#281: Ray O'Leary - Powering Through

Ray O’Leary is a comedian and writer. The Kiwi comic known for
his deadpan delivery and iconic grey suit, Ray has been nominated
two years running for Best Male Comedian by the New Zealand
Comedy Guild, and in 2022 he picked up a win for Best Joke and
Best TV Comedy Performance, after being nominated for Best TV
Comedy Performance the previous three years. Additionally, he has
been twice nominated for New Zealand Comedy Festival’s
prestigious Billy T James Award.


His razor-sharp wit has seen him perform across both sides of the
Tasman and tour sold-out runs in Christchurch, and Auckland &
Wellington as part of the New Zealand Comedy Festival. He has
also performed alongside top comedic talent including Flight of
the Conchords and Rhys Darby.


Ray is a staple on Australasian television screens and can be
seen on Ten’s Have You Been Paying Attention?, Thank God You’re
Here, Cheap Seats, and SBS’ Patriot Brains, hosted by the UK’s
Bill Bailey and Sue Perkins. He is a regular writer for Cheap
Seats, Have You Been Paying Attention? and in NZ, Ray regularly
appears and writes for 7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention and
much more.


Ray can be heard on the philosophy podcast Socrates Walks Into A
Bar, which won Best Comedy Podcast at the NZ Podcast Awards in
2022. He was also a regular on The Spinoff’s hit Dungeons and
Dragons podcast Waterdeep Mountain High.


In 2023, Ray made his Australian debut to sold out audiences with
his new show, Everything Funny All The Time Always and was
nominated for Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International
Comedy Festival. Ray continued a string of sold out shows
throughout New Zealand and added to his TV credits as a
contestant on season 4 of Taskmaster NZ.


In 2024, Ray returned to the live stage, touring the UK with
Melanie Bracewell and followed up with his new show, Your
Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger, throughout Australia, New
Zealand and Edinburgh Fringe Festival.


He is currently touring his new show throughout the UK, Australia
and New Zealand. ‘Laughter? I Hardly
Know Her’ is sure to be another smash hit for the comedy
legend in the two-piece suit and then, he can get back to passing
on the message he promised to keep.


We chat about being a part of the new wave of NZ comedy, Thank
God You’re Here, his magical suit, moving to Australia, jealousy
and insecurity, success, working in prison correction policy, Wil
Anderon’s kindness, nerves & anxiety, his comedy voice and
his master’s in philosophy.



Check Ray out on:


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayolearycomedy


https://www.facebook.com/rayolearycomedy


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjNiWfFOMy0K9Ukzo5RAwrA 


Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rayolearycomedy 

X/ Twitter: https://x.com/rayolearycomedy

Comedy tickets:
https://www.livenation.com.au/ray-o-leary-tickets-adp1406844


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