RAY O’LEARY
BIOGRAPHY
Comedian / Writer
The Kiwi comic known for his deadpan delivery and iconic grey suit, Ray O’Leary 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, The Cheap Seats, and SBS’ Patriot Brains, hosted by the UK’s Bill Bailey and Sue Perkins. He is a regular writer for The Cheap Seats. 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 will add to his TV credits as a contestant on season 4 of Taskmaster NZ.
In 2024, Ray will return to the live stage, touring the UK with Melanie Bracewell and returning to tour his new show, Your Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger, throughout Australia and New Zealand.
“A funny man. He’s got comic timing… Great, perfect timing”
– Matt Heath & Jeremy Wells, Radio Hauraki
“A gifted writer with that delivery that makes crowds lean in to listen, O’Leary’s living up to this show’s title and fast becoming a very strong comic indeed.”
- Chortle.co.uk
“Showed a supreme mastery of using repetition to its absolute perfection”
– The Ruminator
“Showed a supreme mastery of using repetition to its absolute perfection”
– The Ruminator
“Showed a supreme mastery of using repetition to its absolute perfection”
– The Ruminator