Dermot Morgan

Dermot Morgan was an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his role as Father Ted Crilly in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, which also starred Ardal O'Hanlon and Frank Kelly. Morgan's career spanned over two decades, during which he worked with notable figures such as Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, the creators of Father Ted. He was also a regular performer on RTÉ and appeared in various stage productions, including those at the Abbey Theatre and the Gate Theatre. Morgan's work was often compared to that of other Irish comedians, such as Dave Allen and Marty Feldman.

● Early Life

Dermot Morgan was born in Dublin, Ireland, to a family of Catholic parents, and was educated at Oatlands College and later at University College Dublin, where he studied English literature and philosophy. During his time at university, Morgan was involved in the University College Dublin Dramatic Society and developed an interest in comedy and acting, inspired by the likes of Monty Python and The Two Ronnies. He also worked as a teacher at Catholic University School in Dublin, before pursuing a career in comedy and acting, which led him to perform at various venues, including the Olympia Theatre and the Gaiety Theatre.

● Career

Morgan's career in comedy and acting began in the 1970s, when he started performing stand-up comedy at various venues in Dublin, including the Project Arts Centre and the Andrew's Lane Theatre. He later moved to London and began working as a comedian and actor, appearing in various BBC productions, such as The Live Mike and Alas Smith and Jones, alongside Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones. Morgan's breakthrough role came in 1994, when he was cast as Father Ted Crilly in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, which was created by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews and also starred Ardal O'Hanlon and Frank Kelly. The show was a huge success and ran for three seasons, earning Morgan a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA TV Award nomination, as well as comparisons to other successful sitcoms, such as Fawlty Towers and The Office.

● Personal Life

Morgan was married to Fiona Leader and had two sons, Rob Morgan and Ben Morgan. He was a self-described Catholic and was known for his liberal views, which were often reflected in his comedy and acting work, such as his appearances on The Late Late Show and Saturday Night Live. Morgan was also a fan of football and supported Shamrock Rovers, and was known to have attended matches at Tallaght Stadium and Dalymount Park. He was also a supporter of various charities, including Concern Worldwide and Trócaire, and often performed at benefit events, such as those held at the Point Theatre and the Olympia Theatre.

● Death

Dermot Morgan died on February 28, 1998, at the age of 45, due to a heart attack at his home in London. His death was met with widespread tributes from the comedy and acting communities, including from fellow comedians and actors such as Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, and John Cleese. Morgan's funeral was held at St. Mary's Church in London, and was attended by many of his colleagues and friends, including Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, as well as other notable figures, such as Bob Geldof and Bono.

● Legacy

Dermot Morgan's legacy continues to be celebrated in the world of comedy and acting, with Father Ted remaining one of the most popular and influential sitcoms of all time, often cited as an inspiration by comedians and actors such as Mitchell and Webb and The IT Crowd. Morgan's performance as Father Ted Crilly is widely regarded as one of the greatest in British comedy history, and he is often mentioned alongside other comedy greats, such as Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Morgan's work has also been recognized with various awards and nominations, including a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA TV Award nomination, and he continues to be celebrated as one of the most talented and influential comedians and actors of his generation, with his work remaining popular on BBC Two, Channel 4, and RTÉ. Category:Irish comedians