Rhys Darby

Rhys Montague Darby born March 21 1974 Height 5 ft 105 inches 179 m is a New Zealand actor and comedian whose infectious energy and quirky physical humor have endeared him to audiences worldwide Darby hails from Auckland New Zealand where he honed his comedic chops early on He served in the New Zealand Army before embarking on a performing career In 1996 he formed the comedy duo Rhysently Granted with Grant Lobban quickly carving a niche for their unique brand of humor Darbys solo standup routines characterized by vibrant storytelling mime and hilarious sound effects garnered him recognition and two Billy T Award nominations Darbys international breakthrough came in 2007 with the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords Playing Murray Hewitt the hapless yet enthusiastic manager of the titular New Zealand folkcomedy duo Darby delivered a scenestealing performance that earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase Since Flight of the Conchords Darby has showcased his versatility across film television and voice acting Hes appeared in films like Yes Man The Boat That Rocked and What We Do in the Shadows often injecting his signature comedic flair into supporting roles On television hes had recurring roles in shows like Short Poppies Wrecked and most recently Taika Waititis pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death Hes also lent his voice to animated characters in Voltron Legendary Defender and Moana Darbys comedic persona is a delightful blend of the absurd and the relatable He masterfully crafts stories about everyday situations inflating them with hilarious exaggeration and quirky observations His energetic stage presence and ability to create humor out of thin air make him a livewire performer both on stage and screen Beyond acting Darby is also a musician and writer He released his debut comedy album Rhys Darby Live in 2012 and has written for various comedy shows and publications