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Tom Vaughan-Lawlor on starting out: 'I did everything'

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor on starting out: 'I did everything'

RTÉ News​21-07-2025
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor has told The Brendan O'Connor Show about the early days of his acting career, recounting that he "did everything" to make ends meet.
The Love/Hate favourite is back home in Dublin to star opposite Brendan Gleeson, Owen McDonnell, Seán McGinley, and Kate Phillips in writer-director Conor McPherson's The Weir at the 3Olympia Theatre from 8 August.
While choosing his five favourite songs on The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday, Vaughan-Lawlor discussed his early years in London after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
"I did everything," he told the host. "Building sites, hotels, coffee shops, secretarial work, furniture removal, everything, gardening."
"But you meet the most amazing people who teach you amazing, amazing lessons," he continued.
"This time 20 years ago, I was working in a hotel in Euston, on the Euston Road. And I was grumbling about not having an acting job. And there was a woman there who was from Ethiopia who'd two kids, [aged] six and four. She hadn't seen her kids for two years.
"We were getting paid after tax, like, £200 a week. She was in shared accommodation. She was sending home 50% of her wages every week to her family. And she was amazing.
"She was fun and light and really hardworking. And I was kind of moping around, 'Oh, I don't have a job! Why won't anyone give me an acting job?!' And she was like, 'Oh, you know, I'm just doing my thing!'
"So you meet amazing people with amazing stories. In a way, I'm so grateful for all that non-acting work. You're living and you're seeing the world and you're meeting incredible people."
Looking ahead to The Weir at the 3Olympia Theatre, Vaughan-Lawlor said: "It's scary. As opening gets closer, you're like, 'Oh, we've actually got to get up and do this!'"
He said it is "a real honour" to be working with "great people" on "a great play."
"It's a joy to be in rehearsal," he added.
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‘Everybody loved him' – Tributes paid to RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks following death at 64
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RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63 after brief illness
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RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63
RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63

Extra.ie​

time4 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks dies aged 63

Broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks has died following a brief illness at the age of 63. The presenter was well-known to listeners across Ireland and the world, presenting RTÉ Radio 1's Arena since its inception in 2009. Seán also recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where he kick-started his radio career in 2000. Broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks has died following a brief illness at the age of 63. Pic: RTÉ After beginning his career in Lyric FM, Seán made the move to Radio 1 where he was widely regarded for his public interviews including with the likes of Edna O'Brien Roddy Doyle, Martin Sheen and Brendan Gleeson. RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst paid tribute, saying it was 'with enormous shock and sadness' that he learned of Seán's death. He said: 'The listener at home was always his focus. Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices. Seán Rocks also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the public service broadcaster, and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for BBC Radio 1 documentary, Soul of Ireland. Pic: RTÉ 'I want to extend my sincere sympathies to Seán's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.' The late broadcaster also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the public service broadcaster, and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for BBC Radio 1 documentary, Soul of Ireland. As well as his broadcasting career, Seán was a stellar actor and performed at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres across his career. As well as his broadcasting career, Seán Rocks was a stellar actor and performed at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres across his career. Pic: RTE In TV and film, he appeared in The Bill, Glenroe and Fair City. RTÉ Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said his 'passion or radio and the arts was infectious.' She said: 'He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage. 'He was full of energy and ambition for the future and is a huge timely loss to radio and RTÉ.' Ms Monahan added that Seán would be 'sorely missed by his RTÉ Radio 1 colleagues and his wider RTÉ family.' Seán is survived by his beloved Catherine and sons Christian and Morgan.

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