Started making people laugh at school and never really stopped trying despite becoming a soldier in 1991. Left the army in 1994. Went to university in 1995 and become famous for a comedy sketch entitled 'Things Rhys can do.' In 1996 i formed the comedy duo 'Rhysently Granted' with Grant Lobban. We became an overnight sensation in Christchurch after winning an open mic contest at Southern Blues Bar. We went on to entertain the masses at university and the local bohemians at the 'Green Room' performance cafe. We did two international comedy festivals and then i moved up to Auckland. Solo stand-up became my thing but i put a spin on it by being very physical on stage and using my theatrical strengths in mime and sound effects to tell stories by acting them out. In 2002 I moved to the UK to see how my act would go down there...
Website
rhysdarby.com; comedybox.tv
Influences
Life on Earth
Members
Rhys Darby, Bill Napier, Ron Taylor, Steve Wittle, Bryan Nesbitt, Murray Hewitt, Norman Stokes
TV Shows
2007 - Flight of the Conchords (HBO)
2007 - The Comedy Store (Paramount)
2006 - The Slammer (BBC1)
2006 - Comedy Gala (TVNZ)
2006 - Raymann is Laat (Dutch TV)
2006 - Mighty Truck of Stuff (BBC2)
2006 - And another thing... (ITV4)
2005 - Mighty Truck of Stuff (CBBC)
2005 - The Best of Reading Comedy Tent (ITV1)
2005 - The Comedy Store (Paramount)
2005 - Whos ya mate? (TVNZ)
2005 - 100 Greatest Cartoons ever (Channel 4)
2003 - Presenter, Weekend Backchat (Game Nation, Sky)
2003 - Presenter, Back Chat (Game Nation, Sky)
2003 - Raymann is Laat (Dutch TV)
2002 - Comedy Gala (TVNZ)
2002 - Billy T James Awards (TVNZ)
2001 - Comedy Gala (TVNZ)
2001 - Billy T James Awards (TVNZ)
2000 - Comedy Gala (TVNZ)
2000 - Pulp Comedy Special (NZ)
1999 - Pulp Comedy (NZ)
Films
Yes Man (coming Dec 2008)
The Boat that Rocked (coming May 2009)
Albums
Flight of the Conchords BBC radio 2 series
Rhys Darby's Interests
General
Robots, Space Ships, Time Machines, Jet Packs, The Future, Mini Subs, Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch, Sea Monsters, Giants, fairies, Paranormal Activity, UFOs, Aliens, Indiana Jones, James Bond, WW2, Vietnam, Helicopters (mostly Hueys), Fighter Planes (mostly WW2 ones), The Red Baron, Lazer guns, Free Style Dancing, Hard Rock, Surfing, Frizby, BBQs, Cold beers, Acting, Standup Comedy, Sketch Comedy, and Odd women.
Music
F.O.T.C,The Happy Ending, Tour of Duty soundtrack albums.
Movies
"the cat from out of space." have you seen that one? i even have the 3D reels for my viewmaster.
Television
After School with Olly Olsen, Jase the Ace and Thingee. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Secret Squirrel, The Hillbilly Bears, Atom Ant, Scooby Doo, Battlestar Gallactica, Tour of Duty, Miami Vice, The A team, Chips, Macgyver, Knight Rider, Streethawk, Mash, Mork and Mindy, Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show, Terry Teo (ah oh ah oh)
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand
Graduated: 1998
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Art Theory
Clubs: Comedy Club
About me: Hi there. I'm currently on holiday at home in Auckland, NZ. Going back to the US soon to shoot season 2 of Conchords. I am looking forward to my standup DVD coming out on Comedybox label for Warner in October in the UK and Australasia. Would love to perform in every town in the US I have been invited to by my myspace fans, but sadly have not enough time. When i'm not acting i'm doing stand-up comedy . When i'm not doing that i'm going on adventures with my wife Rosie and my son Finn.
I am counting the days until your shows at Caroline's...got tix for Sat. late show and Sun. night! Just booked my plane tickets last night, too! Yipee!
Will you be there, Rosie? Some Flight Attendants would love to hang out with you!
Hope you're having a monumentally spectacular week :D
