FOR decades, Marty Sheargold has been one of Australian comedy’s most recognisable comedic voices.
Whether it was breakfast radio, television appearances on Have You Been Paying Attention?, or more recently his scene-stealing role as Ray Gruber in the hit comedy Fisk, Sheargold has become a household name.
But as he brings his Red Card Tour to RPAC on October 10, the comedian says many people still don’t realise where it all started.
“People sort of go, ‘Oh, does he do stand-up?’,” Sheargold laughed.
“When really, that’s what I always did. That was my first job.”
The tour marks another chapter in a career that has taken plenty of unexpected turns.
Growing up, Sheargold admits humour became a survival mechanism.
“It was easier to be funny than be tough,” he said.
“When I was a kid growing up, you were either punching on or getting laughs. I went for getting laughs.”
Far from the confident performer audiences know today, he describes his younger self as “42 kilos and frightened of my own shadow”.
Ironically, radio was never part of the original plan, before a series of guest appearances on Triple M’s The Cage led to an opportunity in Adelaide in the early 2000s, and before long Sheargold found himself behind a microphone full-time.
“I just never got out of it,” he said.
“I couldn’t seem to get fired. I tried as hard as I could on numerous occasions.”
While radio made him famous, stand-up remained his first love, and after stepping away from the comedy circuit for several years, he returned in 2019 and discovered that even experienced performers can suffer from self-doubt.
“There were gigs where I’d drive home thinking, ‘What am I doing? I’ve never been funny. I’ll never be funny again.’ ”
Sheargold also remains grateful for the opportunities television has provided, particularly Fisk.
While Fisk has introduced him to a new audience, Sheargold said stand-up remains the backbone of his career and has sustained him through one of the most challenging periods of his professional life.
“The phone hasn’t rung in 14 to 16 months,” he said.
“Thank Christ I’ve got stand-up because if I didn’t have it, I’d pretty much be out of the business.”
The Red Card Tour takes its name from the controversy surrounding comments Sheargold made about the Matildas while on Australian airwaves.
Sheargold said audiences can expect stories about family, growing up, getting older and trying to navigate a rapidly changing world.
