady Luck, played by Fay Ripley. He has also advertised McVities biscuits.
Graham Norton once dated the infamous Scott Michaels of http://www.findadeath.com
TV appearances
- Carnal Knowledge (TV series, co-presenter)
- Father Ted (1996 & 1998 - three episodes as Father Noel)
- Bring Me The Head Of Light Entertainment (Host)
- So Graham Norton (1998-2002)
- Rex the Runt (2001)
- The Kumars at No. 42 (2001)
- Absolutely Fabulous (2002, as a toilet trader)
- V Graham Norton (2002–2003)
- NY Graham Norton (2004)
- The Graham Norton Effect (2004–2005)
- The Bigger Picture with Graham Norton (2005– )
Radio
External links
- [Graham Norton's website]
- [Channel 4]
- [Interview with Graham Norton] - Gothamist, October 2005
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