Michael Parr
Michael Parr | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 August 1986 Saint Helens, Merseyside, England |
| Nationality | British/American |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2008– |
| Known for | Emmerdale (2013–2018) |
Michael Parr (born 6 August 1986) is a British actor, known for playing the part of Ross Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. and Billy Parker in Hollyoaks.
Life and early career
Parr was born in Saint Helens, Merseyside. His mother is American and he holds dual US and British nationality, enabling him to work in the US without the need of a Green Card if he so wished.[1] He trained at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama in Saint Helens, and East 15 Acting School in Essex, graduating in 2008.[2] Prior to getting the part in Emmerdale, Parr worked between acting jobs as a Learning Support Assistant in a Special Educational Needs school. He had previously worked as a barman.[3]
Previous television appearances include Good Cop, Inside Men and Hollyoaks. Film roles include Queesnbury Rules, No Way Through, and Keiren in the 2014 film Territory.[4] Parr has also appeared on stage in various roles, including Justin in Studies for A Portrait at the Oval House Theatre and Danny in Twothousandandsex at the Drill Hall in London.[5]
Emmerdale
Parr made his first appearance in the ITV soap Emmerdale in July 2013, playing an unnamed man who carjacked regular character Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy). It was only after his return to the show in October 2013 that his true identity was revealed.[6] His character, Ross Barton, is one of three sons of James Barton (Bill Ward), and the nephew of regular character Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb).[7]
During his time in Emmerdale, Parr has been involved in a number of high-profile storylines, including an affair with policewoman Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth); taking part in a violent robbery at Home Farm; an illicit affair with his brother's fiancée (later wife), Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb); and secretly fathering a child with Debbie's mother Charity Macey (Emma Atkins).
On 6 August 2015, it appeared that the character of Ross Barton had been killed off after a violent confrontation with his brother Pete (Anthony Quinlan). Parr even stated on social media that he had left the show, and thanked fans for starting a petition to bring him back to Emmerdale.[8][9] However, on 25 August it was revealed that Ross was still alive, having survived the attack by Pete. He later sought revenge on his brother for the attempted murder, whilst beginning another affair with Pete's now wife, Debbie.
In October 2015, Parr won awards for Best Actor, Best Bad Boy and Sexiest Male at the 2015 Inside Soap Awards. Emmerdale also won Best Soap.[10]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Inside Men | PC Mayfair | Episode 3, Series 1 |
| 2012 | Good Cop | Adam Riley | |
| 2012 | Hollyoaks | Billy Parker | One Episode |
| 2013–2018 | Emmerdale | Ross Barton | Series regular |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | No Way Through | Soldier | |
| 2011 | Queensbury Rules | Liam | |
| 2011 | A Beautiful Impurity | Gobba | |
| 2014 | Territory | Keiren | |
| 2017 | Dark Ascension | 'G' |
References
- ^ "Emmerdale star Michael Parr: 8 things you didn't know about the St Helens actor". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Emmerdale: Michael Parr – I watch Ross and think, 'Is my forehead really that big?". Radio Times. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Teaching Assistant vs Actor: How can I do both?". Posted by Smart Teachers' Blog. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Michael Parr at the Internet Movie Database". Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Michael Parr at Mandy Actors". Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "'Emmerdale' unveils new regular Ross Barton in storyline twist". Digital Spy. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Meet the Barton Boys". itv.com. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ "Emmerdale's Michael Parr speaks out after Ross's exit: 'I'm sorry I had to keep it a secret'". Digital Spy. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Emmerdale's Michael Parr thanks fans for support after 'Bring Back Ross' petition". Digital Spy. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Emmerdale and Michael Parr storm the Inside Soap Awards". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 October 2015.