Pauline McLynn
| Pauline McLynn | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 11 July 1962 Sligo, Ireland |
| Medium | Television, film |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Genres | Character comedy |
| Spouse | Richard Cook (m. 1997) |
| Website | Official website |
Pauline McLynn (born 11 July 1962)[1][2] is an Irish actress, comedienne and author, best known for playing Mrs Doyle in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and Libby Croker in the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
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McLynn was born in Sligo but grew up in Galway. She studied History of Art and Modern English at Trinity College, Dublin, but was more heavily involved in Trinity's Dublin University Players, the college's drama society.[3] She graduated with an MA.[4]
[edit] Career
[edit] Acting career
Although McLynn was in her early thirties when playing Mrs Doyle, makeup was used to make her look far older to fit the character's profile. She received a British Comedy Award for her performances in 1996. The award was presented to her by Tony Blair.
Other televised appearances have been in sketches on Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and numerous panel shows, including Just a Minute, Have I Got News For You, and If I Ruled the World. In 1999, she appeared in the film adaptation of Angela's Ashes. She has also appeared in Jennifer Saunders' Jam & Jerusalem. In the late 1990s she was recruited to play Mrs Doyle for a UK advert for online Tax returns by the Inland Revenue and became infamous for the phrase 'Go Online'.[5]
McLynn also got an unusual opportunity during her only appearance on They Think It's All Over, the BBC1 TV show. Fellow guest panellist Gabby Yorath requested that she be allowed to take part in the Feel the Sportsman Round (which was unusual at the time as the team captain usually did this along with the other, regular panellist). Yorath was granted her request, and Pauline (who was on the opposing team) was offered the chance to don the blindfold herself and take part with her team captain Rory McGrath. She was only the third woman to do so at the time.
McLynn was critically acclaimed for her performance in the 2005 film Gypo, receiving an Irish Film and Television Award nomination for Best Actress.[6]
McLynn can be seen in Shameless, with the series showing on Channel 4 on 10 January 2011. In January 2011 it was announced that she had left the show, reportedly after a "difficult year".[7]
[edit] Writing career
McLynn is the author of seven novels. Her credits include 'Missing You Already', Bright Lights and Promises, Summer in the City, The Woman on the Bus, Right on Time, Better than the Rest and Something for the Weekend.
[edit] Personal life
McLynn has no children.[8] She is married to theatrical agent Richard Cook.[9] She supports both Aston Villa F.C. and Bohemian F.C.. She is a patron of the children's charity World Vision Ireland.[10] and is vice president of Friends of Innisfree Housing Association.[11]
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | British Comedy Award | Top TV Comedy Actress | Father Ted | Won[12] |
| 2006 | Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival | Special Mention: Best Video | Gypo | Won[13] |
| 2007 | Irish Film and Television Award | Best Actress in a Lead Role in a Feature Film | Gypo | Nominated |
[edit] References
- ^ PaulineMcLynn.com: polar The official Pauline McLynn website
- ^ PaulineMcLynn.com: Biography The official Pauline McLynn website
- ^ Aine O'Connor "Interview: Unexpectedly novel", The Sunday Times, 11 December 2005
- ^ DU Players
- ^ "Mrs Doyle in 'most annoying ad'". BBC News. 2002-01-03. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-545399-mrs-doyle-in-most-annoying-ad.do.
- ^ Pauline McLynn - Awards & Nominations
- ^ Ian Wylie "Shameless star Pauline McLynn quits show after 'difficult year'", Manchester Evening News, 23 january 2011
- ^ The Wright Stuff, 14 January 2011
- ^ Pauline McLynn: 'For Winnie the rule is: I talk therefore I am' – interview | Stage | The Observer
- ^ World Vision | Who we are
- ^ Friends of Innisfree HA - Friends of Innisfree
- ^ "Past Winners 1996". britishcomedyawards.com. http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/past-winners/1996.aspx. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ Shared with Chloe Sirene, Paul McGann, Rula Lenska, Freddie Connor, Olegar Fedoro, Tamzin Dunstone, Barry Latchford, Tom Stuart
