Ryan Molloy

Ryan Molloy is a British singer, songwriter and actor, who replaced Holly Johnson as the lead singer in Frankie Goes to Hollywood . He has also been successful in musical theatre, appearing in a number of hit musicals in the UK.

Originally coming from Monkseaton in Tyneside, Molloy moved to London to train as an actor. He attended The Poor School;and later also trained at the University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles and New York.

He began his musical career in the late 1990s, singing with a number of bands, including Ultra, supporting Jamiroquai and The Lighthouse Family, and almost made it as a soul singer in the US.

He appeared in a number of dramatic roles, including London productions of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Macbeth. In 2004 he gained a chorus role in the controversial production of Jerry Springer - The Opera. Molloy was a member of the original cast at the National Theatre, and went on to play the parts of the transvestite Tremont and the Angel Gabriel, for which he gained an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in the West End hit Taboo, playing Steve Strange alongside Boy George.

In October 2004 Molloy was chosen from 200 candidates as the new lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, appearing in a special charity show for The Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena, and on their subsequent tour.

An established songwriter as well as singer and actor, he spent some time in 2005 working with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics on the spoof documentary Platinum Weird, which also involved Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and Carmen Electra. He has also written new songs for Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

In 2006 Molloy starred in the role of Stuart in the touring production of Ben Elton's Rod Stewart musical, Tonight's The Night. He also appeared at Jools Hollands' Jam House Club for the Edinburgh Festival in August 2006, together with his band Suntan.

In March 2008, Molloy was cast as Frankie Valli in the West End premiere of Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre.

External links

* [http://www.ryanmolloy.com/ Ryan Molloy's Official Website]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3969225.stm BBC news article, October 31 2004]
* [http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/columnists/feature/theatre/display.var.774897.0.ryan_the_hot_rod.http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/columnists/feature/theatre/display.var.774897.0.ryan_the_hot_rod.php Interview with The Northern Echo, May 2006]
* [http://www.burnettgranger.co.uk/clients/ryan_molloy.htm Ryan Molloy - Theatrical agent's listing 2006]