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 takes his Red Card Tour on the road, 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.”
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.’”
While Fisk has introduced him to a new audience, Sheargold said stand-up remains the backbone of his career and had 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.”
Despite the challenges, there is no bitterness, but instead a sense of perspective.
The Red Card Tour takes its name from the controversy surrounding comments Sheargold made about the Matildas while hosting radio.
Sheargold said audiences can expect stories about family, growing up, getting older and trying to navigate a rapidly changing world.
The Red Card Tour comes to Boonah Cultural Centre on October 23 with tickets via the venue website.
