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| Peter Coonan |
Before winning the role (and the attention of a nation) of crazed Dublin criminal Fran ('The Man') Cooney in Irish television's dramatic juggernaut, 'Love/Hate', Peter Coonan was just another young Irish artist making his way in the fickle, sensitive and unforgiving world of acting. We caught up with him some time before 'Love/Hate' began its dominance of the Irish airwaves, when he was starring in an independent Irish movie called 'Between the Canals'. Peter, an affable, likeable individual with an obvious sense of humor and an incredible passion for his chosen career, was more than willing to sit down and satisfy our curiosity with the answers to a number of nosy, and indeed, personal questions.
Having made his feature debut back in 2000, in the acclaimed Brendan Gleeson/Brian Cox vehicle, 'Saltwater', Peter's since gone on to earn great reviews for his parts in the Oscar-shortlisted short film 'Shoe', 'What Richard Did' and 'King of the Travelers', as well, of course, as his role as Fran in the acclaimed Irish crime drama series, for which he's become a household name in Ireland.
In 'Between the Canals', an Irish crime drama written and directed by Mark O'Connor, Peter plays Dublin tough guy Dots Fennell, a young lawbreaker eager to enhance his reputation as an up-and-coming gangster. The film also stars Dan Hyland, Stephen Jones and singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey in his first acting role.
Peter, welcome to 'At The Mike Stand'.
By Mike Fitzpatrick
When's the last time you laughed out loud?
Just Saturday gone, when they were counting votes (in the Irish general election) and I saw so many politicians fall on their arses!
What act would you like to have seen perform live?
I'd probably say, The Stones in the early '70s.
What team(s) do you support?
I support Liverpool, Dublin and Ireland. My brother and I got into it way back when we were kids, and sure, you have to stick with your team!
What period in history would you most like to have visited?
Probably the 1920s, in New York, when the place was flooded with Irish.
What song would you most like to have written?
'A Day In The Life'.
Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Manchester United scoring against Liverpool!
What decade rules (and why)?
I'd like to visit the 1950s, to have seen what it was like when my dad was young.
What movie role would you like to have played?
Marlon Brando's part in 'On The Waterfront'.
Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
Yeah, yer man Sean Astin, from 'Lord of the Rings'!
What's the first album you remember buying?
Paul Simon's 'Graceland', the tape of the album!
Who's your favorite Beatle?
George.
What's your favorite Christmas song?
'Fairytale of New York'.
Who's the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
Oliver Reed or Richard Harris.
What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
Probably a band called The High Kings, it's Finbar Furey's son's group. They sing a few songs, they're pretty dodgy on one or two, but they're good on a few others!
Who would you most like to meet/have met?
The guy who played Fredo in 'The Godfather', John Cazale.
What book can you read again and again?
Probably 'Waiting for Godot', I know it's not really a book, is that a cop-out?!
What's the greatest album ever recorded?
Probably 'Revolver'. One of my favorite Beatles albums. Always go back to it when I don't know what to listen to.
What artists would be in your supergroup?
Let's see, I'd have either John Bonham, Keith Moon or Ginger Baker on drums, hmm, probably have to go with Bonham, then Rory Gallagher on lead guitar and Paul McCartney on bass.
What sitcom character can you most identify with?
I was going to say Smithy from 'Gavin & Stacey', but is that on over there?
What movie can you watch over and over again?
'The Big Liebowski'.
Who's your favorite cartoon character?
Daffy, no, Donald Duck!
What's the greatest place you've visited?
Vietnam.
What's mankind's most wonderful invention?
The teabag.
What's mankind's most irritating invention?
The iPhone.
Who's the funniest person who ever lived?
John Belushi.
Who's your favorite namesake?
Peter the Great! No, make that Peter O'Toole.
Who's your favorite character from literature?
Probably Leopold Bloom.
When's the last time you laughed out loud?
Just Saturday gone, when they were counting votes (in the Irish general election) and I saw so many politicians fall on their arses!
What act would you like to have seen perform live?
I'd probably say, The Stones in the early '70s.
What team(s) do you support?
I support Liverpool, Dublin and Ireland. My brother and I got into it way back when we were kids, and sure, you have to stick with your team!
What period in history would you most like to have visited?
Probably the 1920s, in New York, when the place was flooded with Irish.
What song would you most like to have written?
'A Day In The Life'.
Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Manchester United scoring against Liverpool!
What decade rules (and why)?
I'd like to visit the 1950s, to have seen what it was like when my dad was young.
What movie role would you like to have played?
Marlon Brando's part in 'On The Waterfront'.
Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
Yeah, yer man Sean Astin, from 'Lord of the Rings'!
What's the first album you remember buying?
Paul Simon's 'Graceland', the tape of the album!
Who's your favorite Beatle?
George.
What's your favorite Christmas song?
'Fairytale of New York'.
Who's the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
Oliver Reed or Richard Harris.
What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
Probably a band called The High Kings, it's Finbar Furey's son's group. They sing a few songs, they're pretty dodgy on one or two, but they're good on a few others!
Who would you most like to meet/have met?
The guy who played Fredo in 'The Godfather', John Cazale.
What book can you read again and again?
Probably 'Waiting for Godot', I know it's not really a book, is that a cop-out?!
What's the greatest album ever recorded?
Probably 'Revolver'. One of my favorite Beatles albums. Always go back to it when I don't know what to listen to.
What artists would be in your supergroup?
Let's see, I'd have either John Bonham, Keith Moon or Ginger Baker on drums, hmm, probably have to go with Bonham, then Rory Gallagher on lead guitar and Paul McCartney on bass.
What sitcom character can you most identify with?
I was going to say Smithy from 'Gavin & Stacey', but is that on over there?
What movie can you watch over and over again?
'The Big Liebowski'.
Who's your favorite cartoon character?
Daffy, no, Donald Duck!
What's the greatest place you've visited?
Vietnam.
What's mankind's most wonderful invention?
The teabag.
What's mankind's most irritating invention?
The iPhone.
Who's the funniest person who ever lived?
John Belushi.
Who's your favorite namesake?
Peter the Great! No, make that Peter O'Toole.
Who's your favorite character from literature?
Probably Leopold Bloom.
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