Brendan Grace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brendan Grace is an Irish comedian. He played the part of Murphy in the 1995 movie Moondance, and in 1996 he appeared in the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted as Father Fintan Stack.
Brendan Grace's work for children's charities has won him many accolades. Grace was appointed president of Ireland's Performing Artists Trust Society, and he also received an honour which was bestowed on him by former Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey, making him a Commissioner Of Peace in Ireland. Brendan's career has spanned over 35 years and he has worked with such legends as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Liza Minnelli. The late Mr. Sinatra referred to him as his "man in Europe".
Born in the heart of Dublin city in 1952, Brendan was raised in the lower working class section known as the Liberties. His father Seamus worked as a bartender and at other odd jobs to keep the family going. However, this proved to be not enough and as so many young men of this time did Brendan left school at 15 to start earning for his family.
At the age of 18 Brendan formed a band known as The Gingermen and toured the country of Ireland in what has come to be known as the showband era of the 60s. The Gingerman saw moderate success but did lay down the groundwork for what would be the most lasting and commercially successful entertainment career in Ireland. During a gig one night the band found themselves two members short and in an attempt to calm an anxious crowd Brendan was thrust upon the stage to humour them. That was it. His wit and razor sharp observations of daily life in Ireland immediately bought the crowd and since then he has been selling out venues worldwide.
In 1973 he married Eileen Doyle. Eileen was working as a typist at the time and went to see Brendan perform his cabaret style laugh riot that everyone was talking about. During the performance Brendan was drawn to certain audience members boisterous laughter. It was Eileen and they have been together since now with four grown children. Brendan now lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and spends his off time flying his beloved helicopter EI-LAF and appearing in his pub "Brendan Graces Bar" located in Killaloe, County Clare where he can often be found having a few drinks with his friends and fans.
