Kevin Kennedy (actor)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Kennedy is an English actor, writer, producer, singer, and guitarist, best known for playing the bottle-lensed Curly Watts in ITV's long running soap opera Coronation Street
between 1983 and 2003.
).
and Andy Rourke
, who later played in The Smiths
.
Kennedy played the role of Curly Watts between 1983 and 2003.
After a short break from acting while recovering from alcohol addiction, in May 2000, Kennedy released a song and album named Bulldog Nation
with his band The Bunch of Thieves, on the RCA Records
label. The single peaked at number 70 in the UK Singles Chart
.
Kennedy returned to Coronation Street a few months later, before leaving finally in September 2003. In 2010, it was confirmed that he would return to Coronation Street to film scenes for its 50th anniversary DVD.
Kennedy was the writer and producer of the film Spanish Capers, which was released in 2005.
In an interview in July 2007, Kennedy said that with the right storyline, he would consider a return to Coronation Street.
Also in 2009, he appeared in a Daz
"Cleaner Close" advert, and played the part of ageing hippy Pop in the touring production of Ben Elton
's We Will Rock You
before joining the cast of the London production in 2010.
He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C.
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
between 1983 and 2003.
Early life
Kennedy was born in Manchester. He attended St Paul's RC Secondary High School. After that, he went on to study drama at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan UniversityManchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is a university in North West England. Its headquarters and central campus is in the city of Manchester, but there are outlying facilities in the county of Cheshire. It is the third largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student numbers, behind the...
).
Career
Kennedy was in the band Paris Valentinos, which also contained Johnny MarrJohnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
and Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke is a bass guitarist best known for being a former member of The Smiths.-Career:...
, who later played in The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
.
Kennedy played the role of Curly Watts between 1983 and 2003.
After a short break from acting while recovering from alcohol addiction, in May 2000, Kennedy released a song and album named Bulldog Nation
Bulldog Nation
Bulldog Nation is a pop song by former Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy.The opening lyrics to the song include:Here I am again today,wishing I could be a million miles awayfrom the pain of waking up,...
with his band The Bunch of Thieves, on the RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
label. The single peaked at number 70 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Kennedy returned to Coronation Street a few months later, before leaving finally in September 2003. In 2010, it was confirmed that he would return to Coronation Street to film scenes for its 50th anniversary DVD.
Kennedy was the writer and producer of the film Spanish Capers, which was released in 2005.
In an interview in July 2007, Kennedy said that with the right storyline, he would consider a return to Coronation Street.
Also in 2009, he appeared in a Daz
Daz (detergent)
Daz is the name of a popular laundry detergent on the market in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is manufactured by Procter & Gamble and is lower priced than P&G's main brand, Ariel...
"Cleaner Close" advert, and played the part of ageing hippy Pop in the touring production of Ben Elton
Ben Elton
Benjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
's We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
before joining the cast of the London production in 2010.
Personal life
Kennedy currently lives with his wife, Clare, and daughters Katie-May (born 2004) and Grace (born 2006). He also has a son, Ryan (born 1987), with his former wife, Dawn.He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
TV credits
- Dear Ladies (1983)
- Coronation StreetCoronation StreetCoronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
(1983–2003) - Comic ReliefComic ReliefComic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
(1988) - On The WaterfrontOn the WaterfrontOn the Waterfront is a 1954 American drama film about union violence and corruption among longshoremen. The film was directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Karl Malden. The soundtrack score was composed by Leonard...
(1989) - The Royal Variety Performance (1989)
- The Mrs. Merton Show (1995)
- The South Bank ShowThe South Bank ShowThe South Bank Show was a television arts magazine show, originally made by London Weekend Television , presented by Melvyn Bragg, broadcast on ITV and seen in over 60 countries worldwide — including Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States...
(1995) - This Is Your LifeThis Is Your LifeThis Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
– "Anne KirkbrideAnne KirkbrideAnne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...
" (1998) - Football Crazy (1999)
- Friday Night's All Wright (2000)
- Live Talk (2000)
- Top Ten (2000)
- Loose WomenLoose WomenLoose Women is a British lunchtime television programme, first broadcast in 1999 on ITV. It consists of a panel of four women who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip...
(2000–2007) - Stars and Their Lives – "Amanda BarrieAmanda BarrieAmanda Barrie is an English actress.-Career:Born as Shirley Anne Broadbent, Barrie attended St Anne's College, St Anne's on Sea. She then trained at the Arts Educational School in London and later at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School...
" (2001) - It Shouldn't Happen to a... Soapstar (2002)
- V Graham NortonV Graham NortonV Graham Norton was an entertainment programme shown on Channel 4 in the UK starring Graham Norton, broadcast every weeknight as a successor to the weekly So Graham Norton. It aired from 6 May 2002 to 26 December 2003. It featured celebrities who chatted with Graham and became involved in studio...
(2002) - Stars in Their EyesStars In Their EyesStars in Their Eyes is a British television talent show that ran on Saturdays nights from 21 July 1990 until 23 December 2006 in which contestants impersonate showbiz stars...
(2002–2003) - Russian RouletteRussian rouletteRussian roulette is a potentially lethal game of chance in which participants place a single round in a revolver, spin the cylinder, place the muzzle against their head and pull the trigger...
– "Boys v. Girls" (2003) - Weddings (2003)
- Today with Des and MelToday with Des and MelToday with Des and Mel was a British television series hosted by Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes. The show featured celebrity guests, phone-in competitions and chat between the hosts. It was produced by Carlton Television, at The London Studios...
(2003) - Astounding Celebrities (2003)
- Richard & JudyRichard & JudyRichard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club...
(2003–2004) - GMTVGMTVGMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
(2004) - This MorningThis Morning (TV series)This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
(2004) - TV's 50 Greatest StarsTV's 50 Greatest StarsTV's 50 Greatest Stars was a British awards show, broadcast as part of ITV's 50th birthday celebrations on 9 September 2006. The two 2 hour show was presented by Bradley Walsh.-Results:As voted for by ITV viewers.1. David Jason2. Morecambe and Wise...
(2006) - Doctors (2006)
- You Can't Fire Me, I'm Famous (2007)
- Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Sunday Drives a
- The Podge and Rodge ShowThe Podge and Rodge ShowThe Podge and Rodge Show is an Irish chat show, broadcast and produced by RTÉ, featuring the popular Podge and Rodge as hosts...
(2008) - The British Soap Awards 2008 (2008)
- Cleaner Close (Daz advert) (2009)
- Coronation Street Knight's Tale (2010)